Ice on your barrel???

[shortpants]

Will icing down your barrel between groups to cool it faster damage your barrel?

 

[358sta]

I've done it before during the summer months and never saw any issues after doing it. Of course, I am doing it to stainless steel custom barrels and not factory ones.

Kevin

 

[shortpants]

I've done it before during the summer months and never saw any issues after doing it. Of course, I am doing it to stainless steel custom barrels and not factory ones.

Kevin

Mine is a factory stainless.

 

[rscott5028]

You shouldn't have to go to such extremes.

I'm not quite sure how it benefits you to do so.

I would recommend a different rifle, barrel, or shooting regimine.

I'd suggest you get a 22LR to practice with while your sporter cools down.

If you need to speed it up a little, I've seen people use an air pump and hose to blow fresh air through the bore.

-- richard

 

[bman73]

I would be leary of doing that, the reason being is that you are not going to be able to cool the surface of the barrel evenly over the entire lengthand could cause it to contract at a differnt rate in one spot compared to another. As a millwright when I am installing bearings and I need to heat the bearing or cool the housing on an interference fit I submerge the entire part or bearing into either hot oil or a mix of alchohol and dry ice to ensure even temperature distribution. Not too sure if it's as big a deal when compared to a rifle barrel or not but thats my opinion.

 

[shortpants]

I would be leary of doing that, the reason being is that you are not going to be able to cool the surface of the barrel evenly over the entire lengthand could cause it to contract at a differnt rate in one spot compared to another. As a millwright when I am installing bearings and I need to heat the bearing or cool the housing on an interference fit I submerge the entire part or bearing into either hot oil or a mix of alchohol and dry ice to ensure even temperature distribution. Not too sure if it's as big a deal when compared to a rifle barrel or not but thats my opinion.

That's what I was afraid of. To be honest I've been doing it for a few years without giving it much thought but for some reason I've been thinking about it lately. I do it because here in the AZ. heat it takes forever for your barrel to cool. When testing loads I have to cool between each group and it takes to long without ice. It can take 45 minutes to cool and considering I have to drive 1-2 hours each way and another hour to setup and take down I don't get much shooting done if I have to wait on the barrel to cool. It's even worse if I am helping friends figure out their stuff.

 

[BuckSnort]

I would worry about condensation forming inside the BBL...

 

[shortpants]

I have heard of guys pouring water down their barrel with a funnel from the action side. I also saw a contraption years ago where you run tubing through the barrel and pump water through it. Thats where I got the idea of rubbing ice on the outside.

 

[rscott5028]

It sounds like you're expecting too much for that particular factory rifle. Many factory barrels are great for hunting or 3 shot groups, but just aren't up to the task of shooting multiple 20 shot strings or varmint shooting with hundreds of rounds per day.

Explain what you'd like the rifle to do and plenty of folks here will have suggestions for the components needed to attain that goal. It's not hard. And, it doesn't even have to be expensive. ...certainly not as expensive as wasted time, gas, and ammo.

Been there. Done that. I feel your pain. But, life is good now that I've got the right tools.

-- richard

 

[shortpants]

It sounds like you're expecting too much for that particular factory rifle. Many factory barrels are great for hunting or 3 shot groups, but just aren't up to the task of shooting multiple 20 shot strings or varmint shooting with hundreds of rounds per day.

Explain what you'd like the rifle to do and plenty of folks here will have suggestions for the components needed to attain that goal. It's not hard. And, it doesn't even have to be expensive. ...certainly not as expensive as wasted time, gas, and ammo.

Been there. Done that. I feel your pain. But, life is good now that I've got the right tools.

-- richard

Bugholes at 1000yds with factory gun and ammo!
I'm a dreamer but also a realist. I want nothing more than to build my first custom and start reloading but it is not going to happen this year. In the meantime what I'm trying to do is find the limits of my 300wsm. A-Bolt. I have purchased several different boxes of premium ammo and have been testing them to find what the gun likes best. Once I get it narrowed down to 1 or 2 I will begin testing those out at longer ranges. My goal is to see if I can shoot this gun accurately out to 800 yds. I believe it will do it but if it turns out to be less oh well just trying to find it's limit. I'm using a good scope that tracks repeatedly. I have shot less than moa groups at 800 with it in the past with cheaper ammo so thinking I can do it with good ammo. I know there is no substitute for reloads but not an option right now. I'm looking into replacing the stock right now. I don't know what else I can do but shoot as much as possible. It is very expensive at $50 a box!

 

[rscott5028]

It doesn't hurt to dream. But, it's even better to make a plan and see it come together.

I would be thinking about selling that rifle and putting wasted ammo $$$ towards the balance on a new rifle that's better suited to your goals.

e.g. Rem 700 SPS Tactical 308 runs about $600. They are reputed to have great accuracy. Factory ammo is reasonably priced and Match ammo is available. The heavy barrel should reliably shoot 20 shot strings.

You should be able to get $300-400 or more for your rifle. The cost of a couple of boxes of shells and a tank of gasoline makes up the difference.

Then, start saving for the custom setup.

-- richard

 

[Boss Hoss]

Been doing it for years. Also used a towel kept in the ice chest. The best but it is expensive is to use a can of compressed air turned upside down.

Just put in the little tube and act like you are painting. Takes less that 30 seconds to cool down the tube and chamber area.

 

[shortpants]

It doesn't hurt to dream. But, it's even better to make a plan and see it come together.

I would be thinking about selling that rifle and putting wasted ammo $$$ towards the balance on a new rifle that's better suited to your goals.

e.g. Rem 700 SPS Tactical 308 runs about $600. They are reputed to have great accuracy. Factory ammo is reasonably priced and Match ammo is available. The heavy barrel should reliably shoot 20 shot strings.

You should be able to get $300-400 or more for your rifle. The cost of a couple of boxes of shells and a tank of gasoline makes up the difference.

Then, start saving for the custom setup.

-- richard

$300-$400 for a rifle that sells new for twice that! Your just trying to get my rifle aren't you! J/K sorry it's my humor! I like your idea and have thought about it some. I was thinking of trying to pick up a practice rig that could become my kids first hunting rifle. I figured once I find the magic ammo for the 300 and got it sighted in it would not get shot very much after that. Down the road when I have a custom the 300 would be a backup gun that I can pick up factory ammo for and be ready to go out to 800. A custom???, a practice/kid rifle, and a factory backup that is dialed in. Maybe I'm just gettin greedy but I want them all!

 

[shortpants]

Been doing it for years. Also used a towel kept in the ice chest. The best but it is expensive is to use a can of compressed air turned upside down.

Just put in the little tube and act like you are painting. Takes less that 30 seconds to cool down the tube and chamber area.

Never thought of the can. I LIKE IT!!!