sugarmaker
Member
Thought I would see how 296 runs in cold weather using standard primers.
Load was from Hornady 5: 240xtp, 24.5 296, 1.61 oal, lee fact crimp (the collett kind). Primer was changed from wlp to cci 300. Note hornady does not spec magnum primers, nor does hodgdon list them for 44 296 loads.
5 loads, sw m69. Gun and ammo were taken from 43 degree basement and left outside at -6 degrees F, 4mph wind, no sun, for 20 min. Gun was then loaded and fired. Clean burn on all 5 shots, normal primers and extration. Unscientific opinion was the load ran about the same as at 40 degrees F. My intent was to get out the chronograph and do a more scientific test but its just too dang cold to lug things down to the shooting area. Personally I don't think ill worry about magnum primers with top end 296 loads any more. Lighter charges may be a different story but then I won't be using 296 either.
Load was from Hornady 5: 240xtp, 24.5 296, 1.61 oal, lee fact crimp (the collett kind). Primer was changed from wlp to cci 300. Note hornady does not spec magnum primers, nor does hodgdon list them for 44 296 loads.
5 loads, sw m69. Gun and ammo were taken from 43 degree basement and left outside at -6 degrees F, 4mph wind, no sun, for 20 min. Gun was then loaded and fired. Clean burn on all 5 shots, normal primers and extration. Unscientific opinion was the load ran about the same as at 40 degrees F. My intent was to get out the chronograph and do a more scientific test but its just too dang cold to lug things down to the shooting area. Personally I don't think ill worry about magnum primers with top end 296 loads any more. Lighter charges may be a different story but then I won't be using 296 either.