Electrical tape on muzzle

[domyalex]

So, some hunters at work have said to me they usually put a bit of electrical tape on the muzzle when hunting. This avoids debris, mud and water from getting into the barrel.

They say that normal hunting rounds will just blow off the tape and no extra pressure is generated.

While I understand the concern of getting stuff into the barrel, I'm not exactly confy with the idea of something tapping the muzzle.

Has anybody here actually done it?

 

[M12shooter]

Very good habit to get into.

 

[wapitiwhacker]

I think you will find many do, without ill effects.Others use small balloons or finger cots to the same end.

 

[Scott_N]

Yes, I do it all the time. Perfectly safe, and it won't change the point of impact of your rifle. Make a couple of extra wraps around your barrel in case you take a shot, you can re-cover your bore.

 

[Mighty Peace]

I do it when its snowing or raining...no problems. I dont place the tape on really tight

 

[Doc M]

Great habit to get into, for sure. I don't do it if it's dry out, but if it's snowing or raining, or if I'm transiting rough/muddy territory and there's a risk of a muzzle-drop into something like swamp muck, tape is great insurance. Condom with an elastic band, finger cot, balloon, aluminum foil (think gum wrapper)... none of these will raise pressures to any sort of unsafe level; the bullet just shoots through it, or the air column in front of the bullet will push the cover off before the bullet even gets there.

It's a lot better than having an inch of ice or mud in the end of your barrel, that's for damned sure!

-M

 

[fish_e_o]

i tested it with a 223 and there was no provable difference at 200yds

 

[chappy]

i have done it for years. tried ballons and such too. electrical tape works the best for me.

 

[MD]

I do it all the time and have shot through the tape many times.

 

[Slugo]

A foam ear plug works pretty well also. Just put it in about half way.

 

[domyalex]

Thx people!

Kind of weird just figuring out something that mostly everybody has been doing for some time, I guess you never stop learning...

I'm surprised it worked on the .223, I would have thought it would just stick to the tape! </joke>

 

[Cummins4x4]

Done it for years. Once had the first round fail to chamber due to the barrel being full of snow! Luckily no damage other than a missed buck.

 

[stanway]

I always tape the muzzle before heading out hunting - wet or dry. Keeps the spruce needle and anything else out. I have tested it at the range with zero affect on POI.

 

[stubblejumper]

When hunting,my rifle barrels always wear a strip of Scotch 88 over the muzzle.

 

[Don Doucette]

finger cots are my choice.

 

[TonyMo]

We have a dollar store bag of the small balloons at the hunt camp. Works great for keeping crap out of the barrel.

 

[kodiakjack]

Cots and balloons are my choice too.

One important note though: when coming in from the cold, remove the cover as soon as possible. Otherwise, condensation can develop.

 

[Aries-]

get the little "finger condoms" from the drug store. the ones for protecting a cut finger from grease and grime. they fit over most bbl's perfectly.

 

[Don Doucette]

Cots and balloons are my choice too.

One important note though: when coming in from the cold, remove the cover as soon as possible. Otherwise, condensation can develop.

 

[the keepa]

Have been doing this for years .
I put two pieces of electricians tape over the muzzle ...one vertically and one horizontally plus I wrap another piece around the very end of the barrel to keep the ends from unsticking ........plus....I also keep a few wraps further down the barrel to replace the shot out tape .
I mostly hunt/shoot from elevated , heated and insulated shooting shacks...I have 6 shooting shacks in different locations to choose from....will build one more this spring .
Even in these ideal conditions , I still tape my muzzle .