Hunting rifles # of shots/accuracy issues.

Hirsch

Hirsch

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I tried to search this topic up but didn't find what I was looking for, so I'll start one up.

How many shots do you fire through your hunting rifles in one sitting (allowing for cool down) before your groups open up?
I know the answers will vary a great deal depending on make, model, and circumstance, but I'm just trying to gauge a general idea of what other shooters experience.
 
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Completely depends on the rifle and ammo used.

I usually don't shoot enough in one sitting with the hunting rifles for groups to open up.

On average my hunting rifles will go 60 rounds before a good bore cleaning is required, it's usually copper buildup that affects my groups. I've found (in my experience..... ahem) a new rifle fouls up up quicker, so I like to do a "break in", many will disagree.....

I like to do a good scrub of the bore/chamber before hunting season, fire a dozen or so rounds to foul and verify zero, then I don't worry about it.
 
My primary hunting rig is a Sako 85 Finnlight in 270WSM, running Winchester 140gr Accubonds. As I am happy with this rig, and do not plan on changing any of its components, I start every season with 3 shots to confirm my grouping at 100 metres. As long as it's on; and it always has been, I take 2 shots at 200m, 2 at 300m, then one at a 500m plate. Anything after that is a field shot at an animal. When I first acquired this rifle it saw fairly significant use for me to get comfortable with the feel and make adjustments to the scope. But, anytime I fired 4 or more shots without allowing cooling, the groupings opened up from the beauty cloverleafs to as mush as 3 and 4 inches.
 
I shoot three shots one after the other, and then let the barrel cool. I shoot the three shots one after the other for two reasons, the first is that it simulates a possible hunting situation , and the second is to see if there is any stringing of the shots indicating a bedding issue.
 
Anytime the group opens up with shooting one after the other, it is almost surely a bedding problem.
Every shooting competition, even bench rest shooting competitions, have time limits, which means the shooting must be done with the barrel heating.
 
First shot
15-20 seconds
Second shot
30-40 seconds
3rd shot
50-60 seconds
4th shot
70-80 seconds
5th shot.

Cold winter days this times can sometimes be halved.
Hot still summer days sometimes doubling the times doesn't seem enough.

It's also rifle and cartridge dependant. Thin mountain contour barrels and an overbore cartridge, means being aware that barrel heating isn't good for the longevity of the rifle.
 
I don't as a habit shoot groups with my hunting rifles once the load is worked up, have a few rifles that I take to the range for that.
I do take two shots generally however with my hunting rifles fro kneeling and standing at 4 different distances , whenever I do take the to the range.
The barrel is allowed to cool after each second shot.

Cat
 
My "group" criteria for a hunting rifle, once it is sighted in, and shooting where I want it to. [usually +3" at 100 yards]

I take one shot at a 300M target out of a cold, but fouled, barrel.
At least 2 hours later, another shot at the same target, same time elapsed, another shot....until there are 5 holes in the target.

That constitutes what I can expect from this rifle under field conditions, with the first shot.
If this group is not to my satisfaction, I will find out why, or get back to load development. [For me, this group must measure <4moa]

Since the first shot at an animal is almost invariably the best shot, this practice has served me well over the years.

Regards, Dave.
 
Lots of good stuff guys, and a pretty similar response by many. For you fellows who allow your barrel to cool between shots, what are your groups like if you fire your string consecutively without allowing a cool down? I imagine groups grow a bit but I'm curious just how much they grow.
 
stubblejumper said:
I shoot three shots one after the other, and then let the barrel cool. I shoot the three shots one after the other for two reasons, the first is that it simulates a possible hunting situation , and the second is to see if there is any stringing of the shots indicating a bedding issue.
Click to expand...

That's about what I do, to replicate what I might expect on a hunt.

As for the opening up of groups, it all depends on the rifle itself. Some get a quick clean in as little as 40-50 rounds, others I clean when the rifle has more through it. Some rifles fall off worse than others.
 
Hirsch said:
Lots of good stuff guys, and a pretty similar response by many. For you fellows who allow your barrel to cool between shots, what are your groups like if you fire your string consecutively without allowing a cool down? I imagine groups grow a bit but I'm curious just how much they grow.
Click to expand...

It depends a lot on the individual rifle. I have a pencil-barrelled 6mm that will place the first 3 into under ½ moa, but a 5-shot group will never be under 1½ moa if
I shoot 5 shots in succession, with only a brief wait between them.

My Lazerguard 30-06 does not open up much at all when 5 shots are fired the same way. Likewise 2 of my 308 Norma Magnums stay quite stable.
Custom rifle with aftermarket barrels are generally good in this respect.

Regards, Dave.
 
Good information from Dave "eagleye" but that equates to an 8 hour range session although he has probably processed five rifles in this time . . .
It is always of interest to know where the first shot goes out of a clean barrel then after a reasonable time where does the 2nd go, and eventually a 3rd.
The rifle is now fouled and ready to hunt.
The first shot is generally the best opportunity.
When you hear only one shot that should be a hit, two in rapid succession is a maybe and three quick shots is probably a miss!
 
Most of my aftermarket sporter weight barrels group reasonably well until the barrel gets to warm to be held comfortably. So, cool days I generally shoot five shot groups with a bit of cool time between groups. Wandering shots are likely indicative of stress in the steel so some show less than others. When preparing for hunting, I leave my rifle/ammo in my vehicle outside overnight, and shoot one shot from the cold/clean barrel at my "zero" target. Repeat several days. That gives me an accurate assessment of where that first shot during field conditions is going to go. Pinning down accuracy for a second shot is in most cases futile, as your heart rate will have doubled, and/or the animal will be moving:)
 
H4831 provided the answer I subscribe to...if your shots walk as the barrel heats up then something is not mechanically sound.

I've had barrels too hot to hold onto that shot exactly the same as when they are cold. All in the name of science, of course.
 
Life's too short to bother with barrels that walk when they warm up. You can hunt with them, but practicing is an exercise in frustration. Barrels are cheap compared to the cost of shooting, or the cost of driving to the range for most people.
 
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