? powder & primer for the cold

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13 years 3 months ago #8360 by jtallen83
? powder & primer for the cold was created by jtallen83
I've been getting ready to start reloading again after a 25 year break. My question is what powder and primer will give me good results in below zero temps? I've been doing a lot of reading trying to learn the finer points of reloading for an AR-10 and have ran across some disscusion of some powders not being reliable at higher temps so that got me wondering if one powder is better than another when it comes to the cold. I'll be loading for the .308, 30-06, and 270 and want to buy a large supply of powder and primers so I can deal with the same lots for years.
Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks guys!

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13 years 3 months ago #8377 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Re: ? powder & primer for the cold
You said you've done a lot of reading. I did a Google search for "temperature sensitive powders reloading" and it came up with a lot of articles. These sites seem like they did quite a bit of testing on powder sensitivity to temperature changes. I don't think anyone knows what else you are requesting that would be better than what is already explaned by these other web sites. Jer

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13 years 3 months ago #8379 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Re: ? powder & primer for the cold
I didn't use those exact term in my search so I'll try it. Thanks

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13 years 3 months ago - 13 years 3 months ago #8382 by LebbenB
Replied by LebbenB on topic Re: ? powder & primer for the cold
BL-C-2 and IMR 4895 have always given me great, consistant performance across the weather spectrum. W748 is good too, but a little more sensitive to cold than the other two.

I don't know if you have re-loaded for gas guns before, but a full length sizing die will relly help with round to round reliability.
Last edit: 13 years 3 months ago by LebbenB. Reason: Additional Information

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13 years 3 months ago #8383 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Re: ? powder & primer for the cold
Thanks for the info, IMR 4895 was on my short list. I've never reloaded for a gas gun, it has been almost 25 years since I touched my press at all so I have been reading till my eyes hurt. There is so much more information available now it makes my head spin, it was almost easier all those years ago but then I would have spent days and lots of dollars to get the same result. I can see already it is a different ballgame with the AR-10 so I want to be real carefull and focus more on reliability and safety, saftey first. I've been having great results with all the factory ammo I have tried so far so I'm really anxious to see what it can do when I locate the sweet spot. I didn't want to invest in a big can of powder and then find out it looses the spot in January.
I've read alot about Varget but it seems to be one that people love or hate, but then I'm getting off topic, maybe another post later. Thanks for the responses.

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13 years 3 months ago #8397 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Re: ? powder & primer for the cold
If you've never loaded for a gas gun, I'd highly recommend you read the Sierra Reloading Handbook section about loading for auto-loaders. You can't use just any powder in an auto-loader as some powders burn too slow and others burn too fast to be compatible with the "timing" of the blow back gas port.

Loading for auto-chuckers is not the same as for bolt guns. There is more to consider than just chamber pressure, timing of the powder burn is also critical.

Jer

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13 years 3 months ago #8398 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Re: ? powder & primer for the cold
I have read the Sierra article for autoloaders, I'll read it a few more times I'm sure. I think I've decided to try the CCI No 34 primers since they were designed for auto-loaders.Any favorite powders for the AR-10 to add?

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13 years 3 months ago #8399 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Re: ? powder & primer for the cold
As you stated about what others prefer, Varget shoots real nice in my 20" AR-10T -- consistent 1/2 inch groups at 100yds, sitting, off the bench, using bi-pod front and monopod rear. I don't shoot from a vice. 4895 also shot well, but the Varget shot tighter groups for me. I'm still tuning though once the temperature and humidity gets under 115F and it gets more comfortable to shoot again in a couple of months. I shoot the new 155gr Sierra Palma Match bullets (1556?) which is supposed to be an improvement over the 168gr and 175gr SMKs especially out of a 1:11.25 twist barrel. Most will tell you you'll need a 1:10 twist barrel to stabilize the 175 gr bullets to shoot accurately and the 1:11.25 just barely stabilizes the 168gr. Just depends on your setup, so you have to tune for your gun and not necessarily use what others are using. Every rifle is a little different, even if both rifles are AR-10Ts with 20" barrels, etc.

Have fun experimenting and trying different powders. Instead of buying a bunch of powder now, why not wait until after you've tried a few combinations?

Jer

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13 years 3 months ago - 13 years 3 months ago #8402 by zfk55
Replied by zfk55 on topic Re: ? powder & primer for the cold
The Reloder Swiss powders are particularly noted as being temperature forgiving across the spectrum.
RE15 and RE17 are the ones we use almost exclusively here in Lost Prairie because we shoot all winter long from our ported ShootShed. Even at temps well below zero, RE15 and RE17 perform. Although Alliant claims them as relatively new powders, RE15 and RE17 are made in the same facility in Switzerland as the powder used in the GP11 cartridge for most all Swiss Rifles. RE17 is acknowledged as being virtally the same powder sold as RE15 and used in the GP11. Its been manufactured since 1910 and used by the Swiss Army in the coldest temperatures.
We use RE15 in our AR10s and RE17 in our .30 caliber Swiss Rifles. Both perform at high and low temps. RE15 is a slightly faster burn rate than RE17.
We have many other powders we can use here, but those two for the rifles specified perform the best for us.
Last edit: 13 years 3 months ago by zfk55.

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13 years 3 months ago #8408 by Scaup58
Replied by Scaup58 on topic Re: ? powder & primer for the cold
I'm having good results with IMR8208XBR and it's suppose to be very temp insensitive. My rifle also likes IMR4895 and RL15. Doesn't seam to like ball powders, H335 & BL(C)-2. Viht N540 was so-so, definitely not worth the 50% price premium. Here's yesterdays results:

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