Load development in hot weather

[bsmith]

The temperatures here are in the upper 90's. I've got to get going on a load my my son to shoot in the 25-06. I'm starting with 52 grains of RL22 and 110 gr Accubonds. Are there any tricks to working up loads in hot weather? How do you keep a sporter (Browing A-bolt) cool? I'll be firing 5 shot groups from 52 - 54 grains in .5 grain increments and then loading at the range in .2 increments around the best group(s). That means a lot of cleaning and a lot of waiting. Is there a safe way to cool a barrel quicker than just letting it cool by standing it up with the bolt open?

Thanks,

 

[JD338]

Go with 3 shot groups instead of 5. You can also use a rag with rubbing alcohol to wipe down the barrel. The alcohol will help pull out the heat and evaporate.

JD338

 

[OU812]

Go with 3 shot groups instead of 5. You can also use a rag with rubbing alcohol to wipe down the barrel. The alcohol will help pull out the heat and evaporate.

JD338

Good advise right there. With shooting 3 shot groups you should be able to get from 52-54 grains with out cleaning. Most guns shoot better with a fouled barrel anyway, well to a given point where accuracy drops off.

 

[Desert Fox]

Chronograph your load. Stay within +/- 25 fps of published velocity. Look for signs of high pressure like flattened primer or sticky bolt extraction. Fire no more than 3 shot group and, on a very hot days, wait 3 minutes for each shot. Goodluck DF

 

[REDGREEN]

You will find that your pressures will peak with a little less powder than book maximums in hot weather. This same load will loose a few fps if you use it in really cold climates. Don't go for published velocities eiither. Books lie! I have seen 300 fps difference between the manufacturers published velocities and actual velocity as fired across a chronograph. My loads that I did up and chronographed at -30 f are way too hot to be shooting when it's a nice 70 degree day. Each rifle is an individual with it's own personality.It's not uncommon for 2 rifles of the same caliber to have a couple hundred fps discrepency with the exact same loads fired through them.Find an accurate load,and then it's all in the operator's ability to place their shots well. Placement,not power kills game cleanly.

 

[Desert Fox]

Books don't lie!. When manufacturers developed and published their data, they do it with one set of condition... theirs. They make sure that their load conformed to SAAMI specifications. They can do it because they have all the sophisticated equipment to make sure their published data is safe and stayed within spec. They also understand that all rifle are not created equal either. This is the reason why you will find in every published data, a listing showing a starting load, all the way up to the maximum load. 300 fps difference in velocity between the manufacturers published data and your rifle is not unusual either. You have to understand that the cartridge components and rifle you're using is totally different than what the manufacturers was using when they developed their data. Do you know that some manufacturers use pressure barrel with probably tight chambering when they developed their data. That's why I like the reloading book published by Speer because they used factory rifles to do their load development. Shot placement is important but you do need that extra horsepower when shooting tough game. Why not have both? JMHO. DF

 

[bsmith]

Thanks for the info! I was worried about putting anything one the barrel while it was hot. We're going out late this afternoon. It's supposed to be a high of 78 and light winds.

 

[REDGREEN]

I agree with your observations 100% Desert Fox. I used the expression "books lie" for effect only. What works well in one set of parameters will usually not work well in another. Each rifle is an individual, and what works well for one will not necessarily work in another. Each one must be custom tailored to its own specifications. That's why you NEVER use someone elses handloads in your rifles. You could end up taking a trip to the morgue, or the plastic surgeon to get a new face.