Winter Load Development

Boomer686

Boomer686

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So I am wondering.... is it worth it to do some load development in winter?

I usually do all my load development during our short summers but I am itching to find a "sweet" load for my .338LM and get a bunch loaded up now.

So.....Can I realistically develop an accurate load in -20C that will be as relatively accurate in +20C (I realize the POI will most likely change in summer). I also realize I may have to tweak my load little but I certainly do not want to start from scratch again in summer.

Any thoughts?

Regards,
 
I don't see why not. I'd use a powder that was less sensitive to temperature (Varget, Benchmark), and make sure I fired sufficient fouling rounds to warm up the barrel first.
 
Between shooting the rifle and and not shooting the rifle, shooting it is more educational with regard to what it likes.
 
I do most of my load development in winter. The biggest challenge is getting chronograph data, as my chrono readout doesn't work when it is below -15 C.
After load development then I check them in warmer weather. Since I am not trying to redline or beyond the load, there is rarely a problem in warmer weather.
Since most of my hunting is cold weather, it is the best time to work up a load.
 
Really only two issues; shooter seizing up, and powder temperature sensitivity. The suggestion to use a Hodgdon Extreme powder to minimize the temperature effect is a good one. See the graph in the thread posted by Kombayotch at the link below, and in particular the H1000.

Powder Temperature Sensitivity
 
I used to do my load development in the winter because that is when I typically hunt. BUT I have since changed to spring because I took out some of my old ammo to target shoot in +30 weather. I was only wearing a T-shirt and my rifle still had it's factory recoil block. I think I lasted maybe 10 shots before packing up and going home. I also bought a new recoil pad and switched to less temp sensitive powder( has nothing to do with your powder)
 
Ron AKA said:
....The suggestion to use a Hodgdon Extreme powder to minimize the temperature effect is a good one...
Click to expand...

Al-Sway said:
I do most of my load development in winter.... Since I am not trying to redline or beyond the load, there is rarely a problem in warmer weather.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight!

I plan on shooting in 5 shot strings (maybe use two warm-up spoilers at the beginning of each string??) so that should be ok...probably on a warmer -10 or -15 day.

I am using H4831SC which is in the extreme powder group from Hodgdon for minimum temperature sensitivity.

I am not looking for super hot loads either: Load data I have is 71.0 - 79.0gr of H4831SC pushing a 300gr SMK bullet with COAL of 3.600". I have done .5gr increments from 71gr to a max load of 78gr. I figure I should begin to find a sweet spot in there somewhere then tune it in 0.1gr increments.

After I nail this one I want to work up loads using 185, 200, 225 & 250gr target & hunting bullets.

Regards,
 
Ive done a bit of load development this winter but only because I was trying IMR 8208 XBR which is supposed to excellent as far as temp stability.

Ive chronied at -10 (chrony didnt' register after a while at -18) and will test again this spring.

RL-22 has been about the worst for me as far temp stability.
 
Boomer686 said:
I am not looking for super hot loads either: Load data I have is 71.0 - 79.0gr of H4831SC pushing a 300gr SMK bullet with COAL of 3.600". I have done .5gr increments from 71gr to a max load of 78gr. I figure I should begin to find a sweet spot in there somewhere then tune it in 0.1gr increments.

,
Click to expand...

My experiences with cases of this size, any differences in accuracy due to 0.1gr increment changes will be greatly overshadowed by environmental differences and shooter error. Don't read anything more into that statement other than I doubt you will have poor accuracy with a 0.2 grain increment and miss a sweet spot. IMHO, small changes in seating depth would be a better use of your time and resources.:)

Not like time at the bench is wasted time or anything, it's all good!
 
My experiences with cases of this size, any differences in accuracy due to 0.1gr increment changes will be greatly overshadowed by environmental differences and shooter error. Don't read anything more into that statement other than I doubt you will have poor accuracy with a 0.2 grain increment and miss a sweet spot.
Click to expand...

If I am developing a load,and accuracy changes significantly with a very small change in powder charge,I abandon the load altogether,as such loads are often inconsistent in changing temperatures.My hunting loads are stable enough,that I can add or subtract a full grain of powder,with almost no change in accuracy.
 
joe-nwt said:
..... I doubt you will have poor accuracy with a 0.2 grain increment and miss a sweet spot...

Not like time at the bench is wasted time or anything, it's all good!
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe. I plan on adjusting seating depth too once I get the best overall results with my powder / bullet combo. Load development in winter is a first for me so I just wanted to make sure I was doing all this for naught!!!

Shooting this weekend is a no go as AIR TEMPS will remain in the -32 / -38C until late next week. Thankfully though we do not have any wind!

Regards,
 
Just great.....Extreme Windchill warning in effect now.... Forecast calls for -40C air temps next 4 days straight with 30km wind this evening gusting to 50km all day tomorrow on thru to the weekend...and the wife wonders why I want to move to Arizona :mad:????

Regards,
 
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