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Cold =Bad Groups?
litetrigger
Member Posts: 320 ✭✭
Just got back from the range (cold 10 degrees) shot my 221 fireball rifle. It shoots 1/2" this summer. It went to 3" today. No, I wasn't shaking that bad, I had good holds. Same loads, bbl. is still free floating, screws are all tight. Scope is not loose. ???? anyone have any ideas? thanks
Comments
Temperature can also affect a steel barrel with expansion and contraction.
Using Winchester 680
Well that's a problem.
If you are shooting ?" groups in the summer, then you have the hold/breathing/squeese down pretty good, but
If you're shivering--BINGO, the slightest quiver in your hold will throw off the impact point up to 2/3 inchs depending on velocity--
Try the same loads in a better situation-ie warmer/no wind/SOLID hold/less pressure on the grip-etc
Good luck
[:o)][:o)] JIMBO
The 'sweet spot' is dependent on velocity and some powders will give some large variations in performance with temperature. If you are near max pressures in winter, best reduce charge for summer. So what worked well during 80 or 90 degrees won't at -10
Have you chronographed this load in the summer and then the winter?
(I would re-check at the warmer temps to MAKE SURE it's not something that has changed on the gun or scope and even try another scope first!
I've seen several rifles (you indicate yours is a pistol) of all different calibers have issues such as yours during cold weather or with a normal temp barrel the FIRST SHOT would not be at the same point as the following shots!
When I see a first shot off target, and when testing and reloading I change the bullet weight up and down first and retest and if the bullet weight change don't correct the first shot flyer I start changing powders. During the final tests I fire one shot to the same target with no less than 8 hours between shots! Also make sure the barrel is not copper fouled!
Ive seen some very accurate rifles (very accurate after the first shot or very accurate with a warm barrel) that would not place the first shot on target! This will be a test of your reloading and testing patience![;)]
If YOU are not the issue of the opened up cold weather groups you will PROBABLY need to change powder type or bullet weight or possibly both!
(I would re-check at the warmer temps to MAKE SURE it's not something that has changed on the gun or scope and even try another scope first!
I've seen several rifles (you indicate yours is a pistol) of all different calibers have issues such as yours during cold weather or with a normal temp barrel the FIRST SHOT would not be at the same point as the following shots!
When I see a first shot off target, and when testing and reloading I change the bullet weight up and down first and retest and if the bullet weight change don't correct the first shot flyer I start changing powders. During the final tests I fire one shot to the same target with no less than 8 hours between shots! Also make sure the barrel is not copper fouled!
Ive seen some very accurate rifles (very accurate after the first shot or very accurate with a warm barrel) that would not place the first shot on target! This will be a test of your reloading and testing patience![;)]
I'm sorry but I have to disagree with part of this. If your cold bore shot consistently won't hit the target at all.... You're doing something wrong.