Cpo1944
Member
Your shivering should make the powder measure more accurate.
Question about reloading when it's cold
- Thread starter Maddog 521
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Maddog 521
Member
I was hoping 55 to 60 degrees wouldn't make a difference.
joeintexas I'm in Weatherford and it's 18 degrees this morning. I sure miss that "Texas heat".
joeintexas I'm in Weatherford and it's 18 degrees this morning. I sure miss that "Texas heat".
oger
Member
The only problem I have had was with the Dillon primer slide. Had to put dry lube on it to keep it from sticking.
Powders have a pretty broad temp range. I have not seen charts on handgun powder but Hodgden extreme rifle powders show how much those can vary if at all. There must be some data on the web somewhere.
I do not think a 45 degree range will matter much.
I load in the AC house say 75 degress and in the summer go shoot and it's 95f out plus the ammo sits in a hot car or in the sun.
For rifle powder of this brand:
https://www.hodgdon.com/smokeless/extreme/page2.php#top
I do not think a 45 degree range will matter much.
I load in the AC house say 75 degress and in the summer go shoot and it's 95f out plus the ammo sits in a hot car or in the sun.
For rifle powder of this brand:
https://www.hodgdon.com/smokeless/extreme/page2.php#top
If you keep the moisture out of the powder and primers you will be ok.....however it does help if the components are near 50 degrees if possible...........I hate working with cold equipment.
Here in Nevada I notice a reduction in fps with my rifle, pistol and shotgun loads at 40 degrees and lower vs loads shot in the warm summer temperatures of 80 degrees or more.
I had a trap shoot where I use a light 1 1/8oz load at only 1145 fps and the shells sat out in the car for two hours before it was time for me to shoot.
The Red Dot powder in the loads had gotten cold enough where they might have been doing only 1090 fps and they did not have enough energy to break six birds at the 16 yard line.
The box of shells for the next round was brought into the WARM club house and spread over a table to warm up...........
I did not drop a bird in the next go round handicap, with these "Warm" shells.
Back in the 70's I had two misfires with my 270 ammo, hunting in two feet of snow and 30 degree weather............ this was solved by switching to a MAGNUM primer.
Yes some powders do not do well in cold weather........
Just have to be a little smarter than Mr. Winter.
Good loading.
Here in Nevada I notice a reduction in fps with my rifle, pistol and shotgun loads at 40 degrees and lower vs loads shot in the warm summer temperatures of 80 degrees or more.
I had a trap shoot where I use a light 1 1/8oz load at only 1145 fps and the shells sat out in the car for two hours before it was time for me to shoot.
The Red Dot powder in the loads had gotten cold enough where they might have been doing only 1090 fps and they did not have enough energy to break six birds at the 16 yard line.
The box of shells for the next round was brought into the WARM club house and spread over a table to warm up...........
I did not drop a bird in the next go round handicap, with these "Warm" shells.
Back in the 70's I had two misfires with my 270 ammo, hunting in two feet of snow and 30 degree weather............ this was solved by switching to a MAGNUM primer.
Yes some powders do not do well in cold weather........
Just have to be a little smarter than Mr. Winter.
Good loading.
fredj338
Member
Again guys, it's not the temp you reload at but the temp you develop the load at.
eyegots2no
Member
My question is---- WHY are you loading in the garage---it is cold out there?
CGM
Member
You guys need to move to Fl..... We wouldn't dream of going outside if it's below 60 and then, only if we own a parka!
No issue reloading in the cold, but remember when doing load development that the velocity will drop the colder it gets.
In example, I live in a hot climate so I get screaming velocities out of my handloads but when it cools off, so does the velocity:
200gr Speer Gold Dot 44 Special 8.6gr Power Pistol/Win primer/1.490″
Charter Bulldog 2.5" barrel
10 feet from F1 Shooting Chrony
105 Degrees
Avg – 1015 FPS – 457ft lbs energy
95 Degrees
Avg – 993.3 FPS – 438ft lbs energy
86 Degrees
Avg – 950.8 FPS – 402ft lbs energy
In example, I live in a hot climate so I get screaming velocities out of my handloads but when it cools off, so does the velocity:
200gr Speer Gold Dot 44 Special 8.6gr Power Pistol/Win primer/1.490″
Charter Bulldog 2.5" barrel
10 feet from F1 Shooting Chrony
105 Degrees
Avg – 1015 FPS – 457ft lbs energy
95 Degrees
Avg – 993.3 FPS – 438ft lbs energy
86 Degrees
Avg – 950.8 FPS – 402ft lbs energy
That's what I remember too.
What I forget is, was it 231/HP38 or WST, that when warmer, the pressure goes down? Cooler temps raise the pressure, against all logic.
I'm thinking that it was WST.
fredj338 answered that above, it is WST.
I seem to remember blue dot pressures would rise in cooler weather.
I used Blue Dot in Alaska in my .41 Blackhawk, and I never noticed any difference down to -30 F. Below that was too dang cold to be shooting.
Reloading when it's cold makes you cold; the powder could not care less.
Reloading when it's cold makes you cold; the powder could not care less.
ageingstudent
Member
Same for me...I sweat when they forecast heat!
Anything above 55-60 deg is too warm for me.
50-55 is perfect. There is nothing (except swim, and I don't swim) that you can't do in that range. Oh, and no sweat!!
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If at all possible I'd avoid loading in an environment that is unpleasant - or anytime YOU are uncomfortable. Reloading should get your full attention and when you are hot, cold or uncomfortable you might get distracted and make errors.
I doubt 45º F would make an appreciable difference in the performance of your loads but you might notice a degradation of your press's ease of use in the cold. Parts tend to move slower and stiffer and it could cause more friction and more wear on the press and brass.
You might want to move into a warmer room in the Winter or invest in a oil filled electric heater for your Garage. They are inexpensive, work well, safe and would make your reloading time and experience a lot more comfortable. It should be enjoyable, not an unpleasant chore.
I doubt 45º F would make an appreciable difference in the performance of your loads but you might notice a degradation of your press's ease of use in the cold. Parts tend to move slower and stiffer and it could cause more friction and more wear on the press and brass.
You might want to move into a warmer room in the Winter or invest in a oil filled electric heater for your Garage. They are inexpensive, work well, safe and would make your reloading time and experience a lot more comfortable. It should be enjoyable, not an unpleasant chore.
retired_diver
Member
In the military had to swin (with just wet suit) in 31 deg water for weeks during training. Yeah it was cold! The Mekong was alot warmer but had other troubles two legged and 4 legged.
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fredj338
Member
This is a bad idea. Any wet lube will just pick up grit. Take the priming bar out, smooth any rough edges with 600g paper, same with the slide area on the press. If you must lube it, use a dry graphite or moly, never oils or grease.
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