Temp Sensitivity

[Gomer]

I will be in the Eastern Cape in August of 2027. Google says average highs of 72 and lows of 48. Where I live, I typically develop loads in the summer where temps are usually around 80 (at sea level). If that’s the case, I should be good if I settle on a load thats under max pressure here, right?

 

[KEC]

Yes Sir!

 

[matt85]

Most modern powders are pretty stable. You can find charts online for which powders are more sensitive.

 

[Gomer]

Most modern powders are pretty stable. You can find charts online for which powders are more sensitive.

What I am trying to do is eliminate temp sensitivity as a factor. The way I see it I either pick a temp stable powder and hope it’s best for my rifle, or develop a load at similar average temperature and use whatever powder that shoots best regardless of its temperature sensitivity. I’m more concerned with pressure.

The problem is, if I develop a load in July here, I have 3 months of practice time with that particular load if I am hunting at home. If I do the same next year, I will have a month before my trip. Currently, I’m practicing with cheap bullets of the same weight that I don’t intend to take with me.

 

[KEC]

There always seems to be a few powders that stand out in each cartridge for accuracy and performance. I will usually start with one of these powders that is the least temperature sensitive. Example: .308 win- H4895, Imr 4895 or Varget, I would try the H4895 or Varget first depending on velocity and pressure.

 

[matt85]

Unless your dancing on the max pressure line. The most sensitive powder available today will still be stable enough to be safe.

More likely, a temp sensitive powder could cause a POI shift or a reduction in accuracy.

 

[Russ16]

The temp differences you’re referencing aren’t enough to worry about.

 

[45-70guy]

You should be fine,
I used cfe223 which if you go by the “data” should be very UNSTABLE.
Loaded and tested a ton of rounds and by tons I mean a few 100. From temps In the 20’s to temps in the 80’s.

If you deep dive into temperature affecting powder especially in a hunting situation it seems once you get over a temp of around 100 or so then the swings really show.

 

[Gomer]

You should be fine,
I used cfe223 which if you go by the “data” should be very UNSTABLE.
Loaded and tested a ton of rounds and by tons I mean a few 100. From temps In the 20’s to temps in the 80’s.

If you deep dive into temperature affecting powder especially in a hunting situation it seems once you get over a temp of around 100 or so then the swings really show.

The temps where I live don’t fluctuate much at all. It maybe gets into the low 30s a couple weeks worth of days a year. Same number of days over 85. With 30-06/H4350/180gr jacketed bullets, I get 2825 in the heat of summer and 2775 in the coldest part of winter.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

You should be totally fine. I just took some loads with RL15 for my 500NE that I developed in May when 45-60 degrees, used during the summer when we’d see 70, and took to northwest Zimbabwe for most of October where we saw high temps several days between 112-116. Performed flawlessly…but also wasn’t loaded to max pressure. I did the same with my 450NE last year. Don’t push the envelope if temps will be higher, and of course can nudge closer if temps lower…but Africa seems a lot like my home here in Alaska. If you don’t like the weather, wait 15min.

I am also trying to lean into more temp stable powders for my doubles, like I do for my Alaskan hunting rifles where I may shoot at 75 degrees or 10 degrees and everything in between.

 

[Charlie64]

.

I think you are over analysing this one. Same loads you are using at home will work just fine all over RSA, whether Limpopo or the Cape.

Cheers

.

.