My way to cool off a hot barrel in Houston summertime.

[Joe R]

Hi Guys,
The dog days of summer are here. Here in Houston 95 degrees and 60% humidity is the norm from May till the end of September. That makes it difficult to do load development. Here's my way to cool off a hot barrel. It isn't pretty, but it works for me.

Joe

 

[Bart B.]

If the receiver face is squared up with the tenon thread axis, your barrel won't change point of bullet impact as it heats up. Unless the barrel is not stress relieved properly.

 

[Ray B]

Best way to cool a barrel in Houston? Drive about 1,000 miles NW.

 

[mikecockcroft]

That thing needs a muffler lol

 

[Joe R]

That thing needs a muffler lol

It's not really loud but it is a high pitched whine that you can hear at a distance. I wish it wasn't so, but nothing I can do about it. The good thing is I won't forget and accidentally leave it running and run down the battery.

If the receiver face is squared up with the tenon thread axis, your barrel won't change point of bullet impact as it heats up. Unless the barrel is not stress relieved properly.

Bart,
I respectfully disagree. I've had to learn to take my time between shots so I can keep the barrel a temp down, that enables me to stay in the 10 ring. If I fire quickly by the 15th round I start getting 9s its just that simple. That is the case with my 260AI pushing a 140 grain at 2980 and the same goes for 7SAUM pushing a 195 at 2980. At those velocities time between shots makes difference.

Joe

 

[Joe R]

Best way to cool a barrel in Houston? Drive about 1,000 miles NW.

Yeah, I understand. I just got back from 12 days in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec, so I know what you're saying. Nice in the summertime, but....

 

[DRNewcomb]

Love the shirt.

 

[johnnyi]

It's not really loud but it is a high pitched whine that you can hear at a distance. I wish it wasn't so, but nothing I can do about it. The good thing is I won't forget and accidentally leave it running and run down the battery.

Not really loud? we can hear it driving in the front gate to the club! ...Hey sounds like Joe is here!!

 

[r bose]

Feeling your pain here in SE Louisiana. I'll add, standing the rifle upright helps cool the barrel tremendously by convection. Pushing air up thru it helps tremendously also.

 

[hunter243sgk]

I keep seeing these different ways to cool a barrel on this site. If you really want to cool it FAST use a can of compressed air. Turn it upside down and it will cool anything off VERY fast. Dont let it touch your skin. The rest of the ways i have seen are just silly and take to long!!

 

[Ray B]

I saw on a movie a guy in Australia but the end of his Sharps barrel in a bucket of water- not sure if that was authentic or some screenwriters imagination.

 

[Bart B.]

Bart,
I respectfully disagree. I've had to learn to take my time between shots so I can keep the barrel a temp down, that enables me to stay in the 10 ring. If I fire quickly by the 15th round I start getting 9s its just that simple.

So it's not possible for a load to put 20 to 30 shots at longer ranges inside 1/2 MOA starting with a cold barrel then shooting them once every 20 seconds going out at 3000 fps?

Or 40 shots leaving at 2600 fps at the same rate all inside 1/3 MOA?

 

[Ggmac]

This is only for the rapid cool with water or co2 , look up thermal stress cracks associated with barrel erosion .

 

[T-shooter]

I use a Coleman Quickpump 12v ($20-$25), high volume, low pressure. It plugs directly into a Schumacher 500 amp jumper box ($45-$50). The box charges with just an electric cord and has a power outlet just like a car. You could just power it from your vehicle if you have it near by. I adapted a heavy clear hose that is just small enough to fit into the chamber. The air blows out the muzzle. Normally I can cool down enough in about 60 seconds between shots in 85-90 degree heat outside. Otherwise, 4-5 minutes or more with the rifle sitting on the stock letting convection cool it. There is no thermal shock to the metal. I would never consider water or anything else in a hot chamber.

 

[DRNewcomb]

I'd imagine that a damp cloth would do more, faster than all the warm, humid air that could be blown through an action.

 

[bblackwell]

I would be careful using fans in a dusty environment you could be sending dirt down the barrel.

 

[T-shooter]

I would be careful using fans in a dusty environment you could be sending dirt down the barrel.

Never thought of that but a small K&N or similar filter would fit the inlet side. They make them in a clamp on style down to a 5/8" inside neck diameter.

 

[longbow]

A small piece of plastic hose that fits the chamber,A small funnel attached ...1/2 gallon of water poured slowly. Two patches thru the bore afterward to mop it out. Go back to shooting...pretty simple and cheap.....

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I just stick my rifle muzzle down into the margarita machine at the firing line. They say gunpowder residue and alcohol do not mix. It's true, it tastes awful. But it cools the barrel.

 

[ShootDots]

I just stick my rifle muzzle down into the margarita machine at the firing line. They say gunpowder residue and alcohol do not mix. It's true, it tastes awful. But it cools the barrel.

Once you get enough of the margarita mix, it starts tasting better! AND it gets more fun, no matter how bad you may be shooting! LOL!!!