good cold weather powder.
02-19-2014, 04:55 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 44
good cold weather powder.
Question, what is a good powder that works well in ALL temps? I have always used Winchester 760, 748, in mild weather they shoot great but now that I am target shooting in Feb in MN not so good. Hornady rep said H4350 great all temp powder, any others?
02-20-2014, 03:57 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,780
I might be useful if you indicated what cartridge you are shooting.
As a general statement, for similar burning rate powders I have had good results in varied temps with H4831, IMR4831, and IMR4350. Other powders work very well for me, but these have been reliable.
Sometimes otherwise good powders have lot-to-lot variations that will cause inconsistent results. The only to tell for sure is to check speeds and SD with a chronograph.
As a general statement, for similar burning rate powders I have had good results in varied temps with H4831, IMR4831, and IMR4350. Other powders work very well for me, but these have been reliable.
Sometimes otherwise good powders have lot-to-lot variations that will cause inconsistent results. The only to tell for sure is to check speeds and SD with a chronograph.
02-22-2014, 03:01 AM
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: North East PA. but not home.
Posts: 743
Sauer14,
I been on the same quest for a good while! Now,with a ruff time finding powders, I have tried to adjust the loads to the Temp. Ball powder seems to be too hard to be consistent.
I've had the best results with stick powder,like H-4895,Varget,IMR-4064 and IMR-4895. In my 30-06's, the 4895's seem most dependable! In my 308"s,the Imr-4064 is all i load.
I am in Pa. and the temps really are up and down. I don't load for maximum velocity,but i do load for consistent groups. I do keep a record of temps and the group sizes for each rifle.
IMHO,different primers,in different Temps,can be a variable?
I been on the same quest for a good while! Now,with a ruff time finding powders, I have tried to adjust the loads to the Temp. Ball powder seems to be too hard to be consistent.
I've had the best results with stick powder,like H-4895,Varget,IMR-4064 and IMR-4895. In my 30-06's, the 4895's seem most dependable! In my 308"s,the Imr-4064 is all i load.
I am in Pa. and the temps really are up and down. I don't load for maximum velocity,but i do load for consistent groups. I do keep a record of temps and the group sizes for each rifle.
IMHO,different primers,in different Temps,can be a variable?
03-16-2014, 08:12 PM
#6
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 44
This is the OP, went out in Jan,Feb in MN (very cold) shooting my pet loads in 30cal with Win760, it seems like I was getting two explosions, KA-BANG not the usual single CRACK. Never experienced this before but I have never shot in this temp 10F. I have been told Win powder need mag primers for cold weather and this might be right. Groups were off slightly.
Went out couple of weeks ago with H4350 with my favorite bullets for this rifle, Hornady and I was impressed. Best 3 shot group ever with this rifle, and it was VERY cold. groups were constant, maybe the Hornady rep was right.
Went out couple of weeks ago with H4350 with my favorite bullets for this rifle, Hornady and I was impressed. Best 3 shot group ever with this rifle, and it was VERY cold. groups were constant, maybe the Hornady rep was right.
03-17-2014, 02:56 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: MICHIGAN
Posts: 2,568
I use IMR powders in all my center fires. the IMR 3031 is what I use for the 308 and soon the 220 swift.
IMR 4350 in the 243, 7mm08 and the 300 win mag.
Have been youte hunting in well below zero weather all winter with the swift loaded with IMR 4064 and it has worked even at a wind chill of 28 below. Windy days used the 243 and it didn't miss a beat either. Been a lot of windy days this winter along with the cold & snow .
Al
IMR 4350 in the 243, 7mm08 and the 300 win mag.
Have been youte hunting in well below zero weather all winter with the swift loaded with IMR 4064 and it has worked even at a wind chill of 28 below. Windy days used the 243 and it didn't miss a beat either. Been a lot of windy days this winter along with the cold & snow .
Al
03-17-2014, 05:20 AM
#8
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 360
Originally Posted by sauer14
This is the OP, went out in Jan,Feb in MN (very cold) shooting my pet loads in 30cal with Win760, it seems like I was getting two explosions, KA-BANG not the usual single CRACK. Never experienced this before but I have never shot in this temp 10F. I have been told Win powder need mag primers for cold weather and this might be right. Groups were off slightly.
Went out couple of weeks ago with H4350 with my favorite bullets for this rifle, Hornady and I was impressed. Best 3 shot group ever with this rifle, and it was VERY cold. groups were constant, maybe the Hornady rep was right.
Went out couple of weeks ago with H4350 with my favorite bullets for this rifle, Hornady and I was impressed. Best 3 shot group ever with this rifle, and it was VERY cold. groups were constant, maybe the Hornady rep was right.
03-22-2014, 07:49 AM
#10
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: northernwestern south dakota
Posts: 722
+1 for the imr powders, .223 is a tack driver with the 3031 and 50 gr v-max and cci #41 primers. 25-06 and .270 shoot 4831 very well as well. The only rifle I have that I do not shoot imr in is the 7mm rem mag. My pet load for that calls for 139 gr sst's and reloader 19 powder. when I start shooting reloads out of my 7.62x54R, I hope it will like the 3031 as well.
Last edited by sdhunter11; 03-22-2014 at 05:06 PM.
