Barrel Tape Question

[BigCam47]

Midwesterner here. Can y’all explain taping the barrel of your rifles hunting out west. I understand it’s to prevent foreign material getting in and clogging the barrel but is it really necessary? Shotgun hunted for deer since I was a kid and never had to deal with an issue (keep your gun off the ground). Granted 12ga is obviously a bigger barrel orifice.

If it is seriously recommended, is there a certain tape you’d pick, and why?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Tim in Wa.]

electrical tape.I wouldn't use it on a shotgun though

 

[XLR]

Midwesterner here. Can y’all explain taping the barrel of your rifles hunting out west. I understand it’s to prevent foreign material getting in and clogging the barrel but is it really necessary? Shotgun hunted for deer since I was a kid and never had to deal with an issue (keep your gun off the ground). Granted 12ga is obviously a bigger barrel orifice.

If it is seriously recommended, is there a certain tape you’d pick, and why?

Thanks for the help!

A small piece of scotch tape works just fine. All you are trying to do is keep debris or rain out of the barrel. I don't do it all the time but a good idea if it is raining or you are hiking through a lot of brush!

 

[Oregonmuley]

Midwesterner here. Can y’all explain taping the barrel of your rifles hunting out west. I understand it’s to prevent foreign material getting in and clogging the barrel but is it really necessary? Shotgun hunted for deer since I was a kid and never had to deal with an issue (keep your gun off the ground). Granted 12ga is obviously a bigger barrel orifice.

If it is seriously recommended, is there a certain tape you’d pick, and why?

Thanks for the help!

If you are going to use tape make sure its blue electrical tape. Its guaranteed to make your gun shoot much better when hunting

 

[BigCam47]

electrical tape.I wouldn't use it on a shotgun though

Thanks for reply. Sorry I didn’t specify. Don’t intend on using it for shotgun. Just curious as the driver for putting it on a rifle

 

[zion zig zag]

I always do it, electrical tape. At the end of the season I'm always amazed at the places that dirt and pine needles have worked their way into after busting through the brush all season. I have to think that some would find it's way down my barrel if it wasn't taped.

 

[manitou1]

Many Western hunters put a LOT of miles in while encountering mud, snow, brush, pine needles, rocks and dirt. We hiked a LOT of miles during our elk and muley hunting this year.
That being said, I read a study several years ago whereas the tape DID affect accuracy at long distance, so I quit using it.

 

[Dave C.]

Many Western hunters put a LOT of miles in while encountering mud, snow, brush, pine needles, rocks and dirt. We hiked a LOT of miles during our elk and muley hunting this year.
That being said, I read a study several years ago whereas the tape DID affect accuracy at long distance, so I quit using it.

I'd like to see that study. I've always been of the understanding that tape doesn't affect accuracy at all.

 

[doggone]

Hunting the the coast range of OR and WA it can ran an inch a day at times...you have to really want to hunt to go out. I've used electrical tape for years. If you sling you rifle vertically keeping the scope clear is a major pain as well. And if you muzzleload hunt..."keeping your powder dry" is another experience.

 

[Freeride]

When I was further east in the flat areas it was easy to avoid pine needles and debris getting in my rifle. Western in the mountains with the slopes I have my rifle on my bag most of the time, the barrel is pointed up and gets dragged through pine trees all the time because of the slopes.

I put a little piece of electrical tape on there. Works good, peace of mind knowing it's debris free.

 

[Wrench]

I'd like to see that study. I've always been of the understanding that tape doesn't affect accuracy at all.

600 yd, 740, 850.....all taped first round hits within 2" of intended point of aim.

I use 77 electric tape and have 10 or so wraps on my barrel for replacement and tag wrap. I needed it in a jam once for a nasty cut too.

 

[Desk Jockey]

One of the outdoor mags did a study on accuracy impact. I can’t find it but the upshot was zero impact. There is enough gas in frnt of the slug to blow the tape off before e bullet exits the barrel.

I don’t find it needed for stand huntng but if I. Moving around, I tape up.

 

[yeti14]

I always tape. Trying to find a stick long and straight enough to push 2 inches of mud or snow out of the barrel is a pain in the ass. Ask me how I know...couple of times on my wife's rifle and mine. We hunt some pretty gnarly stuff in SEAK so we probably take more spills than the average hunter, haha

 

[WCB]

Hunting out west is a different ball game and even more so when you are back packed in somewhere. I have witnessed a fall followed by a plugged snow filled barrel. Also, there is no doubt more times where a guy has to crawl. You can be as careful as you want but when your barrel gets inadvertently stuck into a dirt mound or snow tape is a small insurance package.

Also, when ever a rifle goes into a scabbard tape goes on the end.

 

[zion zig zag]

I always tape. Trying to find a stick long and straight enough to push 2 inches of mud or snow out of the barrel is a pain in the ass. Ask me how I know...couple of times on my wife's rifle and mine. We hunt some pretty gnarly stuff in SEAK so we probably take more spills than the average hunter, haha

I carry about a two foot length of pretty stiff weed whacker line, just in case, even though I'm taped up. It's stiff enough to push through the barrel. I've never had to use it but supposedly it works.

 

[kloppy]

I see rifles taped all the time, never thought to do it with a shotgun. Although the only time it would have saved me was while turkey hunting, slipped in a swamp and buried 6" of mud in my 20ga barrel.

 

[oldillini]

As a Midwesterner, I have taped my rifle barrels on all my western hunts. Try to use a quality electrical tape in order to adhere better in inclement weather (low temps, rain, etc.) or if using scabbard while riding horses. More than once I have accidently shoved the barrel end into snow or mud.

Back home, if using the muzzleloader I often use a small balloon versus the tape. They are not as durable as the tape, but my midwestern environment seems to be more forgiving.

Never used wither on a shotgun. But only using the shotgun for bird or rabbit hunting.

 

[yeti14]

I carry about a two foot length of pretty stiff weed whacker line, just in case, even though I'm taped up. It's stiff enough to push through the barrel. I've never had to use it but supposedly it works.

That's a great idea

 

[CG86]

Use electrical tape. Not always needed. Mostly if you are in thick brush. More of an issue with rifle barrels than shotguns because it is harder to get debris out without a cleaning rod. I have always been told to do it when its wet and raining to keep water out but never actually heard any stories of anything happening when a little moisture gets in the barrel.

 

[BigCam47]

Thanks everyone for the input, very insightful!