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Long Range Hunting & Shooting
Some guidance so I don't blow myself up...
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<blockquote data-quote="liltank" data-source="post: 326801" data-attributes="member: 13275"><p>When I am testing powders I look for a few things. Case capacity, velocity, accuracy, and temperature sensitivity. These all being equal would in essence stop the need for any other powder manufacturer, but they are not equal.</p><p></p><p>One powder may provide the best accuracy and case capacity, but not the velocity that you are looking for and temperatures might play with its ability to maintain accuracy. For example this powder (powder A) provides the best accuracy and case capacity in 40-60 degree weather. However when said powder is used at temps between 75-90 degrees (summer varmiting temps), pressure signs develop and accuracy falls off. In the reverse at temps from -10 to 20 degrees, pressures are reduced to much and again accuracy falls off because your velocities are slower. This is a theoretical powder, but it happens.</p><p></p><p>You want a powder that will fill the casing to a point that it is either just lightly compressed or compressed by the bullet. This is the best case scenario because it promotes consistent powder burn. This will also allow your bullet velocities to have as little deviation in speed as possible. You want a powder that will be consistent in the temperature ranges that you plan on hunting. </p><p></p><p>Case and point, I use RL17; at temps 40 to 60 degrees I need to increase my powder load. At temperatures of 68 to 80 I can load 61.5 grains under a 200grain matchking and expect a velocity of 2950 and good accuracy with a deviation in speed of 20fps average (slowest to fastest shot). The temperatures have cooled down and now my groups have opened up to an inch or so. Now I have to rework the load because my speed has dropped off, my pressures are lower, and my extreme spread in speed is now between 80 and 85 fps. This won't work for trying to hit something at long range. I want to stick with this powder because it is capable of giving me the speeds that I desire and have found that it will shoot accurately and consistently out of my rifle. </p><p></p><p>Scenario two is like this. With H1000 I can hold a very tight group and my case capacity is where I would like it to be, but it shoots 150fps slower than I would like. It gives me an extreme spread of about 8 fps. The RL17 is not giving me the case capacity that I want or the desired extreme spread, but it is still working well enough for me to give me something to work with. I know that because of the cooler temps I can increase my powder charge and gain my speed back as well. Pressure will be okay as long as I stay within my temperature ranges that I am adjusting for. It is very important to keep records of what you load and all the above information so that you can repeat the performance that you want. Another tip: if you find a powder that works for your rifle, try and buy as much as you can afford in the same lot number. Different lot numbers can produce different results even though it is the same powder. </p><p></p><p>Hope this answers your question.</p><p></p><p>Tank</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="liltank, post: 326801, member: 13275"] When I am testing powders I look for a few things. Case capacity, velocity, accuracy, and temperature sensitivity. These all being equal would in essence stop the need for any other powder manufacturer, but they are not equal. One powder may provide the best accuracy and case capacity, but not the velocity that you are looking for and temperatures might play with its ability to maintain accuracy. For example this powder (powder A) provides the best accuracy and case capacity in 40-60 degree weather. However when said powder is used at temps between 75-90 degrees (summer varmiting temps), pressure signs develop and accuracy falls off. In the reverse at temps from -10 to 20 degrees, pressures are reduced to much and again accuracy falls off because your velocities are slower. This is a theoretical powder, but it happens. You want a powder that will fill the casing to a point that it is either just lightly compressed or compressed by the bullet. This is the best case scenario because it promotes consistent powder burn. This will also allow your bullet velocities to have as little deviation in speed as possible. You want a powder that will be consistent in the temperature ranges that you plan on hunting. Case and point, I use RL17; at temps 40 to 60 degrees I need to increase my powder load. At temperatures of 68 to 80 I can load 61.5 grains under a 200grain matchking and expect a velocity of 2950 and good accuracy with a deviation in speed of 20fps average (slowest to fastest shot). The temperatures have cooled down and now my groups have opened up to an inch or so. Now I have to rework the load because my speed has dropped off, my pressures are lower, and my extreme spread in speed is now between 80 and 85 fps. This won't work for trying to hit something at long range. I want to stick with this powder because it is capable of giving me the speeds that I desire and have found that it will shoot accurately and consistently out of my rifle. Scenario two is like this. With H1000 I can hold a very tight group and my case capacity is where I would like it to be, but it shoots 150fps slower than I would like. It gives me an extreme spread of about 8 fps. The RL17 is not giving me the case capacity that I want or the desired extreme spread, but it is still working well enough for me to give me something to work with. I know that because of the cooler temps I can increase my powder charge and gain my speed back as well. Pressure will be okay as long as I stay within my temperature ranges that I am adjusting for. It is very important to keep records of what you load and all the above information so that you can repeat the performance that you want. Another tip: if you find a powder that works for your rifle, try and buy as much as you can afford in the same lot number. Different lot numbers can produce different results even though it is the same powder. Hope this answers your question. Tank [/QUOTE]
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