I've been reloading for a few months now and have worked up a couple of loads for two different calibers. I was wondering how long most people wait between shots when developing your load. When testing accuracy, do you wait 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or longer to give your barrel a chance to cool down? Or would it depend upon the gun itself? It would be a shame to take the time/expense to test loads only to find my results are not valid because the barrel was too hot. Your advice would be appreciated.
Time Between Shots
- Thread starter Norm99
- Start date
Personally (and I am no expert) I take three shots in under a minute and then let it cool for awhile, like the time it takes to walk 100 yds twice or something to that effect.
On hot days I am going to start removing the bolt to allow better cooling.
On hot days I am going to start removing the bolt to allow better cooling.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
At one time I would wait for a full minute between shots, but I don't anymore. I'll fire a 3 shot group (hunting rifle) or a 5 shot group (target/varmint rifle) and allow the barrel to cool, bolt open, while I go and check the target. When you are shooting for accuracy, timing your shot for the wind or mirage is more important than allowing a cooling time between shots. Bench shooters often hammer rounds down range as fast as possible when the conditions are just right.
Developing load is a crucial moment so I dont think it would be reasonable to look for any economies in time. I take full three minutes between shots although usually I have 30 loads to shoot (six groups of five cartridges) Neither do I think three shots could be enough. Only a group of 5 can give you confidence. Besides, in my procedure I attach six targets at once - one target per group - and I shoot first all first cartridges of each group into their respective targets then I pass to second cartridges and so on. One can say I shoot all six groups at the same time to avoid errors due to changing weather and my fatigue.
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I am not a bench rest shooter.
For my own load work-ups I shoot a three or five round group fairly quickly, then put that rifle on a ready rack to cool while I shoot another rifle. I do not put a second group through that rifle until the barrel is cool to the touch forward of the chamber.
The serious rifle shooters at my range tend to let their barrels cool completely between shots. BUT the exception that proves the rule is the best shooter I know, who whales away until his barrel is quite hot, might be three groups or even four, then he goes up to check the targets.
Doug
For my own load work-ups I shoot a three or five round group fairly quickly, then put that rifle on a ready rack to cool while I shoot another rifle. I do not put a second group through that rifle until the barrel is cool to the touch forward of the chamber.
The serious rifle shooters at my range tend to let their barrels cool completely between shots. BUT the exception that proves the rule is the best shooter I know, who whales away until his barrel is quite hot, might be three groups or even four, then he goes up to check the targets.
Doug
mihasic said:
Neat method. I may use it. I think your method may also be more consistant with regards to the cooling issue. Seeing as all groups are being fired at the same time, Round one, or all six first shots will be almost on par with barrel heat. Then Round two, or all six second shots will be again on par with each other as compared to all the other Firing Rounds. You have effectively distributed the heating issue over six shooting rounds. Good Work.
Pretty much how I do it i will put the group down range farly quickly, but also keep in mind that you have to give some time between shots to allow the throat of the barrel to cool enough so as not to get into a throat errosion situation.
Try this:
1 shot, wait 15 seconds, close the bolt sight and fire the second shot. open the bolt and leave open
Wait 1 minuite close the bolt sight and fire the third shot.
Open the bolt and leave open for 2 minuites then close, sight and fire #4, open bolt wait 3 minuites, sight fire and then let the rifle cool out totally.
Big magnums and large doses of slow burning propellents are hellish on throats, give these this treatment and you'll get longer throat life than your buddy who shoots like Washing Machine Gun Charlie.
Try this:
1 shot, wait 15 seconds, close the bolt sight and fire the second shot. open the bolt and leave open
Wait 1 minuite close the bolt sight and fire the third shot.
Open the bolt and leave open for 2 minuites then close, sight and fire #4, open bolt wait 3 minuites, sight fire and then let the rifle cool out totally.
Big magnums and large doses of slow burning propellents are hellish on throats, give these this treatment and you'll get longer throat life than your buddy who shoots like Washing Machine Gun Charlie.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
3-shot centre-fire groups take about 1-1/2 to 2 minutes on average.
Generally followed by a 5 minute wait.
Generally followed by a 5 minute wait.
A lot of it depends on the barrel. A heavy target/varminter barrel takes longer to heat up than a light hunting barrel. And there are different weight hunting barrels too.
In any case, hunting shots are taken with a cold barrel. Beretta boy's method is a good standard no matter what barrel you have.
In any case, hunting shots are taken with a cold barrel. Beretta boy's method is a good standard no matter what barrel you have.
