Temperatures and powder performance.

[Britsmoothy]

Is there any facts or experiences regarding performance drop in freezing weather with black powder or is it pretty linear in its yield?
I know smokeless can be affected by extreme cold and much effort has been made to overcome the trait but what about black?

 

[Grimord]

Very interesting question. I too would be interested in the responses. Always wondered if the cold would affect my deer hunting load.

 

[andy52]

I have never seen a drop in performance in my rifles at temps down to about -5 F, I don't live in a place that gets much colder then that so I can't say to lower temps. I've hunted in the snow at slightly higher temps with no ill effect. Truthfully I really like hunting in the snow.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

While I have never made a study of it with chronograph, etc., I believe based on my experience that real black powder does not become less energetic in colder temperatures. If it is dry, it is impervious to temperature. If it gets damp, it doesn't matter if it is 95 degrees F or -20 C; it will go pfffft. or less.

"Keep your powder dry!" did not become "Keep your powder warm!"

ADK Bigfoot

 

[mooman76]

I've never noticed a difference either but to be honest never shot allot at below freezing temps. Heat also affects powders maybe even more so than cold temps.

 

[Carbon 6]

Hot and humid seems to be the most detrimental. I've shot at -20F with no problems.

 

[Art Caputo]

As to any effect in the point of impact out to 100-125 yards, I have not experienced any difference from 20F-80F. At these distances smokeless /modern powders do not show a difference either.

 

[tenngun]

Hard to tell, if your shivering you may shoot off target.
Seriously I’ve shot well in cold weather. There is not a target on game so it’s hard to tell if your much off center, and one shot makes for a small group.
ive been to a frozen foot or two event and our scores I would say were pretty good, although shot at novelty targets.