temp and load development

[cst]

what temp do u guys think is the best temp to do load development? I don't think a load at 40 degrees for example would be good for a load if I'm shooting at 95 degrees in the hot summer. I guess it wouldn't be too critical if u have a very temp insensitive powder..I plan on trying lever evolution

[LRRPF52]

With ball powders, you tend to see more variance over temp ranges, while extruded behave more predictably, with some exceptions.

If we're dealing with high energy content, like a nitroglycerine element in the powder, it can cause major problems at extreme low temps.

That is the problem developing a load in just one season, rather than developing loads over two seasons of the extremes. We want to know what a pressure ladder will look like in the summer, as well as the dead of winter if the load will be mass-produced and used throughout the year.

[cst]

anyone know how much velocity swing there is over temperature for ball powder like LVR?

[explorecaves]

With ball powders, you tend to see more variance over temp ranges, while extruded behave more predictably, with some exceptions.

If we're dealing with high energy content, like a nitroglycerine element in the powder, it can cause major problems at extreme low temps.

That is the problem developing a load in just one season, rather than developing loads over two seasons of the extremes. We want to know what a pressure ladder will look like in the summer, as well as the dead of winter if the load will be mass-produced and used throughout the year.

Still waiting for your results on CFE223…. LOL

[LRRPF52]

I know BjornF16 had some good results with CFE and the 129gr Hornady IB this winter.

We just finished the bench complex in my workshop today, so now I'm going to start moving things into the room once we get all the tools out. I'm looking at getting a lathe as well.

Anyway, I might have to place my ammo boxes in an ice chest for my "cold weather" testing of the same ladders with CFE.

[wiersy111]

Up here in frozen Minnesota I do just as LRRPF52 suggests. My shooting temps can vary from 95* down to -15* so once in a while I end up with some squirrely things happening. Most of the time I can work loads or try different powders to find a muli-weather load. The worst load I have had was a 257 Weatherby, I had 5.50" difference in point of impact from summer to winter. I just have to re zero for warm weather when I use it. I have been trying to keep my Grendel shooting to around 10* - 15* so far. Being new to the Grendel I am sure I will have to do a lot of load testing ant longer ranges to weed out the almost close enough loads.

These are my load development 4 shot groups, 100 yards at 10*, off to a good start.

[wiersy111]

I just realized I cut off the powder weight when I cropped the pictures. IMR 8208 with 123gr A-MAX on top. there is just over 1gr variation in these 4 loads. Worst part is you can see a flyer in each group.

[explorecaves]

I know BjornF16 had some good results with CFE and the 129gr Hornady IB this winter.

We just finished the bench complex in my workshop today, so now I'm going to start moving things into the room once we get all the tools out. I'm looking at getting a lathe as well.

Anyway, I might have to place my ammo boxes in an ice chest for my "cold weather" testing of the same ladders with CFE.

I know you have been busy getting the new digs set up. Just a little gentle teasing on my end. I just found a couple pounds of CFE and another pound of 8202 to play with after I get the grendel finished.

[waveslayer]

I just realized I cut off the powder weight when I cropped the pictures. IMR 8208 with 123gr A-MAX on top. there is just over 1gr variation in these 4 loads. Worst part is you can see a flyer in each group.

What charge weight are you using and seating depth? Also, what primers?

[wiersy111]

I never thought I would be sharing my shot group, I just took the pictures to show off to a buddy.

Here are the shot groups with labels like they should have been cropped.

All loads are IMR 8208
Remington Small Riffle Primers
Hornady 123 A-MAX seated at 2.250.

The two confirmation groups were 6 shot groups.

[NugginFutz]

Great Googely Moogely! Confirmation groups say it all. Nice Groups! Nice Shooting!

Now, lets see what happens when you shoot past 25 yards! (J/K)

[wiersy111]

LOL. I just hope I can do it again, that was the best shooting I have done in a long time. I guess frozen fingers do help.