Sighting in in summer, hunting in the fall?

[MD]

If I sight in my rifle when it is 24 degrees in August then go hunting in 10 degrees in September or zero in October or minus 10 degrees in November, will my rifle still shoot the same as it does at 24 degrees?

 

[sheephunter]

Really depends on the cartridge and load how dramatic the change will be. Run your load through a ballistic calculator and see. Just click on advanced in this one. http ://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/ballistics-calculator

 

[Codygp]

Depending on the calibre you shoot and the distance of the shot. You won't see your 100 m zero change much if any at all but the further the round travels , it will be affected differently than it was in the hotter weather when you zeroed. Depending on where you hunt as well.

 

[Yukidaruma]

Depends on your ammo as well, if you are reloading what powders are you using? some powders are very temperature sensitive! Also do you have a wood or synthetic stock? Wood stocks can change zero of your rifle in a short period of time if not free floated or bedded properly!

 

[Codygp]

Good point on the stock Yukidaruma

 

[Yukidaruma]

My synthetic stocked Tikka maintains it zero from one season to the next so long as I am using the same batch of reloaded ammo that I sighted it in for originally. What does change thou is the trajectory of my loads due to changes in air density as temperatures change.

 

[stubblejumper]

It varies with the load, and with the rifle, but a 34 degree C difference in temperature, can result in over 100fps difference in muzzle velocity, which can make for a noticeable difference in point of impact, especially at longer ranges.

 

[fiddler]

I always keep lots of loads with me. Fire test shots often, and double check with a few more shots if I bang or knock my scope. Its easy to staple a few targets to a tree to remove any doubt.