Cold temps and Pyrodex

[TomCanuck]

Hi all,

I just returned from a deer hunt in Manitoba, and was wondering if anyone else had experienced problems with firing pyrodex when it was cold.

I had test fired my 209 X 50 with 3 50 grn. pellets, 240 grn Hornady XTP mag sabots and had hit 1 1/2" high at 100 yds. Temp was about 32 f

I shot at a doe at about 200 yds at a temp. of about 0 f and had the bullet fall well low of her. Not only that, but there was hardly any recoil and smoke.

After verifying I had not wounded her, I reloaded and shot a doe at about 150 yds. about 10 minutes later. This time the recoil was more to what I would have expected. The round hit mid ribs and did not exit. She ran about 300 yds across the field stopped and fell.

The rifle had been left in the cold all week, and there was no rain. The only other factor I can think of is contamination from the TC Natural Lube 1000 Plus. After test firing I cleaned with alcohal and then greased the bore.

Has anyone had any simalar experiences?

Any isights are most apreciated.

Tom

[ENCOREROOKIE]

Im not sure about an encore but i have a rem 700 .50 ML that i have experienced the same problem with...i usually leave it loaded if i am going out the next day or days.then it seems when i shoot it to get the bullet out that its a minor pop and the accuracy is not there...then i reload it and shoot it again and i have normal recoil....so I guess its not my craziness...LOL

[JJFly]

I'm not sure it matters what powder you use but I suspect your problem is something I learned about from Wayne Christianson.  I had cleaned my rifle and done the bore butter dance.  I had a similar light firing, about 12" low.  Wayne taught me to shoot two primer down the barrel... drying the bore of any lube prior to loading powder and I've never had a problem since.

[TomCanuck]

Thanks JJFly,

Sounds likely to me. I was playing a bit with some pellets, and they seemed to soak up oil redily. The same probably holds true for bore butter.

Tom

[upnorth]

hope your hunt here in manitoba was good. Just out of curiosity, did you snap a couple of primers before you loaded it? It's possible that the ignition hole may have been partially blocked with cleaner etc. Where were you hunting here??

[TomCanuck]

No, I never snapped a couple of caps, but will be sure to do so next time.

I was hunting out South of Carberry (where I grew up). I only had the last week, and the deer were just starting to move around a bit half way through that. Pretty cold and windy as well, the morning after I tagged out was -25. Couple that with the $125.00 I paid for the tag, I was not overly interested in antlers. Mind you I heard a few decent bucks had been taken locally. I'll probably do the rifle season there next year. Maybe get a 7mm-08 barrel, and give my A-bolt the year off.

Although I have had mixed success over the years there, I've yet to have a bad hunt there. Hope your hunt has gone well.

Tom

[RandyWakeman]

Hi all,

I just returned from a deer hunt in Manitoba, and was wondering if anyone else had experienced problems with firing pyrodex when it was cold.

Any isights are most apreciated.

Tom

Tom,

Ian McMurchy did the most extensive study of this I've read. With a variety of rifles, he chroned 300 grain sabots pushed by 100 grains of Pyrodex pellets (209 fired) at 72 degrees F. Average velocity: 1610 fps.

He repeated, same load, bullet, rifles, at -15 degrees F. Average velocity: 1567 fps. So, based on Ian McMurchy's findings-- sure, like any other propellant, Pyrodex does burn a bit slower at lower temperatures. But, not much-- and 50 fps or so at the muzzle means very little out at 100 or 150 yards.

I always fire a fouling shot, spit patch, then reload. Shoot it out, then repeat the next day.

Why? First shot out of my Encore from an clean, oil-protected barrel hits 4-6" high. Again and again, then the next three shots are sub-1".

Out of my Knight the first shot hits low, from 3-7". Again and again. Then, sub 1" 100 groups.

A fouling shot, followed by a spit patch then reload, gets me a consistent, oil-free barrel. So, that's what I do.

[TomCanuck]

Thanks Randy,

Much appreciated!

Tom

[justice]

hope your hunt here in manitoba was good. Just out of curiosity, did you snap a couple of primers before you loaded it? It's possible that the ignition hole may have been partially blocked with cleaner etc. Where were you hunting here??

i too just got back from manitoba, was there from nov.9-16 with pioneer outfitters right around riding mountain park-very harsh weather conditions regarding wind almost the entire week-made hunting very tough-do you know david doan and his outfit ??

[upnorth]

no, not personally, but I have heard of him. tough to hunt around the park though. lots of big bush. the outfitters usually hunt the fields and park boundries. some big animals though. hope he took care of you while you were here. if you decide to come back to hunt, feel free to ask about any outfitter here. I can usually get the real deal on them for you.