HSM has been assembling ammunition since 1968. Today they produce six brands of ammunition Hunting, Cowboy Action, Bear Load, Varmint, Pro Pistol and Self Defense. Today I will be cold weather testing Bear Load and Pro Pistol loads. I will shoot 6 rounds of this ammunition across the chronograph from two pistols Ruger Blackhawk 10mm and SR1911 10MM. The chronograph will be setup 3 yards down range. To test for accuracy these loads will be fired from a bench pistol rest at 25 yards.
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I fired 6 rounds through the SR1911 and Ruger Blackhawk in 27 degree weather to find out how sensitive this ammunition is to cold weather. Part 2 will consist of firing the same loads with the same pistols in weather above 60 degree's. Stay Tuned for Part 2:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw4RXEC8SyA
SR1911 Ruger 10MM Unboxing
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=5850
SR1911 10MM Range Visit
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=5855
Ruger Blackhawk 10MM Stainless Unboxing
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=5904
Ruger Blackhawk 10MM Stainless RansomRest
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=5917
SR1911 Ruger 10MM Chronograph Results 180gr HSM
Group Size = 1.8' at 25yds -- Pistol Rest
Lowest = 1069
Highest = 1093
Average = 1078
Extreme Spread = 24
Standard Deviation = 9
SR1911 10MM Chronograph Results 200gr HSM
Advertised Velocity = 1041 - 481 ft pounds.
Lowest = 1015
Highest = 1053
Average = 1038
Extreme Spread = 40
Standard Deviation =14
Ruger Blackhawk Stainless 10MM Chronograph 180gr HSM
Lowest = 1116
Highest = 1149
Average = 1132
Extreme Spread = 33
Standard Deviation = 12
Ruger Blackhawk Stainless 10MM Chronograph 200gr HSM
Advertised Velocity = 1041 - 481 ft pounds.
Group Size = 1.1' at 25yds -- Pistol Rest
Lowest = 1070
Highest = 1109
Extreme Spread = 39
Standard Deviation = 13
The advertised velocity of the Bear Loads were pretty much the same as the results I achieved today. Which could lead one to believe that the cold had no effect at all on this ammunition, though I still plan to test these loads in warmer weather conditions.
I wonder why HSM waters down their 10mm? Some of their .44 Magnum stuff hangs with the best of them. It's like maybe they don't know the standards?
Remember this was in 27 degree weather. As cold as it was potentially it could stop the full ignition of powder. Unfortunately we probably are going to have to wait a while for a warm day for the comparison.
I have shot in some cold weather over the Chrony and haven't seen any noticeable slow-down. During the cold months it's my only option to enjoy the cold while shooting :D
:D Awesome -- we will see I still plan to test in the warmer months, curiosity :D