Temperature

Bob A · September 19, 1999, 10:25 AM

Does anyone know if there are any adverse effects of freezing temperature on factory ammunition? I know moisture is a culprit.
Thanks, Bob

Art Eatman · September 19, 1999, 04:40 PM

Freezing, as in left in freezing temperatures for a winter's storage?

About all I can say about temperatures and loaded ammo is if you work up a max load at, say, 70 degrees ambient during your shooting/testing, they'll shoot a bit lower in cold-weather hunting, and maybe flatten primers on a hot summer day. Generally, unless you're pushing the envelope the latter is not really a problem. The first case might cause a low shot on that 6x6 elk.

I have read--and believe--that storage of your ammo or reloading powder in 90 to 100 degree temperatures for a long time is detrimental; the chemical decay reduces the power. But cold? I don't know, but I don't think it would hurt, from a chemical decay standpoint.

I'll defer to anybody who's more up on it...

FWIW, Art

Bob A · September 23, 1999, 09:37 AM

Thanks, I live in usually around freezing temps during winter, but it can dip for a month or so to 5-10 degrees. I presfer keeping ammo in the garage for room sake but I haven't yet.
Thanks, Bob

zot · September 24, 1999, 12:19 AM

I've left ammo in truck overnight in freezing
temps and when brought inside it sweated,
I'm sure extreme temps could cause excessive
pressure,but I wonder if shooting ammo that
is frozen what would happen, must have happened in many wars, but they do collect
moisture when unfroze,:}

September 19, 1999, 10:25 AM	#1
Bob A Junior Member Join Date: September 11, 1999 Posts: 6	Does anyone know if there are any adverse effects of freezing temperature on factory ammunition? I know moisture is a culprit. Thanks, Bob

September 19, 1999, 04:40 PM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Freezing, as in left in freezing temperatures for a winter's storage? About all I can say about temperatures and loaded ammo is if you work up a max load at, say, 70 degrees ambient during your shooting/testing, they'll shoot a bit lower in cold-weather hunting, and maybe flatten primers on a hot summer day. Generally, unless you're pushing the envelope the latter is not really a problem. The first case might cause a low shot on that 6x6 elk. I have read--and believe--that storage of your ammo or reloading powder in 90 to 100 degree temperatures for a long time is detrimental; the chemical decay reduces the power. But cold? I don't know, but I don't think it would hurt, from a chemical decay standpoint. I'll defer to anybody who's more up on it... FWIW, Art

September 23, 1999, 09:37 AM	#3
Bob A Junior Member Join Date: September 11, 1999 Posts: 6	Thanks, I live in usually around freezing temps during winter, but it can dip for a month or so to 5-10 degrees. I presfer keeping ammo in the garage for room sake but I haven't yet. Thanks, Bob

September 24, 1999, 12:19 AM	#4
zot Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 566	I've left ammo in truck overnight in freezing temps and when brought inside it sweated, I'm sure extreme temps could cause excessive pressure,but I wonder if shooting ammo that is frozen what would happen, must have happened in many wars, but they do collect moisture when unfroze,:}