Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: DUGANDEER on March 20, 2011, 01:12:39 PM

Title: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: DUGANDEER on March 20, 2011, 01:12:39 PM: So I am shooting a remington sendero in 300 ultra mag and I am having trouble with my "cold bore" first shot being high at longer ranges. The second follow up shot comes down and is right on. On paper at 200 my "cold bore" shot is right on. Its just high at longer ranges 400 and out. Any thoughts on this or things to do to my rifle to eliminate the high first shot would be great.
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: 270Shooter on March 20, 2011, 01:16:20 PM: aim a little lower
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 20, 2011, 01:50:23 PM: Part of shooting at any range is knowing where your cold bore shot hits at various ranges. Remember too, that our big game animals have a pretty good sized kill zone, where being off an inch or two probably won't mean the difference in a kill or not. Long range competitors document their cold bore shot for various ranges and know it well as the first shot is just as important as the last.

-Steve
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: sakoshooter on March 20, 2011, 02:18:10 PM: Cold barrel shot or your first shot is the one you want to sight in for, for hunting.
It's been my experience that a first shot out of a cold barrel hits where ever and following shots out of a warm or hot barrel hit higher. This is not gospel but you might want to double check all your screws for tightness, action, bases, rings etc.
From chronographing almost all of my hand loads, shots read higher velocities as the barrel warms up. Relative to higher temps. Even on a cold day, a hot barrel will quickly warm up a load while you're aiming. Thus create higher pressures and velocities.
Data doesn't always coincide with reality but usually.
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: WARHORSE on March 20, 2011, 02:40:00 PM: Quote from: 270Shooter on March 20, 2011, 01:16:20 PM
aim a little lower
:yeah: :yeah: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: high country on March 20, 2011, 06:43:33 PM: what is your definition of "a little"?
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: demontang on March 20, 2011, 06:49:25 PM: Yea I would like to know show much different it is from cold bore to after? I know my 338win first shot at 350yds is about a 1/2" lower then the following group shots. :dunno:
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 20, 2011, 06:49:48 PM: Quote from: high country on March 20, 2011, 06:43:33 PM
what is your definition of "a little"?
Adjust your aim relative to the difference in where the cold bore shot hits to where the warm barrel shot hits. I know of a rifle that shoots a little left when it's cold. Metalurgy and temperature can be tricky sometimes.

-Steve
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: Bob33 on March 20, 2011, 07:15:36 PM: I'm going to differ with everyone else and blame it on too small of a sample. If your first shot at 200 is "right on", then being high at 400 yards can only be due to higher velocity, which is contrary to common sense. The first shot is typically slower, not faster.
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 20, 2011, 08:00:31 PM: Well, normally it would depend on what the MPBR is to assist with knowing where impact will be down range. But I'll have to agree with Bob33 on this one. If it's a bit low at 200 with a cold bore, and dead on at 400, then your cold bore shot varies by more than 9 inches at 200. (I took a guess that you're shooting a 165gn bullet at 3100fps) And that's to be dead on at 400. Certainly not a couple inches low at 200. Your post information does not add up.

-Steve
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: sakoshooter on March 20, 2011, 11:00:05 PM: Quote from: Bob33 on March 20, 2011, 07:15:36 PM
I'm going to differ with everyone else and blame it on too small of a sample. If your first shot at 200 is "right on", then being high at 400 yards can only be due to higher velocity, which is contrary to common sense. The first shot is typically slower, not faster.

Bob, You weren't differing. You just backed up what I'd said earlier.
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: Bob33 on March 20, 2011, 11:06:07 PM: Quote from: sakoshooter on March 20, 2011, 11:00:05 PM
Quote from: Bob33 on March 20, 2011, 07:15:36 PM
I'm going to differ with everyone else and blame it on too small of a sample. If your first shot at 200 is "right on", then being high at 400 yards can only be due to higher velocity, which is contrary to common sense. The first shot is typically slower, not faster.

Bob, You weren't differing. You just backed up what I'd said earlier.
I reread your post and agree. Thanks.
Title: Re: Cold Bore shot at long range?
Post by: fair-chase on March 20, 2011, 11:22:46 PM: I agree that there needs to be more information on this before a judgment call can be made. Something is not adding up here.

1. What is "a little high"?

2. What is your definition of cold bore shot?
Is it just the first shot of the day, or is it a squeaky clean rifle with no fouling?

3. What is your elevation gain/drop on the 200 and 400 yard target?

4. Are you running a muzzle brake?