Cold Weather Accuracy Issues

[Danale147]

Anyone ever experience issues with loads when the temp drops this time of year? It seems like for the past month or two, or about when the temp here started dropping, I haven't been able to put together a real solid day at the range. Today was a really bad trip and has me obsessing over it. I'm not absolutely denying that it couldn't be me going to shit lately for whatever reason but my buddy, who shoots an almost identical load and goes out with me almost Everytime is having the same type of experience.

H4350/42.5 gr pushing a 130 ELD. It was developed early in the year in more mild temps from what I remember, but up until recently has always performed outstanding. My next attempt is going out tomorrow and testing some cases with .2 increase and see if that tightens up.

Anyone ever seen something like this or have a different load for winter time? I know H4350 is "temp stable" so it has me doubting somewhat

 

[7mMike]

I don’t know what your considering is cold. I’ve been shooting my 223 load of xbr8208 that I developed this fall in the 40s-50s. Went out last weekend it was 12 out same load and it was very consistent. I’d try messing with your powder charge and maybe magnum primers?

 

[Mainer]

I find that shooting with heavy winter coat makes it more difficult to get into solid/comfortable shooting position. The fit of the rifle to my shoulder feels spongy. Perhaps this is part of the problem?

 

[Drvred]

As the temps drop, velocity drops. Could it slow down enough to get off the node?
My Valkyrie is down about 75 fps from what it was in the summer.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

It would be helpful if you posted the actual outside temps and what changed on target down range. The cartridge you're using would be nice too. It could be something as simple as freezing temps and wet lube in the trigger or bolt works. As for ammo, this is why OCW and ladder is shit. Load development is as simple as finding max load and backing off .5 grains. Then it takes a few groups to find a good seating depth. Also, if it is cold enough to risk frostbite a hotter primer would be nice. We never see much debate about temp stable primers. Anyway, it could be any number of things based on the limited amount of info provided.

 

[Danale147]

6.5 creed, running cci 450 already.

Temps have dropped from 70s and 80s to 30s. It's not cold enough to start freezing things physically it's the difference I'm wondering about.

The only other thought is maybe a carbon ring build up. I'm going to try eliminating that possibility before the next trip today or tomorrow

The barrel has just over 1k rounds on it now, it shouldn't be taking a dump on me already

 

[Danale147]

This barrel has always run easy .5moa or less and lately it has gone to 1moa or worse some days. The cold question comes to mind since that's the easiest factor that has changed in the time frame, unless I'm building up a ring in the chamber and it's progressively made it worse

 

[Deleted member 10043]

Yeah, that is not cold enough to be the problem.

 

[Danale147]

Shooting now, results to come soon

 

[Danale147]

Just got back from the range and the results were pleasing. Both the original load and the +.2 gr load shot half min or less. The hotter charge did do slightly better, but I'm not ready to say it wasn't just bc I was warmed up and in my rithym better after shooting the first load.

It looks like the big culprit for the whole issue is something that has been coming up and argued a lot lately. Shitty bipods will get shitty results. Right before leaving, I grabbed my rifle on the bench, which was up on the bipod while i was cleaning it earlier. I noticed just how badly out of square it has gotten. Looks like it's just disintegrating on me lately. That was the light bulb moment. Decided to shoot straight off bags tonight and take that out of the equation. I've been trying to get an Atlas ASAP, but holidays and everything else has the budget very tight. This is just more incentive to make that the next purchase above all else.

This was shot at 300 yds tonight. Upper left was the sighter before slight adjustment.

I believed it before, but this really proves it, bipods really do matter

 

[Brux]

Bipods will make a perfect rifle shoot shitty. If you don't load them every time you shoot you will get inconsistent results. Just put some hawkhill feet on one of my Harris's. Made a big difference.