[T.D.C.]

It is established that some powders are temperature sensitive, some more than others. There is a thought bumping around in my head on this issue.

Is there any indication that powders, particularly in loaded ammunition, that exposure to high environmental temperatures retains that sensitivity once the powder is returned to normal temperatures?

 

[jnyork]

I know a guy who left over a case of SK Standard+ .22 rimfire target ammo in his place for the 6 months of summer in Yuma AZ, where the temps are frequently over 110 degrees and hotter in the trailer. Tried it when he returned for the winter and couldn't hit a hat with it. Totally ruined by the heat.

 

[charlie sterner]

Interesting theory....

 

[[email protected]]

Here in Australia Thales who makes our ADR powders have made them very temp insensitive so that either freezing cold or stinking hot the powders are consistent in ignition and accuracy.

Your VarGet is actually our AR2208 rebadged which works well .308's 22/250's, 30/06's and a heap of other calibres.

AR2209 was made for military applications but works very well in the 30/06,.270,.303 and other bigger calibres and is very stabile in our hot Summers((45c+) and Winters.

 

[Wayne McNeely]

Here in Australia Thales who makes our ADR powders have made them very temp insensitive so that either freezing cold or stinking hot the powders are consistent in ignition and accuracy.

Your VarGet is actually our AR2208 rebadged which works well .308's 22/250's, 30/06's and a heap of other calibres.

AR2209 was made for military applications but works very well in the 30/06,.270,.303 and other bigger calibres and is very stabile in our hot Summers((45c+) and Winters.

Thanks for the heads up on Thales powder Kevin. I knew Varget was made in Australia, but didn’t know by whom.
Has spring started there yet?

Wayne

 

[Onehole]

Answer?

Has anyone tried to answer T.D.C.s actual question?
"Is there any indication that powders, particularly in loaded ammunition, that exposure to high environmental temperatures retains that sensitivity once the powder is returned to normal temperatures?"
If you start with a cartridge or jug of powder that is "temperature insensitive" and expose it to extreme heat or cold will that cartridge or powder still be "insensitive"?
Perhaps a powder manufacturer would know?

 

[Trapper6L]

My 4 wheel bud works for General Dynamics who makes gun powder under the name you might know, Saint Marks in Florida. You probably are using some of their product and maybe don't know it. Per him, all powders are are temperature sensitive but it depends on the cartridge, shape of the powder granule and the detergent used to make it insensitive. The most insensitive to temperature will be of a tubular shape so that the surface of the granule can be coated with more detergent. Once the process is finished, the powder, as long as it stays dry, will not change in sensitivity. Heat, cold, doesn't bother it and neither does abrasion, as in, riding in the back of a 6x6 for a thousand miles. Depending on the cartridge, some are more cost effective to use a ball type powder which is why you'll see a significant amount of powders that are ball configuration yet insensitive to heat/cold. In chatting with him, I got the impression that our smaller cased ammo was more cost effective for ball powder vs powder for a 16" gun on the Iowa class battle ships.
That's what I was told when I asked....otherwise, I'm dumb as a fence post about it.

A few of St Marks powders:
HP38/231
H110/296
H414/760
H380
Lil Gun
HS-6
H335
BL-C2
Titewad
Tight Group
Long Shot
US869
WC 844
WC 845
WC 846
They make 120 different powders at St Marks. A lot of it is for the military.

 

[Hippy]

I know a guy who left over a case of SK Standard+ .22 rimfire target ammo in his place for the 6 months of summer in Yuma AZ, where the temps are frequently over 110 degrees and hotter in the trailer. Tried it when he returned for the winter and couldn't hit a hat with it. Totally ruined by the heat.

With Rimfire ammo I have seen not only temperature BUTT time will also degrade it as the "Grease/Lube" drys up and hurts the accuracy. Have had this issue with storing Eley

Jim