Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: wt on October 26, 2017, 01:43:26 PM

Title: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: wt on October 26, 2017, 01:43:26 PM: Another question for the"wetside" crew. Do you put anything over your muzzle to keep debris out in heavy brush and down pour? If yes what? If no, why no? Thanks.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Naches Sportsman on October 26, 2017, 01:46:50 PM: I use electrical tape. I also pack eletrical tape in my pack. It comes in handy.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on October 26, 2017, 01:49:55 PM: with a muzzlebrake, yes. tape some small piece of plastic bag around it. otherwise too much debris build up. no brake, nope since more effort than worth.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: spoonman on October 26, 2017, 02:20:14 PM: I use a finger condom for my barrel. Find them at rite aid. I think they are actually called a finger cot.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: kselkhunter on October 26, 2017, 02:24:49 PM: I normally use electrical tape. This last hunt in the rain, I cut a finger off a surgical glove to use.....but I ended up with quite a bit of condensation and what looked like it wanted to start rusting the end of my barrel. So I am going back to electrical tape.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: lokidog on October 26, 2017, 03:51:27 PM: I've only ever done it for my muzzleloader, not modern.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: AKBowman on October 26, 2017, 04:09:56 PM: X3 on the electrical tape. My dads done that for as long as I know. Blows out in front of the bullet and doesn't effect ballistics at all...especially when you are shooting a 400gr 12 ga slug! Haha.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: biggfish on October 26, 2017, 04:11:10 PM: I've never put anything on my rifle barrels. I also carry muzzle down so water won't get in the barrel today way from rain.

Sent from my LG-K425 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: lewy on October 26, 2017, 04:13:52 PM: electrical tape
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Mtnwalker on October 26, 2017, 04:51:41 PM: I do just in case, no real downside to doing it. Ive used electrical or small piece of duct tape. Taken shots out past 700 with taped barrel, no change in poi.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: 7mmfan on October 26, 2017, 05:32:57 PM: Only just recently started. Never had a problem before, just a precaution I guess. I use e-tape, and keep a roll in my pack. Stuff comes in handy, especially when you're dumb and cut yourself while quartering your deer.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Molon5labe on October 26, 2017, 05:46:17 PM: Foam earplug
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: davk on October 26, 2017, 06:17:56 PM: Electrical tape. Used latex covers before and they always broke busting through brush.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Bob33 on October 26, 2017, 06:19:52 PM: Electrical tape. No reason not to and good reasons to do so.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: andr3wxmma on October 26, 2017, 06:27:17 PM: Electrical tape, in the army we use https://www.amazon.com/Muzzle-Cover-Cap-Black-5-Pack/dp/B009PSZJ8Qs (https://www.amazon.com/Muzzle-Cover-Cap-Black-5-Pack/dp/B009PSZJ8Qs) that slip over the barrel. The reason is doesn't hurt anything is the pressure will blow it off prior to the bullet reaching the end of the barrel.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: beav1980 on October 26, 2017, 07:06:26 PM: I don't see any reason to with a rifle. I do with muzzleloader to keep powder dry. Never have with rifle.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Tiger1358 on October 26, 2017, 07:30:19 PM: Ear plug. Works just fine.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: brokemillwright on October 26, 2017, 08:35:14 PM: balloon is what I used this year, worked great walking thru the brush and being on the front of the quad exposed

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Turner89 on October 26, 2017, 09:24:16 PM: I don't do anything. (Modern)
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: fish vacuum on October 26, 2017, 09:31:09 PM: Electrical tape.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: wt on October 26, 2017, 09:39:06 PM: Thanks for all the responses. On the electrical tape: what do you do? One or two strips over the top, then wrap around barrel?
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: slowhand on October 26, 2017, 10:06:24 PM: I'm also curios about the etape install.
I have never done anything while hunting modern, but I used small balloons while muzzle load hunting every time.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: 700xcr on October 26, 2017, 10:09:58 PM: Use two pieces over the top and around barrel or muzzle break.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: fish vacuum on October 26, 2017, 10:19:37 PM: I put a piece over the end extending about an inch down the barrel on both sides.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: SteelheadTed on October 27, 2017, 04:52:36 PM: I cut the pinky finger off a nitrile glove and use that. I have a couple extra since I tend to lose them in the brush. Probably not necessary but peace of mind.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Stein on October 27, 2017, 05:30:56 PM: Gorilla tape, it stays on when electrical tape hasn't due to copious amounts of rain.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: tgomez on October 27, 2017, 05:35:28 PM: As many of my fellow hunters have mentioned already ELECTRICAL TAPE is the way to go and you won't have any loss of accuracy.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Ingwe on October 27, 2017, 08:24:51 PM: Electrical tape. if you fall you won't jam barrel full of dirt.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: lewy on December 02, 2017, 07:37:45 PM: Why would you not want to keep rain/debris out of you barrel? And not effect accuracy? No brain'r, tape it up
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: boneaddict on December 02, 2017, 08:09:41 PM: I never have.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Bofire on December 02, 2017, 08:24:37 PM: NO, I think you could take your rifle outside stand it up Muzzle up, leave it out all day and night and no amount of rain would go down the barrel. That is one small hole for a rain drop to hit. my 2
Carl
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: j_h_nimrod on December 02, 2017, 08:26:45 PM: I’ve shot more animals through tape than not. Started doing it in Sitka AK years ago and was dubious of it not hurting accuracy, so I tested it and found no meaningful difference at 200 yds so I don’t even think about it any longer. I have found the good quality 3M Super 33 tape works the best.

I’m not too worried about a few raindrops, but I have seen a few bores at the end of a thrash through the hemlock on a wet day and I certainly wouldn’t want to pull the trigger on that. Have also seen a few people lawn dart themselves and plug a bore pretty throughly. Tape is easy insurance IMO.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: bigmacc on December 02, 2017, 09:18:54 PM: If I,m anticipating a downpour, I will put some electrical tape on, done it many times. Up in Alaska like some have said, its common. When my dad was working on the pipeline we would go up and spend a few weeks with him, an Eskimoe buddy of his would take us fishing, sometimes in the pouring rain. He had a 44 mag across his chest and a 300 H and H on his shoulder, It would be pouring rain, he wouldn't leave the cabin without his role of electrical tape or a good old condom to throw over the barrel of the H and H, we would catch fish like you wouldn't believe, while we were pulling them in Charley would walk up and down the river watching our backs.....good times :tup:
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: mdbuck5x5 on December 02, 2017, 10:39:06 PM: I use electrical tape every year on all my rifles. Works perfect for me and from experience doesn't affect accuracy one bit. :twocents:
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 03, 2017, 06:04:17 AM: That's what I shot my deer with this fall. Scotch 88. Being closely followed by a 95 grain nosler. :tup:
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Watimberghost on December 03, 2017, 07:13:49 AM: Quote from: lokidog on October 26, 2017, 03:51:27 PM
I've only ever done it for my muzzleloader, not modern.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
:yeah:
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: NW SURVEYOR on December 03, 2017, 07:44:48 AM: Electrical Tape.
Always.
Rob.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: slavenoid on December 03, 2017, 08:41:55 AM: Finger cots are extremely easy and convenient to slide over the end of the barrel. However every time I have used one they end up shredded from the slightest contact with brush.

Electrical tape is much more durable and will keep the woods clean of a bunch of busted miniature condoms.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: boneaddict on December 03, 2017, 12:39:55 PM: anybody willing to post pics.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: kentrek on December 03, 2017, 12:54:46 PM: Used to tape it up religiously...havent since i started hunting with a break tho..its kind of a non issue from my experience

Also id like to really test the accuracy of it...its amazing how much the magneto chrony changes things so idk why black tape wouldnt have at least a small affect
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: tjthebest on December 03, 2017, 01:14:41 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on December 03, 2017, 12:39:55 PM
anybody willing to post pics.
picture of tape after the shot.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Bob33 on December 03, 2017, 01:55:00 PM: Quote from: kentrek on December 03, 2017, 12:54:46 PM
Used to tape it up religiously...havent since i started hunting with a break tho..its kind of a non issue from my experience

Also id like to really test the accuracy of it...its amazing how much the magneto chrony changes things so idk why black tape wouldnt have at least a small affect
The tape is blown off before the bullet gets to the muzzle. Multiple tests have shown there is no effect on accuracy. A brake could be different but I doubt it.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Dan-o on December 03, 2017, 02:14:13 PM: I have taped my muzzleloader for 25+ years.

I am a believer.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 03, 2017, 02:32:05 PM: Quote from: Bob33 on December 03, 2017, 01:55:00 PM
Quote from: kentrek on December 03, 2017, 12:54:46 PM
Used to tape it up religiously...havent since i started hunting with a break tho..its kind of a non issue from my experience

Also id like to really test the accuracy of it...its amazing how much the magneto chrony changes things so idk why black tape wouldnt have at least a small affect
The tape is blown off before the bullet gets to the muzzle. Multiple tests have shown there is no effect on accuracy. A brake could be different but I doubt it.

Exactly! Escaping high pressure gasses blow the tape off the end of the barrel before the bullet exits the barrel.

I personally have never done it. I'm very aware of where my muzzle is and have never even taken a second thought ever to rain possibly effecting my barrel in anyway while hunting and it never has, I've shot my share of game in the snow and rain. I have fallen with rifles and got dirt in the muzzle, nothing a sage twig didn't take care of in a minute or so with a quick look down the bore to confirm it's cleared.

Like mentioned before, I hunt most of the time with a long range rig. As in long heavy barrel and large optics. It's more comfortable for me to carry such a rifle muzzle down due to the weight of the barrel.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: mdbuck5x5 on December 03, 2017, 03:19:32 PM: Before and after. I put one piece over the top and then wrap once around the barrel and it's good to go. I will say in my opinion there's no right or wrong here. Do whatever works for you. My dad's old friend who's practically been a grandfather to me he's 82 now and he's killed his fair share of animals over the years from short and long distances doing it. He taught me this at a young age and I continue to do it now. I've had falls where I easily could plug my barrel so taping it up I don't have to worry about it. I've never had any problems.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: fish vacuum on December 03, 2017, 04:49:05 PM: Geez. You guys are doing it all wrong. It should be red electrical tape. White is ok in a pinch, but red is best.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: boneaddict on December 03, 2017, 04:56:16 PM: Thanks for adding the pics.
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 03, 2017, 05:00:02 PM: Quote from: Dan-o on December 03, 2017, 02:14:13 PM
I have taped my muzzleloader for 25+ years.

I am a believer.
:yeah:
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Ingwe on December 03, 2017, 07:13:24 PM: I fell down elk hunting about 35 years ago. Barrel got plugged with dirt. Unloaded gun and on way out had a bull walk in front of me and could not shoot. I have always taped muzzle since that
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: TriggerMike on December 03, 2017, 08:01:23 PM: Always tape the muzzleloader.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Cover your muzzle?
Post by: Okanagan on December 04, 2017, 08:08:48 AM: I always tape the muzzle. I over focus but FWIW here is a minimalist way to do it. Scotch 88 electrical tape sticks better in cold. I've just cut some yellow tape because a friend uses it and says that he can shine a light through the tape and check the barrel without taking off the tape.

On game and target testing, I cannot detect any influence of tape on accuracy. However, small shifts in weight on the barrel do have influence so my intent is to use as little tape as possible, in a way that stays in place, and has the least resistance to being blown off at the shot.

With a sharp box cutter I cut tape around the roll to the width of the barrel crown. Then I cut 1 ¼ inch lengths of the narrowed section, then cut a slit in each end of the 1 1/4 inch piece leaving an uncut section in the middle about the width of the crown. All of this is done while still on the roll, as shown in pic below.

(https://i.imgur.com/RAGtjUV.jpg)

I stick half a dozen or so of these muzzle tapes to the offside of my stock. The long strips in the pic below came from the narrow part left on the roll and I stuck them on as a whim.

(https://i.imgur.com/28hpFbT.jpg)

The cuts on the ends of the right-width muzzle tape bend down and stick cleanly without much bubbling and scrunching. And the overlap sticks tightly when pressed in place. That is black Scotch 88 but it looks grey in the photos.

(https://i.imgur.com/7vQd2UC.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/PDL4znd.jpg)

Field pic, soon after a shot. The black rectangles on the Remington 600 stock are extra pieces of tape to replace the one shot off on a predator calling stand.

(https://i.imgur.com/HJ48edk.jpg)

Also, I have heard and believe that leaving the tape on in a damp climate does not allow air circulation and may cause rusting inside the barrel especially near the taped muzzle. I take the tape off each night if in my vehicle or home, but leave it on if sleeping out in backpack mode.

Why tape? I'm a klutz. Snow in muzzle when crawling on predator: check. Mud in muzzle from a stumble: check. Tamarack needles in my collar and muzzle: check. :P