cold weather

[newtewsmoke]

what effect does cold weather have on BP or any of the subs? I only have pyrodex right now.

 

[rabjr]

I think it probably effects the lube you use more so Black Powder. Couldn't say about the subs as I don't use them. I think the coldest I shot a deer in with a Flintlock was around 19, 20 degrees. Hit it where I wanted to.

 

[necchi]

swampy said it, effects the patch lube.

There is little affect on the powders I've seen. A couple of local clubs do winter shoots, and everyone seems to shoot the same stuff and with the same amount of accuracy. It was -10 one year in Hutch,,wasn't really what I'd call a fun day. Those winter camps seem to be more about sittin in a big wall tent or marque sippin on stuff that's passed around the wood stove an talkin smart,at least for the first hour, after that it's slurring and nothin said is smart at all. :snore: :idunno:

 

[Ron_T.]

Ahhhhhhhhh... YES!!! Sittin' around inside a tent or cabin during the cold weather 'n passin' the jug around is a "special" kind of "Shootin' "... it's called "Shootin' da bull..." :rotf:

And sometimes, that's the best kind of "shootin' "! :grin:


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

 

[playfarmers]

A few years back the temp was -25 to -30 for the muzzleloader season, and the rifles loaded with Pyrodex all had hang fires. Real black went off just fine. That is the only time I hunted in such cold with a muzzleloader, I think I would pass on hunting in such cold now.

 

[JJB22]

I test the two one time--kind of.

I finished putting my 58 mountain capper together and had to shoot it. Well the temps were in the single digits and snowing.(NY if you guys are scratching you heads about my Georgia address nowdays) I loaded up and snap no bangs, hang fires and all kinds of nonsense with the fake stuff (triple 7 I think). :cursing:

I hauled butt down to the gun shop and grabbed some 2F BP and it shot everytime I pulled the trigger and with no delay.

Long story short-- I shoot nothing but BP in all my smokers since that "experiment"

 

[Scott_C]

I always use blackpowder but my father uses Triple Seven powder. The Nebraska muzzleloader season is all of December, and by the end of the month it is often between -10° & -20°. No problem with either of these powders igniting or changing trajectory from what we've noticed in the field.

 

[JJB22]

In defense of the Triple 7 I had (and I am not going to put up alot of fight for it) it was an older can of it that I had from my inline rifle. I did harvest a really nice ten pointer whitetail with the Triple 7. The fake stuff is effected by time and conditions. I think I had the can from the previous deer season. Since my muzzle collection has grown (especially to the flinters) I use nothing but the real stuff. If it is no big deal to get the real deal I figure I need to clean them anyway so why not go with BP. Another bonus-- If it gets wet it will dry, (yea I fell into the water while trying to cross a small steam.) :rotf: :redface:

 

[Scott_C]

I forgot to note that placing a dry patch between the powder and the patched ball (or lubed bullet) helps a lot too.

 

[newtewsmoke]

I forgot to note that placing a dry patch between the powder and the patched ball (or lubed bullet) helps a lot too.

How? (Im new). Thanks Scott

 

[paulvallandigham]

It absorbs excess lube so that the lube does not foul the powder, and it serves as a " fire wall" to protect the Patch around the ball from being burned in the barrel.

 

[newtewsmoke]

"how" do you get the dry patch down on top of the powder? does it go with the lubed patch and ball all at once?

 

[paulvallandigham]

I would run it down separately. But, it could be put down in front of the PRB and run down together. I stopped using patches for this purpose, years ago. I now use OP wads, and a wax/oil lube instead of liquids on my patches.

 

[newtewsmoke]

so... the dry patch is placed over the barrel and pushed down on top of the powder, then the prb? would the dry patch ever "wad up" under the prb and cause a problem?

 

[Scott_C]

Pour powder down; place dry patch and push down with ramrod; push down bullet (patched ball or lubed bullet) with ramrod.

Keeps the lube from reaching the powder and causing problems.

 

[rabjr]

I guess it depends on the lube your using. I read somewhere when I first started learning to render bear oil and make my own grease, that it was known for not fouling the powder. I believe my grease does not effect the powder in anyway and do not need an extra patch.

I left my 1792 loaded after not filling a tag from December until I think it May when we finally got to the range, I primed it and pulled the trigger putting a .54 cal ball just left of center of the bull at 50 yards. I believe my lube does not foul the powder in any way.