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Should I or not allow barrel cooling after each shoot?
LADDER TESTING
- Thread starter Eric H
- Start date
Koda_
Well-Known Member
Yes, if you want the most accurate velocity and group measurements.
Whats a useable tolerance is more subjective. I usually only fire 3 shots then fully cool the barrel. But this depends on other factors like barrel diameter and outside temps.
Whats a useable tolerance is more subjective. I usually only fire 3 shots then fully cool the barrel. But this depends on other factors like barrel diameter and outside temps.
I usually wait anywhere from 3-5 min when I want to know what each load can really do.
Texis
Well-Known Member
Depends on several factors:
1) weight of the barrel, bull, varmint, sporter, etc
2) the amount of powder being burned.. 6.5CM, 308, 300RUM etc.
in my 708 I use a 3 minute (sand hour glass shape) game/egg timer between each shot to keep things consistent. Although my barrel is a 26" varmint and can typically fire 10+ shots and only get warm.
Whatever the setup, try to keep the barrel a consistent heat within reason.
1) weight of the barrel, bull, varmint, sporter, etc
2) the amount of powder being burned.. 6.5CM, 308, 300RUM etc.
in my 708 I use a 3 minute (sand hour glass shape) game/egg timer between each shot to keep things consistent. Although my barrel is a 26" varmint and can typically fire 10+ shots and only get warm.
Whatever the setup, try to keep the barrel a consistent heat within reason.
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Thanks. I do have a makeshift barrel cooling device. Hopefully it will be in the 40s since it's a hunting rifle.
Yes
Mikecr
Well-Known Member
If you're developing what I call a hot barrel load, then you would take a few foulers/warmers to stable before moving to a ladder, and shoot the ladder at a rate that does not increase barrel temps further during the test. This could be 3mins for a small cartridge or 10mins for a larger cartridge. A local matter.
I do this to get a hot barrel load for initial precision (grouping). Then I move to cold bore load development for accuracy, with that hot grouping load in center of adjustment.
I've never attempted a cold ladder.
I do this to get a hot barrel load for initial precision (grouping). Then I move to cold bore load development for accuracy, with that hot grouping load in center of adjustment.
I've never attempted a cold ladder.
elton23
Member
Good information on ladder testing an cooling the barrel. I realized I need to take more time between shots
I usually take 3 rifles to the range- the one I want to test, another centerfire that I haven't shot for awhile but is dialed in, and a rimfire.
Alternating between the rifles gives them all plenty of time to cool between shots.
If it's hot out, I sometimes bring 4.
Alternating between the rifles gives them all plenty of time to cool between shots.
If it's hot out, I sometimes bring 4.
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I use a homemade barrel cooler which uses a cordless air mattress inflator and a surgical hose. A one minute blast between every shot seems to keep things at a fairly stable temperature. Large cases would require more air time.
An air mattress inflator produces much more air than any commercial barrel cooler than I've ever used and it's less expensive.
An air mattress inflator produces much more air than any commercial barrel cooler than I've ever used and it's less expensive.
RichCoyle
Well-Known Member
V.H. that's about the same thing I do. I have a thermometer I insert into the barrel from the chamber end. If it displays an arbitrary 85 degrees or less I fire again.
I use ignorant prejudice because I have no data to support this tactic.
I use ignorant prejudice because I have no data to support this tactic.
same
i got a chamber chiller too this year. there are others that do the same. shade is helpful too.
after 10 shots gun get the chamber chiller running than i either cover the gun or put in in my truck for a few mins
Last edited:
imyourhuckleberry
Well-Known Member
I stopped doing ladder test simply because I did not have the distance required to do one adequately at my range. So all I do now is 5 shot groups. But when I lived in West Texas I would let the barrel cook 10 minutes after each shot. I would take note of my first cold bore shot and a couple of days later do a cold bore shot again and then repeat process for 4 more times of cold bore shots and compare all of them to the first.
I have no rational explanation or scientific proof but I simply did it to know where the bullet would go on the first shot during hunting season, and I was just trying out new ideas and see if it made a difference. Long story short it does not because my 5 shot grouping does well enough every time I went hunting with the first shot, and don't really know if not being a competition shooters if that would make a difference.
Every article I have read always had different recommendations about cooling the barrel. Only you can decide depending on your time table and what you feel comfortable with. Good Luck!
I have no rational explanation or scientific proof but I simply did it to know where the bullet would go on the first shot during hunting season, and I was just trying out new ideas and see if it made a difference. Long story short it does not because my 5 shot grouping does well enough every time I went hunting with the first shot, and don't really know if not being a competition shooters if that would make a difference.
Every article I have read always had different recommendations about cooling the barrel. Only you can decide depending on your time table and what you feel comfortable with. Good Luck!
