Technical question regarding temperature and powders.

jtoews80

Handloader
May 19, 2007
919
15
To my understanding and experience, subzero temperatures will affect and decrease velocity with most loads to some degree. Particularly if you’re using a temp sensitive powder. However, what happens if your powder is at a conventional temp of something like 65-70F( 15-20C), but your bullet is travelling through air that is subzero or in the 0 to -30F (-15 to -25C) range?? Theoretically, ie according to Google, the cold air would be more dense and will also lower your BC, but you won’t have the 100-150 FPS velocity drop caused by cold components and barrel.

I’m thinking about modifying a small single axle atv trailer (6’x12)’ into a heated shooting blind for hunting coyotes and target shooting in our cold winter months. An Amazon diesel powered space heater that’s worth $300 can throw 8000 BTU and will easily keep a body comfortable when lying prone, likely for several hours if a person wants to be out there that long. Add in a couple layers of silver bubble wrap insulation underneath and a tarp and/or tarp with bubble wrap liner you’ve got a pretty decent chance of keeping rifle and ammo at summer temps and only having to fight with the BC differences. The biggest variable I can see will be keeping the barrel almost completely inside the heated environment and the temps semi consistent because having any part of the barrel exposed would tighten tolerances and throw your velocities all over the place.

Has anyone done something like this before??
 
How far will you be shooting typically?
The best thing is to just put a target at your max distance, and shoot it, under the same similar temperature conditions.
 
Go for it, why not. If the rancher who swore he would never sell to the yuppies had never sold to the yuppies I’d have a winter shooting shack at the back of the barn, but now it’s just not a safe thing to do.
 
How far will you be shooting typically?
The best thing is to just put a target at your max distance, and shoot it, under the same similar temperature conditions.
If I stick to the local range I’m capped at 300m or 330 yds, once the pastures are empty, I have access to 800 yds, but that’s always in winter.
 
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