How much does air temp affect pattern density? I was doing a little patterning today and it was around 40 degrees. Numbers were decent but not what I was expecting. I am thinking with warmer weather the numbers should jump up?. Thoughts?
Quote from: Fieldturkey on February 06, 2016, 03:04:05 PM
How much does air temp affect pattern density? I was doing a little patterning today and it was around 40 degrees. Numbers were decent but not what I was expecting. I am thinking with warmer weather the numbers should jump up?. Thoughts?
Great question!
Cold, dense air can dramatically affect the quality of patterns. You will normally see more gaps and larger gaps when temps are 40 or below. It is however very important to know just how your combo patterns at temps in which you will hunt. That combo that is throwing dense patterns at 60 degrees may not look so good at 40 degrees. It may be necessary to adjust the range at which you shoot or to pass up a shot that you might have taken when it was warmer.
We shot the World Championship still target shoot last December on the coldest weekend of that month in South Carolina. It was below freezing each evening and temps were pretty much in the 40s for highs. It was very evident to everyone that pattern density was greatly reduced from when they'd shot with temps in the 50s just a few days before.
You must also consider the effect of a cold barrel and cold shells when you're hunting. The combination of cold, dense air and cold equipment can really change performance.
Thanks,
Clark
Clark have you also noticed a poi change with temp fluctuation?
Quote from: Fieldturkey on February 06, 2016, 04:59:59 PM
Clark have you also noticed a poi change with temp fluctuation?
The core pattern density can certainly change and that can create a shift in where the best pattern appears on paper. In still target shooting we're interested in dense cores and in particular dense 3" patterns. Cold temps, especially in the 30s & low 40s, can cause a shift in these cores.
For hunters who encounter widely varying temperatures during their season(s) it can be very important to know just how their combo performs in the different circumstances.
Thanks,
Clark