I know that some powders are prone to producing different results at different temperatures, but I'm not quite up to par on how much these differences can be. Here's my question, hopefully someone can fill me in.
Last week I was at the range testing some loads. I was alone except for one other shooter who I see there quite often. I was shooting one of my Ruger #1s and these particular rounds were loaded with RL-19. I was in the middle of a 5 shot string when the other shooter wandered over and started talking. I generally wait 3 to 5 minutes between shots and leave the breach open to aid in cooling. That was the case here, the rifle was sitting in a Sinclair benchrest with the breach open, BUT I had just inserted a round and was preparing to fire. I chatted with the other fellow for maybe 6 to 8 minutes, then he walked off and I turned back to the rifle. That's when the idea hit me, "this round had been sitting here in a hot chamber for close to 10 minutes, I wonder if the powder has heated up enough to affect accuracy?"
I closed the breach and took the shot. Sure enough, the POI was a good 1.5" to the left of an otherwise 0.640" group. The first 3 rounds were touching, the hot round was 1.5" off center, then the 5th round was right back in the group.
Now I realize there's an excellent chance my marksmanship was to blame, that would be the first explanation, but I really don't think so. The gun is a proven shooter, doesn't throw flyers, I'm shooting from a Sinclar rest with a ProTektor rear bag and everything is rock steady. The particular load I was shooting is an old favorite and always shoots true.
The only difference I can see is I let the cartridge sit there in a hot chamber for close to 10 minutes, certainly the powder had to heat up considerably. I never do this, my normal routine is to let the barrel cool a few minutes and only insert a round and close the breach when I'm seconds before firing.
I don't know if RL-19 is one of the powders that's reactive to extreme temp changes, or if those changes could be enough to throw a round 1.5" at 100 yds. Can anyone here help me out? Did hot powder cause my flyer, or am I just a bad shot? LOL.
Thanks, Bacova.
Last week I was at the range testing some loads. I was alone except for one other shooter who I see there quite often. I was shooting one of my Ruger #1s and these particular rounds were loaded with RL-19. I was in the middle of a 5 shot string when the other shooter wandered over and started talking. I generally wait 3 to 5 minutes between shots and leave the breach open to aid in cooling. That was the case here, the rifle was sitting in a Sinclair benchrest with the breach open, BUT I had just inserted a round and was preparing to fire. I chatted with the other fellow for maybe 6 to 8 minutes, then he walked off and I turned back to the rifle. That's when the idea hit me, "this round had been sitting here in a hot chamber for close to 10 minutes, I wonder if the powder has heated up enough to affect accuracy?"
I closed the breach and took the shot. Sure enough, the POI was a good 1.5" to the left of an otherwise 0.640" group. The first 3 rounds were touching, the hot round was 1.5" off center, then the 5th round was right back in the group.
Now I realize there's an excellent chance my marksmanship was to blame, that would be the first explanation, but I really don't think so. The gun is a proven shooter, doesn't throw flyers, I'm shooting from a Sinclar rest with a ProTektor rear bag and everything is rock steady. The particular load I was shooting is an old favorite and always shoots true.
The only difference I can see is I let the cartridge sit there in a hot chamber for close to 10 minutes, certainly the powder had to heat up considerably. I never do this, my normal routine is to let the barrel cool a few minutes and only insert a round and close the breach when I'm seconds before firing.
I don't know if RL-19 is one of the powders that's reactive to extreme temp changes, or if those changes could be enough to throw a round 1.5" at 100 yds. Can anyone here help me out? Did hot powder cause my flyer, or am I just a bad shot? LOL.
Thanks, Bacova.
