Testing Ammo Temperature: Impact on Point of Impact and Accuracy

👍🏼....🤔rifle season usually is like a freezer...

@Casey the elevation I’m going to be at this fall is definitely gonna have some chilly nights. So many variables….

If you use single base powders they aren’t effected as much by temperature extremes. I use Hodgdon extreme powders. I see no difference on the chrono or group sizes when using it.

@Brandon yessir, that’s a fact. These are factory loads and I don’t know what they used so I figured I’d better test it out. I load shotgun and handgun, never bought the rifle dies. Maybe some day….

@Mike my findings are Remington uses some sort of proprietary ball powders in most of their cartridges.

@Brandon I can’t argue with the accuracy though. My spotter was laughing out loud on the 2nd and 3rd shot from the first group. What kind of consistency are you able to get in your velocity? That would be the biggest reason I’d look into hand loading. Even my best group varied by 49fps. I’m sure you do much better than that.

If I get very careful it’s usually 10 or so fps I hunt short ranges with a peep sight so pinpoint accuracy isn’t my main focus anymore. I enjoy the process and like the bullet selection I get doing it. I’m sort of an ammunition nerd lol.

@Brandon nothing wrong with that! Same here for me at home. My farthest kill is around 130 yds, most are within 75. I’ll be taking this out to Colorado this fall and I’m thinking 200 will likely be the closest I can hope for above timberline.

@Mike good luck out there. Elk Hunt ?

@Brandon thanks. This time is early rifle mule deer. Took me 20 yrs to draw this tag so I need to be as ready as possible.

@Mike absolutely. That’s great. Best of luck to you. I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures!

@Brandon 👍👊

I could of told you that without wasting ammo! All the factory ammo loads will do this! Some worst than others ! There are temp insensitive powders you can reload with to avoid this !

@Jonah I knew it would happen, just wanted to see how much affect it had. I’ll probably start loading my own even though I live in an area where center fire rifles are prohibited for big game.

I would if you taking any shots over 300yds

@Jonah appreciate the advice 👊

That’s a interesting observation! Though hunting applications wouldn’t be effected right

@Tim depends on the conditions. An all day sit during a Michigan blizzard could be an issue if you sighted in during the summer. I’ll be gaining over 11,000 feet and could get temps in the 20’s where I’m going so I’m definitely going to sight in again once I get to Colorado

@Mike Considering a kill zone is typically considered 8"?

@Tim yessir. But being off by 2” at 100 yds is at least 8” at 400, etc.

@Mike correct, if a 5 shot group is over 1.5” maximum @100yds prolly looking at a 8” group at 300 much less 400