I went to the range with my SKS, I took 120 rounds with me. I started shooting and after maybe 20 round the barrel got very hot. I know the rule of thumb is to take your hand and if you can not hold it on the barrel for more then ten seconds, its too hot and should be left to cool. After 20-30 rounds, the barrel is too hot to hold for 2 seconds, let alone 10 My question is, how many rounds do you usually shoot before cool down? what are the risk of changing the tempering of the steel if it get too hot?
How many rounds before cool down?
- Thread starter LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1
- Start date
TacticalVirus
Regular
- Location
- Ottawa, Ontario
I would imagine that a military rifle would have a heavy enough barrel that you would have to stop firing after 20 rounds. In the CF people routinely fire rifles and mgs to the point that touching the barrels = burns. I doubt an SKS would have problems being treated the same way.
Thing about that though, is that its a military organization. I have no doubt that the Russians fire these things until they were smoking, but if the barrel did wear out from excessive heat, they would just send the rifle to be refurbished. I guess I am a little paranoid, the rifle will probably out last me even if I shoot it red hot (not gonna do that)
hahaha
No worries, giver till ya see flames. Thats why it has a upper hand guard. Don't forget, the sks was designed as a military rifle, built to take abuse and used by peasants to fight western imperialist pigs.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
I don't think this will be an issue for us target shooters, who aim before we shoot. Those who like to make a lot of noise in a hurry, maybe 300 rds in 4 minutes, may need to relieve themselves on their barrel.
Barrels are made of ordnance steel that should not affected until the steel glows a dull red.
A more relevant indicator of overheating is loss of bullet velocity, which will be obvious when your bullets hit dirt in front of your target.
Anyways, the 7.62 x 39 rd is a medium velocity rifle round at 2300-2400 fps, which does not produce as much heat from bullet friction and/or propellant gases as a 7.62 x 51 (2700 fps), or 5.56 x 45 at 3,100 fps.
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With a 5 shot mag, even with stripper clips, I can't see you overheating to the point of barrel damage. With a belt fed full auto, you can get the barrel to go red, but that is an abusive or desparate situation.
First time I read this I thought "Good one", but I was at the range today and the wood around the handguard started smoking after only 60 rounds. That's ridiculous! And it took a helluva long time to cool down, I didn't want to stick it in the case too soon for fear it would melt the foam padding, hehe.
