barrel cooling question

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holfeldian

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Hey guys,

I have a Remington 700 7mm rem mag... I use this for both hunting and I've been having fun reloading and learning some precision shooting as well.

I'm mostly interested in the placement of my cold bore shots, because I hunt, would it be a good idea to cool the barrel with an ice pack or something so I do t have to wait 30 minutes between 3 shot groups? It's a sporter barrel so it heats up quick and cools down pretty slowly!
 
If it is for hunting shoot a 5 shot group at 100 or 200yds whatever you prefer and then move your scope turrets so you put the center of your group where you want it and be done with it.
I can guarantee you if the rifle shoots in an inch @ 100 the first cold shot is not always going to be in the exact same place.
 
Just take more guns to the range with you. When I'm shooting my 338 Lapua or my 308 for accuracy I just take a few shots then go play with a 223 or a handgun for a little while and let the rifle cool off. It's too boring sitting and waiting for it to cool.
 
How fast are you shooting the three shots? You'll never be firing 3 fast shots at game.
I wouldn't bother with artificial cooling methods. They won't be the same as field conditions anyway.
 
sunray said:
How fast are you shooting the three shots? You'll never be firing 3 fast shots at game.
I wouldn't bother with artificial cooling methods. They won't be the same as field conditions anyway.
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^^^ Clearly never hunted before and obviously doesn't understand what the OP is trying to do.
 
you shoot 3 (or 5) shot groups to try to find the most precise load, you dont shoot stings of bullets when hunting, but you want to know where your first shot is going to land... thats why i was asking about barrel cooling, the first shot is in a "cold bore" so i want to mimic that as much as possible! And i am in the process of buying my first handgun... its a 22 so itll be hours of cheap fun!

But I was also wondering about cooling the barrel quicker, just because then i can get more done at the range!
 
I do the same thing. That's why you buy multiple guns...


cr5 said:
Just take more guns to the range with you. When I'm shooting my 338 Lapua or my 308 for accuracy I just take a few shots then go play with a 223 or a handgun for a little while and let the rifle cool off. It's too boring sitting and waiting for it to cool.
Click to expand...
 
Also 5 rds group with a sporter barrel is going to heat up no matter what....bringing more guns to play while it cools is a good idea
 
I've used bags of ice a few times, when it was hot out and I didn't have a month to fight with working up loads. I put the rifle upside down on one bag, as close to the scope as possible. Then another bag was draped over the barrel. It doesn't take long to pull the heat out of the barrel and the upside down position keeps the moisture out of the bedding.

I've tried canned air with some success, but what I really want to some day is a shot of CO2, or maybe just an air tank.

Usually just rototing through rifles is enough.
 
holfeldian said:
Hey guys,

I have a Remington 700 7mm rem mag... I use this for both hunting and I've been having fun reloading and learning some precision shooting as well.

I'm mostly interested in the placement of my cold bore shots, because I hunt, would it be a good idea to cool the barrel with an ice pack or something so I do t have to wait 30 minutes between 3 shot groups? It's a sporter barrel so it heats up quick and cools down pretty slowly!
Click to expand...

I pull the bolt between shots for natural air flow. I usually have a Winston puffing to pass time during cooling. 5 mins does it.
I don't recommend CO2 or ice. Rapid cooling could temper the steel in a slight, but measurable way.
Not being critical to anyone that does.
The idea of a cold bore doesnt mean below zero. Simply means - not hot.
A fan blowing air through the pipe sounds like a good way to dissipate heat.
Ps I'm no sniper or metallurgist.
 
The reality of it is unless you are 1000yd+ hunting it doesn't matter.
Like already said, if you can pull that rifle out cold and fire a 3 shot group that is anywhere near moa, that means your cold bore shot was within one moa of the following hot barrel shots. That is more than accurate enough for hunting.
 
Dogleg said:
I've tried canned air with some success, but what I really want to some day is a shot of CO2, or maybe just an air tank.
Click to expand...

Fudge Monkey said:
I don't recommend CO2 or ice. Rapid cooling could temper the steel in a slight, but measurable way.
Not being critical to anyone that does.
Click to expand...

If you want cooling and fast cooling, pull the bolt, get a can of compressed air for cleaning keyboards etc, flip it upside down to let the liquid out, down the draw and down the barrel... but that'll freeze it pretty quick, if you shoot a string and it gets hot, that much rapid cooling would NOT be good, then there is the hot / cold / condensation / rust issues

another way to look at it is why not try to keep your barrel warm while out hunting? then you aren't REALLY shooting a fully cold barrel..? :)
 
another way to look at it is why not try to keep your barrel warm while out hunting? then you aren't REALLY shooting a fully cold barrel..?
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Actually, there are hunting situations where a screaming hot barrel is normal. My culling rifles are selected more for the ability to hold zero when they are smoking than the ability to put them in the same hole when they are cold.
 
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