Quote from: obro on March 02, 2013, 07:48:42 PM
When we shoot in colder temps our patterns are not at their best. My question is what is effected, the ammo , gun or the shot flying through the cold air. I can keep the ammo and gun in a controlled environment. I have a heated pole building and could shoot out an overhead door at the other end of the building . I know this sounds crazy but I am trying to work up a new choke and shell combo . I dont want to wait till the week before season and find out the new combo sucks . Yes hearing protection would be a good idea .
All of the factors that you've mentioned affect how shotshells perform but as has been mentioned already, cold air, all other things being equal, is more dense than warm air. That's a good reason to pattern your gun at temperatures no warmer than those in which you will hunt.
Having said that, if you pattern your gun in cold temps, you'll learn a lot about it. If it patterns well at cold temps, it should pattern better as temps get warmer. You've not really lost anything by patterning your gun when it's cold.
Whenever I get a 40 degree day, I won't hesitate to pattern a new gun/choke/shell because many times I'm hunting in both spring and fall at temperatures in the 40s.
Thanks,
Clark
Thanks,
Clark
