Cold bore zero versus (very) Hot bore zero “test”

[Marbles]

Truth be told, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m in my mid 40’s and it’s our first. I’m probably doing it wrong.

Be glad your baby naps, that is one thing your should do.

 

[Tell]

Im in the same boat. My wife tries to nap when he does and that means I can’t make any noise in the house. My shooting time actually increased a fair amount that winter because of it.

 

[journeyman713]

Just pour water on hot barrels to cool.

Pouring water include tatanium or aluminum suppressor?

Yeah. As long as it isn’t glowing, it’s fine.

On that note, barrels are consumables. People should be trying to wear them out and be proud about it. Use the mess out of it, when it needs a new one the cost of a rebarrel pales in comparison to the cost that was spent on ammo wearing it out.

The only value in things are in their destruction.

Form, please keep in mind, there are new members in this community that don’t know you, and may take your advice based on your excessive post count.

You keep suggesting, “Pouring water on a Hot barrel, and Suppressor” - Bad advice, clearly.

You support getting a barrel smoking hot, despite your findings ‘point of impact stays the same’ (until of course the throat wears out, from it). It’s no wonder, Loctite don’t work on your guns, you abuse the hell out them. Fine, in the name of testing, or a zombie apocalypse, but recommended??? Maybe rotate in another gun, while one air cools, don’t you think?

 

[Hurley88]

@journeyman713 I think you’re hinting at a worthwhile discussion. Where’s the dividing line? Some guys have access to all the ammo & guns they could want, to the point where they’re tools that get used. Most don’t. But those that don’t still need to increase their practice if they want to have more success hunting, less rodeos, etc.

What habits baby the gun and reduce practice versus abuse the gun and cause expensive barrel replacement or suppressor warranty claims? What matters?

My situation is different, I can rotate several guns and shoot to my heart’s content so barrel cooling is something they do while I shoot. I didn’t intend to buy that many, or the shade canopy, or the gun rack to hold them wherever I am…and I wouldn’t advocate a guy having to buy several rifles in order to get in some practice. I lean towards not advocating for cooking their barrels either, but I don’t know for sure (hence my ongoing 243 barrel test).

Anyway. Would like to see a healthy discussion on that point.

 

[atmat]

I think y'all are overthinking this. @Formidilosus is right — just shoot your guns. They’re gonna hold up.

 

[Marbles]

I think y'all are overthinking this. @Formidilosus is right — just shoot your guns. They’re gonna hold up.

No, it is desperation to defend a bad position at this point, not over thinking.

His argument has evolved as he has been forced to abandon some trenches.

 

[MagnumHntr]

You keep suggesting, “Pouring water on a Hot barrel, and Suppressor” - Bad advice, clearly.

If it is not glowing red, what is the problem with this? What damage will occur?

 

[Choupique]

is right — just shoot your guns. They’re gonna hold up.

If they aren't junk.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Truth be told, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’m in my mid 40’s and it’s our first. I’m probably doing it wrong.

Nap time is when you do your wife

 

[Tell]

People have different goals and priorities. Pouring water on a hot barrel will reduce the heat and mirage. If I had a mirage band I wouldn’t have used snow on mine but I didn’t have time and other guns at the ready and I wanted to practice. That was more important to me than barrel life on that rifle. I guess I don’t see the problem with doing that.

 

[Formidilosus]

Form, please keep in mind, there are new members in this community that don’t know you, and may take your advice based on your excessive post count.

You keep suggesting, “Pouring water on a Hot barrel, and Suppressor” - Bad advice, clearly.

You support getting a barrel smoking hot, despite your findings ‘point of impact stays the same’ (until of course the throat wears out, from it). It’s no wonder, Loctite don’t work on your guns, you abuse the hell out them. Fine, in the name of testing, or a zombie apocalypse, but recommended??? Maybe rotate in another gun, while one air cools, don’t you think?

“Oh no- you poured water on your barrel!!!”


How do you shoot in the rain…

 

[atmat]

“Oh no- you poured water on your barrel!!!”


How do you shoot in the rain…

People don’t hardly shoot in nice weather. You think they shoot in the rain?

 

[West2East]

I live in coastal Oregon so unless it's June-September, you're shooting in the rain. I have honestly never seen a group open up with my tikka 6.5 from shot one of the day to shot 20. The only thing I have noticed is mirage being bad enough I have to slow down to be able to shoot groups at 100 and for my 700yd target to stop waving around.
I did have a scenario last Oct where I was doing some 350 -700yd practice and shooting as quick as I could. The barrel was cooking and my rounds were getting soaking wet sitting beside me. I had a few at the end of my session where it was pretty heavy bolt close and even harder bolt open (I believe due to everything being drenched). But no loss in accuracy through the session.
I do have an 1970's M77 30-06 that is good for about 3 rounds until it starts opening up to a 6in group at 100yds. But that rifle probably has about 2000rds on it between my dad and I and it's a safe queen now.

 

[journeyman713]

The bottom is after the rifle has been shot a bunch, absolutely smoking. Water sizzled when poured on it-

“Oh no- you poured water on your barrel!!!”

How do you shoot in the rain…

You think these two things are the same?

 

[Formidilosus]

People don’t hardly shoot in nice weather. You think they shoot in the rain?

No of course they don’t.

Shoot, I mean.

 

[Formidilosus]

You think these two things are the same?

I think I actually shoot and know what happens, and you guess.

From your personal experience, what happens when you pour water on a barrel to cool it off?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I think I actually shoot and know what happens, and you guess.

From your personal experience, what happens when you pour water on a barrel to cool it off?

Please don’t tell him about old-fashioned, water-cooled, machine guns.

 

[Hurley88]

Oh wow. Just checked back and…seems to be a history here. FWIW my question was more in the vein of general care versus abuse bc most of the guys I try to get shooting just won’t. They over clean, tell me I’m abusing mine, etc. But I’ve seen them shoot in the field and one day there’ll be a rodeo. At which point tbh I’m done with them. A guy doesn’t practice, screws up a shot, has been warned…I’m out.

Just out of sheer curiosity I decided to treat two barrels I’m not using in a vastly different manner to see what happens.

…and everyone knows that when you shoot in the rain the bullet cannot possibly make it to the target anyway

 

[Formidilosus]

Please don’t tell him about old-fashioned, water-cooled, machine guns.

Stop spooking the hole!

 

[tstowater]

I'm terrible at cleaning barrels and probably have shot them too hot (for some people) when shooting prairie dogs. We have found some powders don't want to be in a hot chamber very long without building pressure in those loads.

For the advocates of "don't worry about a hot barrel", what attention are you taking to make sure the loads are temperature stable? Example, are Hodgdon Extreme powders or something similar being used. Or, are you just going to get it lit shortly after chambering a round? When we are dog shooting, we are going to keep the chamber open until ready to shoot to hopefully cool the barrel a little and keep the loads from getting too warm.