223 Barrel Heating, Sporter vs Heavy?

[agent_mango]

A while back I had a 26 inch heavy barrel savage in 223 which I liked, but I decided to sell. Now I'm thinking about getting another savage for some accurate target shooting. I'd like to try out a 223 weather warrior with the new accustock: http:// savagearms.com/16flhss.htm

I think I'd enjoy the greater handiness of the 22 inch sporter barrel, but I'm worried about barrel heating. How many 5 shot groups could I fire (at a rate of 5 shots a minute) before it would need a cool down period, and how does this compare to a heavy barrel?

 

[1/2 MOA]

One five shot group a minute. If I shot ten shots in two minutes with my 26" heavy barrel .223 it would need cooling.

 

[zimbu]

Hang a damp(not soggy) paper towel or rag over your barrel and it'll be cold in five minutes.

 

[SuperCub]

It takes longer for a heavy bbl to cool down.



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[jessekf]

It takes longer for a heavy bbl to cool down.



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It also takes more to heat them up!

 

[CyaN1de]

My sporter barrel Tikka T3 would get extremely hot after 12 rounds in 8-10 minutes. On really hot days you could smell the steel heating up to temps it probably should not have been at.

Pencil thin sporter barrels are not designed to be fired repeatedly in rapid succession.