Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: yakimanoob on September 05, 2018, 08:38:56 AM
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Hey folks,
I've not done much target shooting beyond sighting in new rifles, but I'm wanting to get confident shooting deer and elk out to about 500 yards (right now I have a self-imposed limit of about 300 as I haven't practiced beyond that distance) and I know I need to spend some serious time at the range practicing fundamentals and learning to judge wind. My setup is a Savage 16 LWH in 7mm-08 with a Nikon Prostaff 5 2.5-10x40mm. Even just sighting in and doing basic practice, the barrel gets pretty warm, so here's my question:
Where do you draw the line and stop shooting to give the barrel time to cool down? And how do you know when it's cool enough? Basically, I'm wondering how to tell if I'm causing the groups to open up or if I'm still doing things right and the barrel is just getting too hot.
Thanks in advance!
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I typically dont shoot more than 4-5 rounds without giving the barrel time to cool down. That being said, dont chamber a round until you are ready to shoot. Letting a round cook in a hot barrel is no bueno for groups. I will shoot one or two, touch the barrel and see how hot it is getting. A lot depends on outside temps and maybe wind that can help cool things down.
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I just usually go by feel. Sometimes I grab the barrel and if I can hold onto it it’s fine to keep shooting. Sometimes I like to take a break and let’s t cool. Other times if I’m having fun sending rounds and they are doing what is expected i just keep shooting.
Let the gun tell you how it reacts to heat. Some don’t change cool to hot and others change a lot. :twocents:
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I take ice cubes in ziploc bags to help speed the cooling.
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I've got a .223 that will burn Varget and 69 SMKs until I run out. Barrel will get darn hot but doesn't change performance much.
I'm more careful with my bigger rifles because it can't be doing any favors. My 300 WSM with a factory contour gets HOT quick so I go real slow with that one.
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I use a couple of battery operated fans and that helps a lot. If you go that route, get the biggest one you can find. My 4" fan cools much quicker than my little 2" handheld one.
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One thing that helps cool faster is get the barrel pointed up and action open while cooling. Heat goes out and cool air in the action
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One thing that helps cool faster is get the barrel pointed up and action open while cooling. Heat goes out and cool air in the action
:tup:
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When I shoot my Savage 111 in 300WM, it's pretty much the same gun you got, I make 3 shots then let it cool down. Like the previous comment stated, open the action and it'll help to cool down faster.
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A small fan and funnel to move air through the bore works ok. Does anyone have hands on experience using or fabricating a cooling rod or heat sink for this application?
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http://barrelcool.com/product/barrelcool/
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A small fan and funnel to move air through the bore works ok. Does anyone have hands on experience using or fabricating a cooling rod or heat sink for this application?
No. I just bring multiple guns and shoot the ones that aren't hot.
Only time I've ever cooled deliberately was when sighting in a muzzleloader in hot conditions. Wet rag cooled it down quickly.
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One thing that helps cool faster is get the barrel pointed up and action open while cooling. Heat goes out and cool air in the action
x2...Some of the best advice I was ever given. Crazy how much of a difference it makes.
Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk
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5 mins between shots for 5 shots. Now you know what a “cool” barrel does for reference. Thats on a below 60 day with a barrel cooler. 80 degree day may take double that time.
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Thanks everybody. I never thought about cooling with a rag or other device. That's doesn't change the properties of the steel does it??
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It's one thing to practice out to 500 yards with your 7mm-08. It's entirely another to try and ethically bring down an elk at that range.
I would encourage you to carefully examine the velocity and energy charts for that chambering. IMHO, the 7mm-08 has long since ran out of juice at that range.
It's a 350 yard gun, max...at best for deer.
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It's one thing to practice out to 500 yards with your 7mm-08. It's entirely another to try and ethically bring down an elk at that range.
I would encourage you to carefully examine the velocity and energy charts for that chambering. IMHO, the 7mm-08 has long since ran out of juice at that range.
It's a 350 yard gun, max...at best for deer.
Curious how much energy and speed you feel is Adequate?
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One thing that helps cool faster is get the barrel pointed up and action open while cooling. Heat goes out and cool air in the action
:yeah: stove pipe effect.Cools down much faster. :tup:
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It's one thing to practice out to 500 yards with your 7mm-08. It's entirely another to try and ethically bring down an elk at that range.
I would encourage you to carefully examine the velocity and energy charts for that chambering. IMHO, the 7mm-08 has long since ran out of juice at that range.
It's a 350 yard gun, max...at best for deer.
? it is still cruising at around 1850 fps and carrying around 1050 ft lbs of energy at 500 yards,way more than enough for deer. :twocents:
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Let's not have this discussion about barrel cooling devolve into how many ftlbs is necessary to be ethical, k?
I'll only hunt deer to 350yds and buy a 300 Win Mag for elk if it makes you feel better. Do you have any thoughts on how hot is too hot for a barrel during practice?
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if its to hot to hold barrel for a ten count then its to hot.That is what i've read.something to consider. powder.(is it temp. sensitive?)If only after 3 shots your accuracy falls off then its to warm.(same book)
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Don't let these guys get ya down on a 500yard shot.If you can put it in the boiler room at 500 with quality ammo then I say do it . :chuckle: :tup:
I try to take two or three guns target shoot.trade out after four rounds.If you can hold the barrel for any amount of time your good to keep shooting,if you can only hold it for 5 sec you need to cool,if you can't even touch it hotter than a firecracker you went to far , but may still shoot good when it cools down.
I have noticed that ar15 stay a lot cooler I can shoot 10-20 it's about as hot as my bolt action guns with five rounds ,gas blow back or something keeps it cooler ,now a mini 14 I can shoot one mag 20 rds and thing is hotter than fiablo sause.
All guns are different for heat up ,it's up to you to know what your gun can handle.
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How can you get any shooting done if you only shoot a couple rounds then let it cool?
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My philosophy is that they make new barrels every day and that ammo isn't gonna shoot itself so jump on that train heading to bang town and have some fun :chuckle:
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How can you get any shooting done if you only shoot a couple rounds then let it cool?
you can shoot 50 rounds for all anyone cares but if you want accuracy and it falls off after 3-4 rounds then your just making noise.If you want accuracy and shoot more than a few then shoot lighter loads.We can go all day with this.
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How can you get any shooting done if you only shoot a couple rounds then let it cool?
you can shoot 50 rounds for all anyone cares but if you want accuracy and it falls off after 3-4 rounds then your just making noise.If you want accuracy and shoot more than a few then shoot lighter loads.We can go all day with this.
Sometimes i do shoot 50 in a range session. :chuckle:
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I think most do.usually take 4-5 guns and shoot until done.10 Shots in under a minute wont change much.10 shots in 3-4 min. will. with a magnum. :twocents:
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If it’s not glowing bright enough to read by, it’s not hot enough. :chuckle:
A 7-08 should be good for 10-15 shots before I’d even begin to worry about it. I’ve done 10 shot strings in the 6.5 Badger sendings 96gr of powder through a 6.5mm bore and it was warm but not hot.
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gotta admit i've never heard of the 6.5 badger. What powder with this 96 grain load?
Wow never mind,I found your other thread on this.It sounds awesome.
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Let's not have this discussion about barrel cooling devolve into how many ftlbs is necessary to be ethical, k?
I'll only hunt deer to 350yds and buy a 300 Win Mag for elk if it makes you feel better. Do you have any thoughts on how hot is too hot for a barrel during practice?
Discussing the ballistic merits - or lack thereof, of taking a 500 yard shot at an elk with a 7mm-08 (when there is a plethora of better options) with a newbie that obviously doesn't understand terminal ballistics is not "devolving", it's nipping a half-baked idea in the bud. Kudos to you for recognizing that something like a 300 Win. Mag. is a better tool for that job.
As for barrel heat...Go to a local PSR event. Watch and learn. Heck, participate...they are a TON of fun. You'll witness shooters bark off 8-10 rounds in fairly rapid succession seemingly without concern for barrel heat. The level of sustained accuracy out beyond 600+ yards would likely surprise you. Some very, very hot rifles can still shoot very, very well. Key word...some. But that's beside the point. Instead, as a hunter, you should be focusing on where your first ethical cold bore shot goes. Once you've mastered that and can keep it within 1.5-2 MOA under all field conditions/positions out to 350 yards, then you can seek to understand and integrate what your particular rifle does when it gets progressively hotter.
Don't let these guys get ya down on a 500yard shot.If you can put it in the boiler room at 500 with quality ammo then I say do it . :chuckle: :tup:
I try to take two or three guns target shoot.trade out after four rounds.If you can hold the barrel for any amount of time your good to keep shooting,if you can only hold it for 5 sec you need to cool,if you can't even touch it hotter than a firecracker you went to far , but may still shoot good when it cools down.
I have noticed that ar15 stay a lot cooler I can shoot 10-20 it's about as hot as my bolt action guns with five rounds ,gas blow back or something keeps it cooler ,now a mini 14 I can shoot one mag 20 rds and thing is hotter than fiablo sause.
All guns are different for heat up ,it's up to you to know what your gun can handle.
...and don't let someone that obviously doesn't know what he's talking about give you advise.
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Let's not have this discussion about barrel cooling devolve into how many ftlbs is necessary to be ethical, k?
I'll only hunt deer to 350yds and buy a 300 Win Mag for elk if it makes you feel better. Do you have any thoughts on how hot is too hot for a barrel during practice?
Discussing the ballistic merits - or lack thereof, of taking a 500 yard shot at an elk with a 7mm-08 (when there is a plethora of better options) with a newbie that obviously doesn't understand terminal ballistics is not "devolving", it's nipping a half-baked idea in the bud. Kudos to you for recognizing that something like a 300 Win. Mag. is a better tool for that job.
As for barrel heat...Go to a local PSR event. Watch and learn. Heck, participate...they are a TON of fun. You'll witness shooters bark off 8-10 rounds in fairly rapid succession seemingly without concern for barrel heat. The level of sustained accuracy out beyond 600+ yards would likely surprise you. Some very, very hot rifles can still shoot very, very well. Key word...some. But that's beside the point. Instead, as a hunter, you should be focusing on where your first ethical cold bore shot goes. Once you've mastered that and can keep it within 1.5-2 MOA under all field conditions/positions out to 350 yards, then you can seek to understand and integrate what your particular rifle does when it gets progressively hotter.
Don't let these guys get ya down on a 500yard shot.If you can put it in the boiler room at 500 with quality ammo then I say do it . :chuckle: :tup:
I try to take two or three guns target shoot.trade out after four rounds.If you can hold the barrel for any amount of time your good to keep shooting,if you can only hold it for 5 sec you need to cool,if you can't even touch it hotter than a firecracker you went to far , but may still shoot good when it cools down.
I have noticed that ar15 stay a lot cooler I can shoot 10-20 it's about as hot as my bolt action guns with five rounds ,gas blow back or something keeps it cooler ,now a mini 14 I can shoot one mag 20 rds and thing is hotter than fiablo sause.
All guns are different for heat up ,it's up to you to know what your gun can handle.
...and don't let someone that obviously doesn't know what he's talking about give you advise.
JDhasty, is that you?
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:peep: :chuckle:
I've got a mini-14 that wears a 6x45 Krieger barrel. 50 rounds of "break-in" ammo along with both a 20 and a 30 rd magazine.
I'll let you know how hots she gets.
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...and don't let someone that obviously doesn't know what he's talking about give you advise.
What? Its the interweb we are all experts don’t ya know?
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I think most do.usually take 4-5 guns and shoot until done.10 Shots in under a minute wont change much.10 shots in 3-4 min. will. with a magnum. :twocents:
I meant with one gun.
As long as I’m having fun and the shots are going where expected I see no reason not to keep shooting.
My guns are usually still pretty uncomfortable to grab by the barrel after I get home.
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:mgun: :mgun:
:peep: :chuckle:
I've got a mini-14 that wears a 6x45 Krieger barrel. 50 rounds of "break-in" ammo along with both a 20 and a 30 rd magazine.
I'll let you know how hots she gets.
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Kudos to you for recognizing that something like a 300 Win. Mag. is a better tool for that job.
Hahahahahaha. You entirely missed my meaning.
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seems to be the norm,especially when someone is trying to. Telling a person that is trying to learn accuracy to just shoot until barrel is burned up is only trying to be confrontational with those that are seriously trying to give good pointers on achieving accuracy.
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More well executed shots down range is better practice and will teach a whole lot more to the shooter than sitting and waiting for a barrel to cool after 3-5 shots. :twocents:
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my 3-5 shots was meant for some,pretty obvious.some can shoot 10-20 even 50 some can only hold 3-5 accurately.
read my comment on my profile.
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I think some people are overestimating the risk of an average shooter heating/burning up a barrel.
I think this sums it up well As long as I’m having fun and the shots are going where expected I see no reason not to keep shooting.
But hey BULLBLASTER only shoots every week and thousands and thousands of rounds a year
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Let's not have this discussion about barrel cooling devolve into how many ftlbs is necessary to be ethical, k?
I'll only hunt deer to 350yds and buy a 300 Win Mag for elk if it makes you feel better. Do you have any thoughts on how hot is too hot for a barrel during practice?
Discussing the ballistic merits - or lack thereof, of taking a 500 yard shot at an elk with a 7mm-08 (when there is a plethora of better options) with a newbie that obviously doesn't understand terminal ballistics is not "devolving", it's nipping a half-baked idea in the bud. Kudos to you for recognizing that something like a 300 Win. Mag. is a better tool for that job.
As for barrel heat...Go to a local PSR event. Watch and learn. Heck, participate...they are a TON of fun. You'll witness shooters bark off 8-10 rounds in fairly rapid succession seemingly without concern for barrel heat. The level of sustained accuracy out beyond 600+ yards would likely surprise you. Some very, very hot rifles can still shoot very, very well. Key word...some. But that's beside the point. Instead, as a hunter, you should be focusing on where your first ethical cold bore shot goes. Once you've mastered that and can keep it within 1.5-2 MOA under all field conditions/positions out to 350 yards, then you can seek to understand and integrate what your particular rifle does when it gets progressively hotter.
Don't let these guys get ya down on a 500yard shot.If you can put it in the boiler room at 500 with quality ammo then I say do it . :chuckle: :tup:
I try to take two or three guns target shoot.trade out after four rounds.If you can hold the barrel for any amount of time your good to keep shooting,if you can only hold it for 5 sec you need to cool,if you can't even touch it hotter than a firecracker you went to far , but may still shoot good when it cools down.
I have noticed that ar15 stay a lot cooler I can shoot 10-20 it's about as hot as my bolt action guns with five rounds ,gas blow back or something keeps it cooler ,now a mini 14 I can shoot one mag 20 rds and thing is hotter than fiablo sause.
All guns are different for heat up ,it's up to you to know what your gun can handle.
...and don't let someone that obviously doesn't know what he's talking about give you advise.
(advice)
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if its to hot to hold barrel for a ten count then its to hot.That is what i've read.something to consider. powder.(is it temp. sensitive?)If only after 3 shots your accuracy falls off then its to warm.(same book)
Do you see the if Bullblaster?
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Burning up my barrel is definitely one of my concerns. The LWH has a pretty thin contour, and I don't want to spend money on a new barrel if I don't have to. I get it that competition-quality bull barrels will be able to fire more rounds faster than mine. I'm not in a race to put holes in paper and obviously range work is a time commitment. I'm not shy about that, but I am shy about annealing my barrel...
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:tup: with that attitude you will get what you want in short order.yes it takes time,The only good rifle is an accurate one.perfect practice makes perfect performance. there are many many more.
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if its to hot to hold barrel for a ten count then its to hot.That is what i've read.something to consider. powder.(is it temp. sensitive?)If only after 3 shots your accuracy falls off then its to warm.(same book)
Do you see the if Bullblaster?
Is that the word spelled with an “I” and an “f”. Sure I see the word typed there but dont get your point. :dunno:
The op asked a question and I have given my answer. Yours is different who cares. You won’t be able to prove to me that something you have read means more than something I have done...
Because you read that may be too hot that is gospel?
I still stand by my thought that if I’m having fun and shots are going where expected why quit! Also stand by my post that more well executed shots downrange is better practice than watching a piece of metal cool down.
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If nothing else, y'all have convinced me never to leave my other guns at home when going to the range :chuckle:
Not that I need much of an excuse to shoot my R American 22WMR... ;)
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Burning up my barrel is definitely one of my concerns. The LWH has a pretty thin contour, and I don't want to spend money on a new barrel if I don't have to. I get it that competition-quality bull barrels will be able to fire more rounds faster than mine. I'm not in a race to put holes in paper and obviously range work is a time commitment. I'm not shy about that, but I am shy about annealing my barrel...
And some of us would say that you are overestimating your ability to burn it up with a typical range session.
Factory contours that have thousands of rounds down them can still shoot excellently. If a barrel opens up noticeably after 3-5 shots then it's a complete turd (my opinion) anyway or the shooter needs some help :twocents:
If nothing else, y'all have convinced me never to leave my other guns at home when going to the range :chuckle:
Not that I need much of an excuse to shoot my R American 22WMR... ;)
Careful those 22WMR get expensive quick!
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If nothing else, y'all have convinced me never to leave my other guns at home when going to the range :chuckle:
Not that I need much of an excuse to shoot my R American 22WMR... ;)
:tup: don’t be scared to try shooting farther. Worst case you miss and learn better how to hit next time.
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Burning up a barrel shouldn't be a concern for most folks. It takes a whole heck of a lot of rounds to smoke a throat and most won't shoot that many in a lifetime. Bullblaster is spot on. As long as your impacts aren't walking on you she's good to go. That thin barrel will let you know when it's time to cool.
Noob, if you wanna burn some powder when they open the L.T. back up let me know. We can get some good data off that 7-08 and see if we cant get her legs stretched out a bit. I've got steel we can run out to 800 and rocks past that all the way out to 1500.
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Let's not have this discussion about barrel cooling devolve into how many ftlbs is necessary to be ethical, k?
I'll only hunt deer to 350yds and buy a 300 Win Mag for elk if it makes you feel better. Do you have any thoughts on how hot is too hot for a barrel during practice?
Discussing the ballistic merits - or lack thereof, of taking a 500 yard shot at an elk with a 7mm-08 (when there is a plethora of better options) with a newbie that obviously doesn't understand terminal ballistics is not "devolving", it's nipping a half-baked idea in the bud. Kudos to you for recognizing that something like a 300 Win. Mag. is a better tool for that job.
As for barrel heat...Go to a local PSR event. Watch and learn. Heck, participate...they are a TON of fun. You'll witness shooters bark off 8-10 rounds in fairly rapid succession seemingly without concern for barrel heat. The level of sustained accuracy out beyond 600+ yards would likely surprise you. Some very, very hot rifles can still shoot very, very well. Key word...some. But that's beside the point. Instead, as a hunter, you should be focusing on where your first ethical cold bore shot goes. Once you've mastered that and can keep it within 1.5-2 MOA under all field conditions/positions out to 350 yards, then you can seek to understand and integrate what your particular rifle does when it gets progressively hotter.
Don't let these guys get ya down on a 500yard shot.If you can put it in the boiler room at 500 with quality ammo then I say do it . :chuckle: :tup:
I try to take two or three guns target shoot.trade out after four rounds.If you can hold the barrel for any amount of time your good to keep shooting,if you can only hold it for 5 sec you need to cool,if you can't even touch it hotter than a firecracker you went to far , but may still shoot good when it cools down.
I have noticed that ar15 stay a lot cooler I can shoot 10-20 it's about as hot as my bolt action guns with five rounds ,gas blow back or something keeps it cooler ,now a mini 14 I can shoot one mag 20 rds and thing is hotter than fiablo sause.
All guns are different for heat up ,it's up to you to know what your gun can handle.
...and don't let someone that obviously doesn't know what he's talking about give you advise.
(advice)
Well, you got me there Josh. :chuckle: I noted that you made no such grammar or spelling inferences for hunter399. ;)
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:dunno: :dunno: That wasn't from me @Bushcraft
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:dunno: :dunno: That wasn't from me @Bushcraft
yeah but you were thinking it! How dare you sir! :chuckle:
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Pairing a bore guide with a Coleman air pump works extremely well to quickly and safely cool a barrel.
I use one when performing a detailed and consistent input ladder test on thinner barreled rifles and don't want to take all day. The battery powered version(s) is okay if you're not at a range with a power supply, but they eat batteries like crazy. Accordingly, go with one that you can plug into a power outlet.
https://www.amazon.com/coleman-air-pump/s?page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acoleman%20air%20pump
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Burning up a barrel shouldn't be a concern for most folks. It takes a whole heck of a lot of rounds to smoke a throat and most won't shoot that many in a lifetime. Bullblaster is spot on. As long as your impacts aren't walking on you she's good to go. That thin barrel will let you know when it's time to cool.
Noob, if you wanna burn some powder when they open the L.T. back up let me know. We can get some good data off that 7-08 and see if we cant get her legs stretched out a bit. I've got steel we can run out to 800 and rocks past that all the way out to 1500.
Exactly.This is exactly what i said.AS LONG AS YOUR ACCURACY IS NOT FALLING OFF / same as,As long as your impacts aren't walking on you.
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:dunno: :dunno: That wasn't from me @Bushcraft
yeah but you were thinking it! How dare you sir! :chuckle:
Sorry, I meant to say Josh. (fixed it.) I really, really need to stop multi-tasking with all this computer screens open while watching the Supreme Court Confirmation hearings. ;)
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Burning up a barrel shouldn't be a concern for most folks. It takes a whole heck of a lot of rounds to smoke a throat and most won't shoot that many in a lifetime. Bullblaster is spot on. As long as your impacts aren't walking on you she's good to go. That thin barrel will let you know when it's time to cool.
Noob, if you wanna burn some powder when they open the L.T. back up let me know. We can get some good data off that 7-08 and see if we cant get her legs stretched out a bit. I've got steel we can run out to 800 and rocks past that all the way out to 1500.
Me too!
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Burning up a barrel shouldn't be a concern for most folks. It takes a whole heck of a lot of rounds to smoke a throat and most won't shoot that many in a lifetime. Bullblaster is spot on. As long as your impacts aren't walking on you she's good to go. That thin barrel will let you know when it's time to cool.
Noob, if you wanna burn some powder when they open the L.T. back up let me know. We can get some good data off that 7-08 and see if we cant get her legs stretched out a bit. I've got steel we can run out to 800 and rocks past that all the way out to 1500.
Me too!
hows you're December look? :chuckle:
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Looks good.
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Burning up a barrel shouldn't be a concern for most folks. It takes a whole heck of a lot of rounds to smoke a throat and most won't shoot that many in a lifetime. Bullblaster is spot on. As long as your impacts aren't walking on you she's good to go. That thin barrel will let you know when it's time to cool.
Noob, if you wanna burn some powder when they open the L.T. back up let me know. We can get some good data off that 7-08 and see if we cant get her legs stretched out a bit. I've got steel we can run out to 800 and rocks past that all the way out to 1500.
Exactly.This is exactly what i said.AS LONG AS YOUR ACCURACY IS NOT FALLING OFF / same as,As long as your impacts aren't walking on you.
I want agreeing with. I was confirming what bullblaster was saying which is go shoot the dang thing and dont worry about it. If more people tried to burn the throat out of their rifles then we'd have better shooters out there. Bullblaster shoots more rounds down range than 99% of commenters on this thread and with great accuracy. Is handloads are all pieces of precision beauty. I load and shoot THOUDANDS of rounds of large rifle a year and if I ever have a question about something bullblaster is my very first phone call. Except on my new .243 HD because he's not allowed to know specifics on this particular monster. Its top secret :chuckle:
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Looks good.
perfect! Bonfire, coffee, bullets, and far off rocks!
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If your rifle shoots a different poi cold vs hot then yes cooling is needed in a hunting rifle. If not no worries. Burning up a barrel is just part of shooting. It costs more to burn up a barrel than it does to replace one. Barrels are like tires. You’ll go through more when you drive a lot. Personally I look forward to the rebarrel.....other than the wait time
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Yes please. You have my number sir.
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Let's not have this discussion about barrel cooling devolve into how many ftlbs is necessary to be ethical, k?
I'll only hunt deer to 350yds and buy a 300 Win Mag for elk if it makes you feel better. Do you have any thoughts on how hot is too hot for a barrel during practice?
Discussing the ballistic merits - or lack thereof, of taking a 500 yard shot at an elk with a 7mm-08 (when there is a plethora of better options) with a newbie that obviously doesn't understand terminal ballistics is not "devolving", it's nipping a half-baked idea in the bud. Kudos to you for recognizing that something like a 300 Win. Mag. is a better tool for that job.
As for barrel heat...Go to a local PSR event. Watch and learn. Heck, participate...they are a TON of fun. You'll witness shooters bark off 8-10 rounds in fairly rapid succession seemingly without concern for barrel heat. The level of sustained accuracy out beyond 600+ yards would likely surprise you. Some very, very hot rifles can still shoot very, very well. Key word...some. But that's beside the point. Instead, as a hunter, you should be focusing on where your first ethical cold bore shot goes. Once you've mastered that and can keep it within 1.5-2 MOA under all field conditions/positions out to 350 yards, then you can seek to understand and integrate what your particular rifle does when it gets progressively hotter.
Don't let these guys get ya down on a 500yard shot.If you can put it in the boiler room at 500 with quality ammo then I say do it . :chuckle: :tup:
I try to take two or three guns target shoot.trade out after four rounds.If you can hold the barrel for any amount of time your good to keep shooting,if you can only hold it for 5 sec you need to cool,if you can't even touch it hotter than a firecracker you went to far , but may still shoot good when it cools down.
I have noticed that ar15 stay a lot cooler I can shoot 10-20 it's about as hot as my bolt action guns with five rounds ,gas blow back or something keeps it cooler ,now a mini 14 I can shoot one mag 20 rds and thing is hotter than fiablo sause.
All guns are different for heat up ,it's up to you to know what your gun can handle.
...and don't let someone that obviously doesn't know what he's talking about give you advise.
(advice)
Well, you got me there Josh. :chuckle: I noted that you made no such grammar or spelling inferences for hunter399. ;)
Here I will give ya some advice.
If you can't tell when your barrel is too hot maybe you should not be shooting.
Maybe someone can hold your hand and tell ya.
Good luck
My advice is run out .
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Yes please. You have my number sir.
really wanted to make it happen this summer but they shut everything down so dang early. Barrel burning will be a non issue in December :chuckle:
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If your rifle shoots a different poi cold vs hot then yes cooling is needed in a hunting rifle. If not no worries. Burning up a barrel is just part of shooting. It costs more to burn up a barrel than it does to replace one. Barrels are like tires. You’ll go through more when you drive a lot. Personally I look forward to the rebarrel.....other than the wait time
:tup: and if i'm not mistaken we are talking about a hunting rifle,that is changing poi.
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One of these days we need to get everyone together for a HuntWA egg shoot. Put an egg at 1,000 yards and the first guy to hit it buys the beer. If you burn your barrel up before you hit the egg...well I'll buy you a beer.
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If your rifle shoots a different poi cold vs hot then yes cooling is needed in a hunting rifle. If not no worries. Burning up a barrel is just part of shooting. It costs more to burn up a barrel than it does to replace one. Barrels are like tires. You’ll go through more when you drive a lot. Personally I look forward to the rebarrel.....other than the wait time
:tup: and if i'm not mistaken we are talking about a hunting rifle,that is changing poi.
I don't think that's been brought up previously in this thread but yes, I can see the word "if"
You yourself said that the only good rifle is an accurate one and a gun that changes POI when "hot" at 3-5 rounds isn't worth fiddling with to me. A guy will spend more time and money tinkering and trying to polish that turd when he should be shooting
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Let's not have this discussion about barrel cooling devolve into how many ftlbs is necessary to be ethical, k?
I'll only hunt deer to 350yds and buy a 300 Win Mag for elk if it makes you feel better. Do you have any thoughts on how hot is too hot for a barrel during practice?
Discussing the ballistic merits - or lack thereof, of taking a 500 yard shot at an elk with a 7mm-08 (when there is a plethora of better options) with a newbie that obviously doesn't understand terminal ballistics is not "devolving", it's nipping a half-baked idea in the bud. Kudos to you for recognizing that something like a 300 Win. Mag. is a better tool for that job.
As for barrel heat...Go to a local PSR event. Watch and learn. Heck, participate...they are a TON of fun. You'll witness shooters bark off 8-10 rounds in fairly rapid succession seemingly without concern for barrel heat. The level of sustained accuracy out beyond 600+ yards would likely surprise you. Some very, very hot rifles can still shoot very, very well. Key word...some. But that's beside the point. Instead, as a hunter, you should be focusing on where your first ethical cold bore shot goes. Once you've mastered that and can keep it within 1.5-2 MOA under all field conditions/positions out to 350 yards, then you can seek to understand and integrate what your particular rifle does when it gets progressively hotter.
Don't let these guys get ya down on a 500yard shot.If you can put it in the boiler room at 500 with quality ammo then I say do it . :chuckle: :tup:
I try to take two or three guns target shoot.trade out after four rounds.If you can hold the barrel for any amount of time your good to keep shooting,if you can only hold it for 5 sec you need to cool,if you can't even touch it hotter than a firecracker you went to far , but may still shoot good when it cools down.
I have noticed that ar15 stay a lot cooler I can shoot 10-20 it's about as hot as my bolt action guns with five rounds ,gas blow back or something keeps it cooler ,now a mini 14 I can shoot one mag 20 rds and thing is hotter than fiablo sause.
All guns are different for heat up ,it's up to you to know what your gun can handle.
...and don't let someone that obviously doesn't know what he's talking about give you advise.
(advice)
Well, you got me there Josh. :chuckle: I noted that you made no such grammar or spelling inferences for hunter399. ;)
The struggle is real, @Bushcraft
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If your rifle shoots a different poi cold vs hot then yes cooling is needed in a hunting rifle. If not no worries. Burning up a barrel is just part of shooting. It costs more to burn up a barrel than it does to replace one. Barrels are like tires. You’ll go through more when you drive a lot. Personally I look forward to the rebarrel.....other than the wait time
:tup: and if i'm not mistaken we are talking about a hunting rifle,that is changing poi.
I don't think that's been brought up previously in this thread but yes, I can see the word "if"
You yourself said that the only good rifle is an accurate one and a gun that changes POI when "hot" at 3-5 rounds isn't worth fiddling with to me. A guy will spend more time and money tinkering and trying to polish that turd when he should be shooting
"I don't think that's been brought up previously in this thread"
IF you're referring to the HUNTING RIFLE, Maybe you should take a min. and read the op. :tup:
Also, I completely agree with the polishing turd point but not everyone can go out and buy the best of the best.Remember these awesome contours we have now were not around much 30 years ago when great shooters made them work.When someone goes out and spends their hard earned money on a rifle they feel should be great but turns out junk can't just take it back.Not everyone can eat $700. and not everyone has a wife :chuckle: that will accept that either.Use what you bought until it can get replaced. :tup:
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“Where do you draw the line and stop shooting to give the barrel time to cool down? And how do you know when it's cool enough? Basically, I'm wondering how to tell if I'm causing the groups to open up or if I'm still doing things right and the barrel is just getting too hot.”
Does sound like groups open up
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The most meaningful measure of a big game hunting rifle’s accuracy is this: go to the range, take one shot from a cold barrel. Take the target home. Return another day. Take another shot at the same target from a cold barrel. Repeat three more times.
I care about first shot accuracy from a cold barrel for hunting. If a hunting rifle changes POI after three shots because it’s hot I couldn’t really care much less.
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The most meaningful measure of a big game hunting rifle’s accuracy is this: go to the range, take one shot from a cold barrel. Take the target home. Return another day. Take another shot at the same target from a cold barrel. Repeat three more times.
I care about first shot accuracy from a cold barrel for hunting. If a hunting rifle changes POI after three shots because it’s hot I couldn’t really care much less.
exactly. :kneel:
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The most meaningful measure of a big game hunting rifle’s accuracy is this: go to the range, take one shot from a cold barrel. Take the target home. Return another day. Take another shot at the same target from a cold barrel. Repeat three more times.
I care about first shot accuracy from a cold barrel for hunting. If a hunting rifle changes POI after three shots because it’s hot I couldn’t really care much less.
OK, I'm DEFINITELY going to do that. Seems obvious, but I never would have thought of it. Thanks! I might actually be able to get away with a single shot per day on my own property without worrying my neighbors :chuckle:
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That theory is great until stuff goes wrong and you need those extra shots. In a perfect world that's great but this is not a perfect world. I've shot a pile of rifles and many different calibers and even the cheap stuff like marlin xl7, remAdl , and ruger Americans will hold MOA through a half dozen shots or more. Only rifle I have shot that wouldn't was the few kimber I've played with.
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"ONLY RIFLE THAT WOULDN'T WAS THE FEW KIMBER I'VE PLAYED WITH"
So you're saying it happens. :chuckle:
Is Kimber a cheap brand?1 you just buy,No good,Go buy another?
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I'm going to try Bob's trick for sure, but that certainly won't be the end of it. I'll just swap to a new target for the second+ shots when I'm at the range.
Now to find time to experiment...
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"ONLY RIFLE THAT WOULDN'T WAS THE FEW KIMBER I'VE PLAYED WITH"
So you're saying it happens. :chuckle:
Is Kimber a cheap brand?1 you just buy,No good,Go buy another?
never once said it didn't happen. No kimbers are not cheap. They are very over priced dog turds in my opninion :chuckle:
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I'm going to try Bob's trick for sure, but that certainly won't be the end of it. I'll just swap to a new target for the second+ shots when I'm at the range.
Now to find time to experiment...
or instead of wasting a lot of money in gas, range fees, and time you could just let your barrel fully cool between shots :chuckle:
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What a novel concept. :yeah: so much jibberish to end up at the same spot as several posts ago before all the bull.
Using what you Karl and Bullblaster have stated in this thread even if its 1 shot then home if it was fun and the shot placement was where expected.
Or the other one mentioned by others take other guns it will never be a waste of time.
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What a novel concept. :yeah: so much jibberish to end up at the same spot as several posts ago before all the bull.
Here we go again... :dunno:
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Guy wants to shoot long oh mah. You dont get proficient at that by shooting 5 rounds here and there. Get a good zero and start banging. If a gun cant hold moa after more than a couple rounds it's time to sell it and get something better suited for the task.
Nobody even really knows what your point is since we cant sift through your own jibberish :twocents:
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Locked for more than a barrell cool down.
@Oh Mah My impression is you are nit picking for nit picking sake.
I may be missing other comments and am not going back over every post. Not all advice is perfect in the giving or receiving. What you do with it is up to the individual.
This one is done.