Weather conditions on shooting?

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15 years 4 months ago #2346 by BUILDING MY SASS
Weather conditions on shooting? was created by BUILDING MY SASS
Ok, I have read on how temperature and humidity can play a big part on the accuracy of a bullet. I know the warmer and thicker the air is the more effect on the BC it will have (I hope I put that right), but how does Cold effect the BC or just plain accuracy? Being I live in Nebraska, winter is finally starting to set in, being I am about to finish my first batch of reloads, I am just curious as to what to expect with the cold as having an effect on my shooting, rounds and gun.
I have to admit, I am somewhat a "fair weather" shooter, but I plan to change that this year, I am not going to sit all winter oiling my weapon and grinding my teeth....LOL.
So any input from you veteran shooters would be appreciated.
Thanks much.....
BMS

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15 years 3 months ago #2362 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:Weather conditions on shooting?
I guess after what Zfk55 told me about shooting in the cold and getting out there, I will answer my own question.
Cold definitely does have an effect on shooting.....
It seemed after a few rounds it would come into the right grouping area, one the gun heated up....
I am perplexed as to why I was shooting six inches low, maybe it was me, to start. It is hard to imagine that the cold would have that much effect on the point of impact...
My scope was sighted in for 168 gr Hornady A-Max, and usually when I shoot the 150 gr I am an inch or two low...
I know it wasn't my scope, nothing has changed since September's shoot. Will have to figure this one out I guess..
BMS

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15 years 3 months ago - 15 years 3 months ago #2367 by zfk55
Replied by zfk55 on topic Re:Weather conditions on shooting?
BMS, how does all steel react to extremely cold temperatures? Particularly heavy barrels that act as heat sinks also can do the converse in very low temps.
You were shooting at 13 degrees, most certainly enough to cause the typical reaction of all steel to low temps and change the POI, and that would be typically lower because................... ?

zfk55
Last edit: 15 years 3 months ago by zfk55.

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15 years 3 months ago #2372 by HardCase
Replied by HardCase on topic Re:Weather conditions on shooting?
Cold affects velocity somewhat, colder=slower, hotter=faster, and definitely has an effect on the metal parts too, but I'm thinking that 15 degrees isn't going to typically have too terribly huge an effect. I live and shoot in Montana and we don't give it a whole lot of thought.

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15 years 3 months ago #2373 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:Weather conditions on shooting?
Sorry it took so long to get back to this....things have been hectic.
Z, I know what you are saying, that the cold contracts the steel and restricts the bullet thus slowing it which would lower the POI, but it was hard for me to believe that it would have that great effect on the POI. I guess you learn something new every day....Now I know.
The really weird part was, I ended up using my mil-dots to hit on target....the dot I was using would have been for a 200 yard shot on a warm day.....that is a big difference.
BMS

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15 years 3 months ago - 15 years 3 months ago #2377 by MrMarty51
Replied by MrMarty51 on topic Re:Weather conditions on shooting?
Maby My thinking is bassakwards.LOL
When steel piping shrinks due to the cold the bore would actually get bigger as the shrinking steel would make the walls of the bore thinner.
Just the properties of steel. ; )
Last edit: 15 years 3 months ago by MrMarty51.

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15 years 3 months ago - 15 years 3 months ago #2378 by zfk55
Replied by zfk55 on topic Re:Weather conditions on shooting?
Hardcase, we don't give a lot of thought to hunting rifles, but when it comes to load data development specifics it does make a significant difference at range.

And....... The entire barrel changes. Not just the OD. That changes measured velocities.
All of this only becomes critical in load data development. Not plain old shooting.
zfk55
Last edit: 15 years 3 months ago by zfk55.

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15 years 3 months ago #2386 by a Guest
Replied by a Guest on topic Re:Weather conditions on shooting?
Every 50 deg drop in temp is like a 5000 ft drop in atitude, this is 1way to look at it. 90 deg to 20 deg can slow
the bullet 150fps or so. Scope hight over center will play more with this hot or cold weather than any thing else. The colder it is the slower the bullet is the less pressure it will build in the barrel. Hotter tighter faster. The brass takes the beating in these conditions for the barrel and action.MSH

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15 years 3 months ago #2390 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:Weather conditions on shooting?
Well between you and Z, it is nice to have the professional input and to know I am not loosing my mind......or my shooting ability.....LOL. Thanks....to the rest as well... I think actually I did quite well compensating on the shots, not knowing what the heck was going on.....at least fully knowing...LOL.

BMS

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15 years 3 months ago #2404 by MrMarty51
Replied by MrMarty51 on topic Re:Weather conditions on shooting?
mmsshh wrote:

Every 50 deg drop in temp is like a 5000 ft drop in atitude, this is 1way to look at it. 90 deg to 20 deg can slow
the bullet 150fps or so. Scope hight over center will play more with this hot or cold weather than any thing else. The colder it is the slower the bullet is the less pressure it will build in the barrel. Hotter tighter faster. The brass takes the beating in these conditions for the barrel and action.MSH

Now that is some good to know information.
I never thought the cold would affect a fire arms ability to put the shots where You are aiming.
Maby that is why i missed all them big bucks.LOL

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