H335 and winter reloading

[shootemup]

Finally getting time to do some reloading. Using H335 and Hornady 55 gr FMJBT w/c and 55gr SPBT w/c. I love how well this ball powder meters, but am reading it can be temp sensitive. Normally shoot between 15F and maybe 90F temps. I have read accounts where winter loads have been seriously over pressured in summer. I plan to load warm NOT any hot loads bbl is 5.56 marked. Am I taking this too much to heart? I want to load a bunch to put away, use in any rifle not just this one.

 

[Far king]

Finally getting time to do some reloading. Using H335 and Hornady 55 gr FMJBT w/c and 55gr SPBT w/c. I love how well this ball powder meters, but am reading it can be temp sensitive. Normally shoot between 15F and maybe 90F temps. I have read accounts where winter loads have been seriously over pressured in summer. I plan to load warm NOT any hot loads bbl is 5.56 marked. Am I taking this too much to heart? I want to load a bunch to put away, use in any rifle not just this one.

Since you are not planning to load hot and are using standard weight projectiles ( for 5.56 ) I would not sweat over it.
Get a chronograph if you don’t already have one, and check the velocity over the range of temperatures you shot in throughout the year. You will be able to compare velocities from cold to hot and also take note of the primers of your spent cases making sure that there is not excessive flattening or flowing.
In 38 years of handloading l have never had a problem. Have fun !

 

[FP1201]

Given the small case volume and that damn near any load is a case full (well except for enough space to seat the Bullet) I wouldn't be overly concerned, especially with a time honored Powder and well Published Reloading Data... FWIW: I load a LOT of ammunition using WC844 (H335 equiv.) and WC846 (BL-C2) and it works fantastic.
DO keep in mind that there isn't a lot of variance between the starting charge and maximum: do fuck around trying to make "hot" loads, and DO check the charge your throwing several times to make sure, oh and as always: load and test a few rounds BEFORE churning out batch...'cuz if you don't, Murphy will stick his dick in it and something won't be/work right.

 

[Acer-m14]

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Daniel Herrera​

Top contributor
· ·

I was able to get a couple lbs of Unique. Temperature are dropping and varying widely.
What are your guys opinion on unique with low temperatures?

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Wade Siewert
Top contributor

+1

I use a lot of it in pistol rounds. I have shot it at 0 and below zero and never a problem. You will be fine.
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Ryan Goodell

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I think it will do fine it’s a pretty quick powder
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James Puckett
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+1

I use unique with 9 .32 caliber buckshot. Works well.

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John Martin
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Swiss FFg and FFFg will ignite, even in extreme arctic cold. At Minus 55 black powder still lights up, as it should. Choose your preferred brand. Swiss burns a little bit cleaner, and might give slightly more speed at same charge when compared to most of the other commercial powders. For extreme cold adventures when reliability is a key concern... BLACK POWDER still works. Prefer Swiss & Schuetzen is my second favourite. Graf's powder might be 'store brand label' on German made Schuetzen powder.

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Dennis Porter
It works fine in subzero temps, blue dot can have pressure spikes...

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John Martin
Top contributor
When the mercury hides in the bubble at the bottom of the tube....and smokeless powder may fail. BLACK POWDER to the rescue. I have yet to experience BLACK POWDER failing to light because it was too cold. Smokeless Powders have failed to light or lost speed and energy in the cold. Swiss brand burns cleaner than most other Black Powders. -30°C or -22°F
at ALERT today.

 

[Robin]

Got a couple unopened cans of this if anyone is interested.
Robin

 

[shootemup]

Thanks to everyone for chiming in! I guess I was overthinking this. Just trying to be safe. I know a few fellow shooters with a chronograph I can use. I think I'll stick w/ the 24.5 loads. I may load a few up in slightly higher loads( nothing HOT) and bag and mark them to put aside to try out in a few warmer months to see how the charge climbs. Once I KNOW what really works best I'll load a bunch to stick away. Again, thank you everyone!!