**** cold bore groups****

[bigbuck]

I have been reading posts concerning barrel cool down. Several members when trying for groups do it differently, some let the barrel cool down and some shoot fowler shots. I personally shoot 2 fowler shots then I commence to shooting my groups. I understand that everyday befor climbimg into my stand I don't shoot fowlers which brings up my question has anyone ever tried to shoot one shot per day at say 100 or 200 yards for 4 or 5 days just to see what their group would look like? Sounds crazy but I thought it would be interesting to see the outcome I would have done this myself already and then shared the results but I don't have access at my residence to do such a thing.

BIGBUCK

 

[royinidaho]

A single shot fired once a day for several/many days at various distances is only way, in my considered opinion, determine system accuracy.

The system being the earth, metro conditions, rest, load, bullet and self plus some other things.

This isn't a crazy idea. Many shooters do it. Via this method one learns the rifle very well.

Having said all of that, I doubt it makes a squat, other than confidence under 500-600 yards.

Around teh 1k mark its a must.

 

[mo]

On my hunting rifle that's all I care about is a cold bore shot. I'll shoot one time a day for 3 or 4 mornings and get it right where I want it.

 

[justgoto]

has anyone ever tried to shoot one shot per day at say 100 or 200 yards for 4 or 5 days just to see what their group would look like?

I the last time I did that was with my Eddystone (peep sight.) The 3 shot group was 6 3/8" at 300 yards.

I usually only shoot one shot a day from one of my rifles unless I am developing a load. Today it was 200 yards with the, (peep sighted,) Springfield; I nicked the 12oz bottle... It still exploded though.

 

[Boss Hoss]

Depends completely on the rifle----mine move Very Little if any and that condition varies from clean to fouled, hot or cold. The Kriegers and Broughtons just do not move much on any of the rifles I own.

Factory tubes all bets are off---- when I used to shoot factory tubes I always left the tube fouled after checking zero for the season.

 

[Pdvdh]

I always left the tube fouled after checking zero for the season.

I agree completely. That's good advice and procedure for most to follow.

 

[bigbuck]

A single shot fired once a day for several/many days at various distances is only way, in my considered opinion, determine system accuracy.

The system being the earth, metro conditions, rest, load, bullet and self plus some other things.

This isn't a crazy idea. Many shooters do it. Via this method one learns the rifle very well.

Having said all of that, I doubt it makes a squat, other than confidence under 500-600 yards.

Around teh 1k mark its a must.

" Around the 1k mark it's a must" Can you explain? Also what has your groups looked like compared to shooting say 2 fowlers then your 5 shot group?

Thanks

BIGBUCK

 

[Topshot]

I shoot one shot at a long range target every few days on my private range out my back door. Mainly for practice but I like to know where my first shot from a cold, clean barrel will go.

When I go hunting I may be in the field for a number of days and I like my barrel to have a thin film of oil in it to limit corrosion. I could not have this if I fired a shot through my rifle before the hunt.

 

[justgoto]

When I go hunting I may be in the field for a number of days and I like my barrel to have a thin film of oil in it to limit corrosion. I could not have this if I fired a shot through my rifle before the hunt.

I do the same. I actually have a thin coat on the whole rifle at all times.

Just in case.

 

[royinidaho]

" Around the 1k mark it's a must" Can you explain? Also what has your groups looked like compared to shooting say 2 fowlers then your 5 shot group?

Thanks

BIGBUCK

My rifle doesn't seem to require any fowlers to settle in, so to speak. Never the less, as do many others, I shoot two fowlers at whatever distance the target is, usually beyond 400 yards.

Then several times a day and over several days I shoot as many as twenty shoots, the number at which it is recommended the barrel be clearned.

The target is placed, for each shot, at a different distance and different shooting angle. I do this after confirming, velocity, ES, drop chart development and groups at 300, 600, somewhere around 800, 1K and 1200 if I have bullets that are good for that far.

I only shoot 3 shot groups and only do the 20 shot different distance and and angle for the bullet and load I've settled on.

3 shot groups often approach the 1/2 MOA area (on windlass days ). Random distance along with its random not easily measurable wind deflection overall groups are much larger than 1/2 MOA but elevation wise ahd windage wise are usually smaller than the kill zone on a coyote to 800 yds and a deer kill zone out to around 1K and a bit more. The sad thing is that this shooting is done at the same location, that is, from the same shooting point. This is where rock busting comes in.

Read Kirby's post about his Dad's recent elk hunt preparation. It was stated in the post that his Dad was able to put the bullet in the kill zone over several days or weeks of shooting a single shot at varying distances and most probably angles. He was adequately prepared for what ever reasonable condition that would present itself.