How many shots can I take until I have to cool my barrell?

[Shooter Fred]

I am working on some new loads...I was wondering if someone can tell me if I should cool my barrell after each shot or shoot a group of 3 or 5 then let it cool?

Any suggestions?

I am shooting a 300 RUM if it makes a difference.

[venom600]

That totally depends on your rifle and the conditions at the range as well.

My philosophy:
I shoot mine until the barrel is almost uncomfortable to touch. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot. In my 300 RUM with a fluted Sendero contour barrel, that usually means about 5 shots.

--Ben

[Shooter Fred]

Originally Posted by venom600

That totally depends on your rifle and the conditions at the range as well.

My philosophy:
I shoot mine until the barrel is almost uncomfortable to touch. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot. In my 300 RUM with a fluted Sendero contour barrel, that usually means about 5 shots.

--Ben

That's good to know, I am also shooting a Sendero in 300 Rum. Do you cool it off with water or ice or just let it air cool? Any best practices there?

[venom600]

Just let it air cool. I'm no metallurgist, but rapidly cooling the barrel with something like water or ice doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

--Ben

[Shooter Fred]

Thanks Ben

[learning]

Three and let it cool.

[Mikecr]

I would let it cool a minute between shots -for only a few shots, from cold.
Then I'd let it cool an hour or so before repeating.
That's me though..

For barrel life it ain't the barrel you wanna cool, but the throat specifically.
Let that heat sink away from the throat, or you'll damage it with successive shots.