Temp Stable

liltank

liltank

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Is there such a thing as temperature stable ball powders? I have a .308 build I am working on and think ball powders would give good velocity and load density, but wonder if I would be able to find one that is stable in a large range of temperature. The temp range would be spring through fall. That is about a 60 degree swing. I know I'm asking the impossible, but sure would be nice. Right now I'm playing w/ the idea of N150 and N550, which also puts me in the range for RL17. I'm also thinking about trying AA 2520 and IMR 4895.

I'm going to be loading a 155grn (strictly varmint and target. Thinking 155 Lapua scenar's or Sierra Palma) of some type, plus a 200 SGK (per Michele Eichle suggestions for LR deer work).

Should be a good load of info coming, can't wait to hear it.

Thanks guys,
Tank
 
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The word on the street is that the Montana Brand Ramshot powders are quite stable, although I use a good bit of it I still cannot say weather or not they have the "reported" stability; I just havent' had the opportunity yet. I can tell you that Ramshot Magnum is AWESOME in my 6-284, it's fast, consistent & best of all it's really clean.

Come to think of it... I used Ramshot X-terminator in a 22-250 pushing 40grn Barnes Varminator HP's to 4230fps, I shot in the heat of summer and the dead of winter without ever piercing a primer, splitting a case or having extraction problems... so in that rifle with what is obviously a "warm" load:D I can say that... well at least X-terminator is pretty stable.

I'd almost forgotten about that rifle....gun)
 
Outlaw6.0 said:
The word on the street is that the Montana Brand Ramshot powders are quite stable, although I use a good bit of it I still cannot say weather or not they have the "reported" stability; I just havent' had the opportunity yet. I can tell you that Ramshot Magnum is AWESOME in my 6-284, it's fast, consistent & best of all it's really clean.

Come to think of it... I used Ramshot X-terminator in a 22-250 pushing 40grn Barnes Varminator HP's to 4230fps, I shot in the heat of summer and the dead of winter without ever piercing a primer, splitting a case or having extraction problems... so in that rifle with what is obviously a "warm" load:D I can say that... well at least X-terminator is pretty stable.

I'd almost forgotten about that rifle....gun)
Click to expand...


Cool thanks, anybody else care to join the party?

Tank
 
I used H380 in the 220 Swift for many years. I Never noticed any change of impact point (out to about 500 yds anyway) from year to year with it. however, I never actually chrono'd it under extreme temp differences to say for sure if the velocity changed or not. Guess I never really cared how fast it was going as long as I was getting good precision and hitting where I aimed.

How far you plan on shooting???
 
Good point SBruce, I don't recall actually using a chronograph on my loads in extreme cold, I was just basing the stability on POI shifts & pressure signs.
 
Temps will essentially be 40-45 degrees in the spring, and will warm up to the 50's and 60's until the beginning of May. From May to about June I will see 60's to mid 70's low 80's. From June through middle of August it can go from 80 to 100 degrees. About August is when the temps start going back down in the same succession as the spring until about mid November. Even then we can still be in the mid to low 40's. So that is what I am looking at.

Tank
 
Well, once you get to know me, normal isn't in the vocabulary!:D I like pushing my gun. It has been fun and frustrating at the same time. I really want to see what a 308 can be pushed too. That is why I am leaning toward velocity with a high BC for weight bullet like the SMK Palma 155 and the Scenar 155. 1000 is the target, but farther out is what I really want to try and achieve. Otherwise I will have to go the the standby 175 Berger or 185 Berger and do the slow and lob process. :rolleyes:

Tank
 
For your 308 I have seen written here and Hodgon's website that Varget (through their tests they published--found it on their website) is their most temperature stable powder. Others with much more experience should corroborate. Page 8 of this link has 8f/s spread over a 125F spread in temperature...

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Hodgdon Basic Manual.pdf

However it is more complicated as I have read--that barrel temperature, caliber etc...all combine, to contribute to how sensistive a particular load is in a rifle.

Matt
 
Start out with 45.3 grs. Varget and see if you can work up to 47 grs. I coached Nancy Tompkins several years ago in Palma Practice at Ben Avery Range out in Phoenix and shooting the 155 gr. Palma bullet Nancy and the elevation she held from 1000 yards was about 1/2 the height of the X ring aka 5"!!
 
Sharpsman said:
Start out with 45.3 grs. Varget and see if you can work up to 47 grs. I coached Nancy Tompkins several years ago in Palma Practice at Ben Avery Range out in Phoenix and shooting the 155 gr. Palma bullet Nancy and the elevation she held from 1000 yards was about 1/2 the height of the X ring aka 5"!!
Click to expand...


Will do, is this a safe load w/ the 155's? I have some Varget I can try, just wanted to stay away from the horrible lot to lot adjustment issues.

Tank
 
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