H110 in the cold

[someguy2800]

I had to chrono some loads this morning so I decided to do a quick test. The thermometer read -1 F so I wanted to see how temp sensitive H110 really is. I set my 357 and my 300 blackout AR and ammo outside for an hour while I did other things and then shot them over the chrono.

Unfortunately I did not have the angle right on the chrono to get some sun and none of the 3 rounds picked up.

Next the 4.2" 357 mag with a 125 grain Xtp, 21.5 grains of H110 (actually 296) in a starline case with fed SPM match primer. In 60 degree weather this averages right at 1500 fps.

1507
1475
1488

I also wanted to try 2400. I've considered this for hunting loads in 357 mag and maximum as I have read this is less temp sensitive. This is a 158 prvi HP with 15.4 gr 2400 and S&B sp primer and remington case. This averages 1260 fps at 60 degrees.

1221
1241
1189

Next my 38 special target load of 4 gr 700x with a 125 berrys fp with S&B primer. This averages 820 fps.

750
825
605 (felt noticeably softer)

So there ya go. It's a small test but results are results. I'm very suprized by the results. H110 was almost unaffected. 2400 was about what I expected. I didn't think 700x would make any difference but I could see it actually squibing if it was 20 degrees colder.

 

[444]

Interesting.
I was thinking about doing some of this testing myself this winter. We have only had a few cold days (not as cold as what you have) but I didn't make it out to the range to do it.
Specifically I wanted to shoot my .300 AAC Blackout subsonics and see that velocity they shoot when it's relatively cold outside. I worked up the loads in the summer; in the 70s or 80s.

Of course I could and should do this in my own yard. I can legally and safely shoot here but I don't normally do it. But nobody would know about a few subsonic BO rounds. I have a Magnetospeed so it wouldn't take much effort on my part to gather the data.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

H110 was almost unaffected.

That's because you used a magnum primer to test the ammo in the cold. If you did the 60 F/ -1F test with a standard primer you would have seen a considerable difference.

Thank you for posting your data, it is very informative.

 

[someguy2800]

A magnum primer makes a huge difference with H110 at 60 degree temps, I have tested that quite a bit. We are supposed to be cold for a few days here so I want to test the blackout with h110 and little gun with and without magnum primers. I will try a few of my deer rifles too.

 

[444]

With ball powders, I always use a magnum primer.

 

[IMtheNRA]

If you keep going with these cold weather tests, it would be great to see that 700x load with a magnum primers.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Looking forward to your results, live north of you & it will be highs of maybe 10 below zero on Mon., Tues., Wed. if we are lucky!

 

[Charliefrank]

I've used 2400 in extreme cold over the years with no problems.

 

[Walkalong]

I never get a chance to do -1 temp testing, but I do get to check loads in 100+ weather.

 

[someguy2800]

We are supposed to have some -20 mornings in the next week so let me know if there is anything you want me to try. Hopefully the chronograph works that cold.

 

[someguy2800]

If you keep going with these cold weather tests, it would be great to see that 700x load with a magnum primers.

Will do

 

[Walkalong]

For those who get these low temps, it's good to test in them. I will shoot in high temps more than mid and low (30s, 40) temps, so I need to know my reloads are safe when shot in 100+ degree weather. We don't see a lot of below freezing temps, although we did get some snow a couple of weeks ago that stayed a couple of days. That's a blizzard for us. Happens about every 10 years or so.

 

[someguy2800]

I make a point to test all my deer hunting loads in the cold by leaving the gun in the garage overnight. Not only to test the ammo but the gun too. -10 degrees isn't to bad but the rare occasions at -20 or -30 has a funny way of making stuff stop working as I have found out a few times.

 

[Dudedog]

Interesting results, thanks for sharing them.
Were I live it is over 105 in the summer and rarely below 30 in the winter.
However if you want to test cold ammo when it's warm, you can make cold ammo just like you make cold beer- ice chest.
Put the ammo in zip locks, toss in the ice chest, a little salt, viola freezing ammo.


-20, -30 Frozen/ super thick gun oil =all kinds of fun.

 

[buck460XVR]

A while back I had a 100 round plastic ammo box with a few rounds of my regular .44 mag hunting loads that were unfired and the empties from shooting both in warm weather and below zero while hunting. While everything else was exactly the same(components/powder charge and the revolver fired in) and the ammo was loaded as a batch, it was very clear to see by the flatness of the primers, which rounds were fired in extreme cold as to which ones were not. While I know reading primers in a revolver is not a good indication of pressure, the difference in the flatness from the same loads tells me there was a difference in pressure. Afterwards I shot several cylinders full of the same batch of ammo to make sure it wasn't a certain chamber in the cylinder making the difference, but those primers all came out the same. This was with 23.8 gr of H110/W296, under a 240 gr Nosler JSP using Winchester Large Pistol primers(good for both magnum and standard rounds).

 

[GaryL]

Interesting data.

A dozen years back I set off some H110 loads in 44mag in very cold weather. It was well below 0*, maybe -12, -15? Used WLP Std/Mag primers. No problems except that 23.5gr of H110 seemed a bit more punishing than 24.0gr. No chronograph at the time, so no way to check. Have since switched to 2400 for 44mag loads.