Bad weather load testing

BLS700 · October 1, 2008, 02:21 PM

My problem is more weather related than ammo related. I live in western pennsylvania and we are now starting to deal with fall weather. Which means that good days are few and far between. So here is my question, is it a waste of time to test ammo for the best powder combination on days that are less than desireable. For example, today is cloudy with a slight breeze, around sixty degrees and periodically spitting rain. i really want to test these new loads but I'm afraid if I keep waiting for a "good day" one won't come until sometime next May (maybe an exaggeration, maybe not). I have friends who believe in testing loads in a weather situation close to what you would hunt in and that sounds pretty reasonable to me. Personally I would think that as long as all rounds were tested the same day within basically the same conditions then it shouldn't matter. I'm shooting a .308 using 168 grain Sierra matchking's. Thanks for any input.

DIXIEDOG · October 1, 2008, 05:07 PM

I agree with testing under the conditions you are going to be using the rounds in. If you were going for your best itsy-bitsy group and it is breezy you are setting yourself up for disappointment. If you are setting up hunting loads that need to be within a couple inches you'll be fine.

mkg · October 1, 2008, 05:42 PM

BLS700, What range are you testing at ? 100yards ? If so a little breeze won't matter.

If you're trying to reach out beyond 300 the wind will become a major factor.

Mike

BLS700 · October 1, 2008, 06:49 PM

yeah I'll be testing them at 100 yards. Also, like I said previously a breeze doesn't seem to do much to a 168 grain bullet at that distance. Also, I probably should have noted I test off a tac driver sandbag not out of a vice (since I currently don't have one) so I'm looking for the most accurate group under those conditions.

mkg · October 1, 2008, 08:41 PM

I work loads off of a bipod because that's what I shoot off of.

Lock and load we're going to the range.

Mike

VaFisher · October 2, 2008, 08:28 AM

It hurts nothing to test loads in all conditions. When I travel to a different type of weather say from cool to cold and snow along with elevation changes it does make a difference but unless a wood stock is pressing against a berrel you should not see tons of changes. Year before last we went to Alberta to 40 below 0 temp's with tons od snow, both rifles stayed on zero even though it was a 110 deg temp change becasue it was in the 70's when we left VA.
Hope I didn't confuse your thinking.

Shoney · October 2, 2008, 10:28 PM

I would not advocate load development in the rain and wind. Either wait for the rain and wind to stop, or come back another day.

Having hunted in Montana ALL my life, I have found that loads developed at 60 degress will shoot very well at 20 degrees with little noticeable difference. The difference comes when shooting at zero and sub-zero temps. And even the temperature stable Hodgdon powders react differently at 30-50 below.

When I know that I will be hunting in sub zero weather, I try to refine my loads at around 20 degrees. I still find differences at 30-50 below. When you get into the sub-zero weather, be sure to sight in at 100, 200, & 300 yards so you know the score.

Although you should ideally develop your loads at or near the temperatures you will be hunting in, that is not always practical. Get as close as possible and don't look back!

Good Shooting!

CowTowner · October 3, 2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Lock and load we're going to the range.

At the range where I work, we prefer you get to the firing line prior to the lock and load part.

mkg · October 3, 2008, 10:52 AM

CowTowner,

I agree !

In my house it's meant as " grab your stuff , lets go" as it pertains to the range.

Mike

BLS700 · October 3, 2008, 12:10 PM

Thanks for the good advice. I've got a day that's just a little breezy and about sixty degrees so I'm going to the range. I'll see what works best and then go back when it's colder (around 20 degrees) and see what needs tweeking as suggested. This may be as good as it gets for quite a while here. Gotta love western Pennsylvania weather.

October 1, 2008, 02:21 PM	#1
BLS700 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 229	Bad weather load testing My problem is more weather related than ammo related. I live in western pennsylvania and we are now starting to deal with fall weather. Which means that good days are few and far between. So here is my question, is it a waste of time to test ammo for the best powder combination on days that are less than desireable. For example, today is cloudy with a slight breeze, around sixty degrees and periodically spitting rain. i really want to test these new loads but I'm afraid if I keep waiting for a "good day" one won't come until sometime next May (maybe an exaggeration, maybe not). I have friends who believe in testing loads in a weather situation close to what you would hunt in and that sounds pretty reasonable to me. Personally I would think that as long as all rounds were tested the same day within basically the same conditions then it shouldn't matter. I'm shooting a .308 using 168 grain Sierra matchking's. Thanks for any input.

October 1, 2008, 05:07 PM	#2
DIXIEDOG Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 265	I agree with testing under the conditions you are going to be using the rounds in. If you were going for your best itsy-bitsy group and it is breezy you are setting yourself up for disappointment. If you are setting up hunting loads that need to be within a couple inches you'll be fine.

October 1, 2008, 05:42 PM	#3
mkg Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2008 Location: NE TN Posts: 188	BLS700, What range are you testing at ? 100yards ? If so a little breeze won't matter. If you're trying to reach out beyond 300 the wind will become a major factor. Mike

October 1, 2008, 06:49 PM	#4
BLS700 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 229	yeah I'll be testing them at 100 yards. Also, like I said previously a breeze doesn't seem to do much to a 168 grain bullet at that distance. Also, I probably should have noted I test off a tac driver sandbag not out of a vice (since I currently don't have one) so I'm looking for the most accurate group under those conditions.

October 1, 2008, 08:41 PM	#5
mkg Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2008 Location: NE TN Posts: 188	I work loads off of a bipod because that's what I shoot off of. Lock and load we're going to the range. Mike

October 2, 2008, 08:28 AM	#6
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	It hurts nothing to test loads in all conditions. When I travel to a different type of weather say from cool to cold and snow along with elevation changes it does make a difference but unless a wood stock is pressing against a berrel you should not see tons of changes. Year before last we went to Alberta to 40 below 0 temp's with tons od snow, both rifles stayed on zero even though it was a 110 deg temp change becasue it was in the 70's when we left VA. Hope I didn't confuse your thinking.

October 2, 2008, 10:28 PM	#7
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	I would not advocate load development in the rain and wind. Either wait for the rain and wind to stop, or come back another day. Having hunted in Montana ALL my life, I have found that loads developed at 60 degress will shoot very well at 20 degrees with little noticeable difference. The difference comes when shooting at zero and sub-zero temps. And even the temperature stable Hodgdon powders react differently at 30-50 below. When I know that I will be hunting in sub zero weather, I try to refine my loads at around 20 degrees. I still find differences at 30-50 below. When you get into the sub-zero weather, be sure to sight in at 100, 200, & 300 yards so you know the score. Although you should ideally develop your loads at or near the temperatures you will be hunting in, that is not always practical. Get as close as possible and don't look back! Good Shooting!

October 3, 2008, 10:52 AM	#9
mkg Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2008 Location: NE TN Posts: 188	CowTowner, I agree ! In my house it's meant as " grab your stuff , lets go" as it pertains to the range. Mike

October 3, 2008, 12:10 PM	#10
BLS700 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 229	Thanks for the good advice. I've got a day that's just a little breezy and about sixty degrees so I'm going to the range. I'll see what works best and then go back when it's colder (around 20 degrees) and see what needs tweeking as suggested. This may be as good as it gets for quite a while here. Gotta love western Pennsylvania weather.