Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Pete112288 on January 24, 2025, 10:03:25 AM

Title: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: Pete112288 on January 24, 2025, 10:03:25 AM: So I am new to reloading. I got all set up after Christmas and loaded up 40 rounds. I have 4 rounds each at different powder levels. So 10 different batches that are increased by half a grain each batch.
I am all set up to take em to the range to test them out in my rifle.
My question is, does very cold weather change things too much to work on initial load development?
Right now it's high 20s to low 30s at night. Mid 40s to 50 high daytime. My only free time to shoot is between 9am and noon. So it is still pretty cold. My main hunting purpose for this gun is from August bear to October blacktail.
I was thinking I could find what charge works best now then fine tune it in spring and early summer.
For the best results, should i wait to even start?
Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: JimmyHoffa on January 24, 2025, 10:09:57 AM: Depends on how much of a spread you are comfortable with. Are you shooting 200 yds or 500 yds.
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: Mtnwalker on January 24, 2025, 10:16:28 AM: I wouldn't wait, winter is prime load development time. Use a powder that isn't highly temp sensitive and if you are pushing things near max be aware that your pressures can increase in the heat. Find a load that works and keep an eye on it as things heat up but I'm guessing you'll be fine if you're not hot rodding the heck out of it
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: Pete112288 on January 24, 2025, 10:29:03 AM: It's a 30-06. What I have loaded and powder on hand is Accurate 4350. Bear hunting I might get shots to 300 or 350 yards but average is under 200. Deer I rarely get shots past 100 yards. Every few years my dad and I make a trip to the palouse to hunt but I'm not worried about working on longer ranges at this point. My loads start at the minimum and stop a full grain under the max for my bullet and powder according to Hodgdon's calculator.
I would love 1 MOA or better at 100. But it won't take that tight of group to make me happy for my uses.
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: blackpowderhunter on January 24, 2025, 10:31:40 AM: 200 yards and a 30-06 shouldnt be much of a difference...but as said, pick a temp stable powder.
for example i load H1000 which is considered to be pretty temp stable. I can use that rifle in August for bear and October for elk...and october in idaho can be either 15 degrees or 65 degrees.
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: Mtnwalker on January 24, 2025, 10:43:18 AM: Quote from: Pete112288 on January 24, 2025, 10:29:03 AM
It's a 30-06. What I have loaded and powder on hand is Accurate 4350. Bear hunting I might get shots to 300 or 350 yards but average is under 200. Deer I rarely get shots past 100 yards. Every few years my dad and I make a trip to the palouse to hunt but I'm not worried about working on longer ranges at this point. My loads start at the minimum and stop a full grain under the max for my bullet and powder according to Hodgdon's calculator.
I would love 1 MOA or better at 100. But it won't take that tight of group to make me happy for my uses.

For the conditions you're describing I'd find a load you like and not give it another thought. Maybe re-check for pressure signs if you end up in super hot conditions but you're more than likely fine
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: jrebel on January 24, 2025, 10:53:07 AM: Work your load now and find something that shoots in these temps. As the year progresses, shoot in higher temps and look for pressure, velocity and POI changes. Make note of such changes and adjust accordingly. As long as you are not at max load.....you will be fine through the temps we see in WA.

This time of year is what I call my reloading season. I have the time and the range is empty. It also gives me one end of the temp spectrum at which I could be hunting. As spring and summer come around, I test the loads and see what changes I get and adjust.

Once you get a handle on this reloading.....it will become very addicting. Have fun and be safe!!
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: JohnVH on January 24, 2025, 11:13:28 AM: And if your'e doing subsonics, the speed of sound is slower in the cold! :tup:
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: jasnt on January 24, 2025, 01:59:50 PM: For what you’re doing the weather isn’t going to change much unless you end up on the ragged edge of pressure. Easy enough to test that now too with some hand warmers and a small insulated box of some sort to keep test rounds warm
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: HereDuckyDucky on January 24, 2025, 09:34:20 PM: I do most of my development in the winter. What others said, watch your pressures as weather warms and adjust accordingly.

RW
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: okie john on January 24, 2025, 09:35:58 PM: All of the various (Accurate, Hodgdon, IMR, etc.) 4350s are pretty much designed for the 30-06 and are not very sensitive to temperature. If you keep 180-grain bullets at 2,700-2,750 and 165s at 2,900-2,950, then pressures should be fine. From there, tune overall length for accuracy and you should be good.

Okie John
Title: Re: Load development in cold weather question
Post by: EnglishSetter on January 24, 2025, 09:56:36 PM: Just keep your ammo at the temp you expect to hunt in.

POI should be verfied in hunting conditions.