Any negatives from taping the end of your barrel?

[370bc]

I have tapped most of my barrels ever since elk hunting in the early 90's and seeing the crude that accumulated from walking through the timber.
I never questioned the practice until this year. I have experienced 3 times this season, one of them this am, where I had an absolute 'Gimme' of a shot. A Coyote, standing still broadside between 100-200 yards and I still managed to not hit him. I was prone, bipod down.There was a 10-15mph crosswind, but me and the Yote were in a private drive surrounded by trees for a wind break. Today I used my kimber 243 w/88 Bergers and the before I used with my BAR in 270 win w/110 Vmaxes. The other 2 shots were from a solid rest from a bog-pod tripod while sitting on a hunting chair. Anyone can miss at anytime. But I am starting to think the heavy electrical tape might be messing with the frangible bullets i am firing. Both me and the rifles have shot under MOA at 400 yards before. My longest kill is 350 yards. I practice at 3 & 400 yards several times a year. I am just scratching my head, wondering what to do.
Guess the only thing to do is dry fire more. Im out of ideas. How about you guys? These are mornings were I have gotten a lot of rest the night before, felt confident at the shot. And I am able to watch the hit or miss through the scope because each rifle has a muzzle break. I am grasping at straws with the tape, I know.

 

[5spd]

Shoot at a range with tape over the end & at the same distance with that load and see where it prints.

 

[JohnKielly]

We used pasters.

 

[ultraedge]

I have done testing on this practice with my longrange rifles in 7 STW, 300 RUM, and .338 EDGE. I have not seen any ill effects from doing this. I can't see any POI changes. The bullets used were Berger 180 hybrids, 185VLDs, and 300 gr. Botms. Gary

 

[370bc]

Shoot at a range with tape over the end & at the same distance with that load and see where it prints.

Good idea. These are varmint style bullets. There were no obstructions between me & the Yotes.

 

[CJ6]

Blue masking tape (painters). I can't say I've ever found one that actually had a bullet hole in it, most times the tape will "release" from one part or another from the air pressure before the bullet gets there (think flap). I don't go back onto the barrel ,just cover the muzzle (like a paster would). One nice thing about the color is it's easy to see if it's on or not WITHOUT looking directly at the muzzle

 

[rayporter]

i have taped a ppc and shot 5 into a .1 putting new tape on after each shot.

i bet the tape is not the reason.

 

[WSM01]

No problem w electrical tape here but some friends use duct tape claiming it separates more readily ?

 

[ND shooter]

Painters tape. Use it on my coyote guns all the time/every time. Never have had a problem. Also have used freezer tape. And like CJ6 said "just over the muzzle". I carry a small piece on stock so after shot/shots put another one on and ready to go again.

 

[dreever]

I have tapped most of my barrels ever since elk hunting in the early 90's and seeing the crude that accumulated from walking through the timber.
I never questioned the practice until this year. I have experienced 3 times this season, one of them this am, where I had an absolute 'Gimme' of a shot. A Coyote, standing still broadside between 100-200 yards and I still managed to not hit him. I was prone, bipod down.There was a 10-15mph crosswind, but me and the Yote were in a private drive surrounded by trees for a wind break. Today I used my kimber 243 w/88 Bergers and the before I used with my BAR in 270 win w/110 Vmaxes. The other 2 shots were from a solid rest from a bog-pod tripod while sitting on a hunting chair. Anyone can miss at anytime. But I am starting to think the heavy electrical tape might be messing with the frangible bullets i am firing. Both me and the rifles have shot under MOA at 400 yards before. My longest kill is 350 yards. I practice at 3 & 400 yards several times a year. I am just scratching my head, wondering what to do.
Guess the only thing to do is dry fire more. Im out of ideas. How about you guys? These are mornings were I have gotten a lot of rest the night before, felt confident at the shot. And I am able to watch the hit or miss through the scope because each rifle has a muzzle break. I am grasping at straws with the tape, I know.

Use Trojans.

Danny

 

[JRS]

Use a latex finger bandage. It's essentially a small condom for a finger. It will pop right off when the air compresses in front of the bullet.

 

[XTR]

"Finger cots", I use em on my muzzle loader when it's rainy outside. That big bore just begs to collect water and they work great.

 

[mike a]

Use Trojans.

Danny

And put a spare in your hunting pants pocket so your wife can find it in the laundry.

 

[Changeling]

Small cheap balloons. Last time I bought was a bag of 100 in toy store, don't use them often.

 

[alf]

I always use black electrician tape. One piece over the muzzle, and a couple wraps around the perimeter to lock it down.

Walking in & out to calling stands, I carry my coyote gun in the scabbard of my Ebelestock backpack. The tape never comes off and protects the crown for an added bonus.

 

[hogpatrol]

Used these on the .50 & .45 muzzleloaders. Deer never knew the difference.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...ey-barrel-cots-gun-barrel-protectors?a=556082

 

[370bc]

i have taped a ppc and shot 5 into a .1 putting new tape on after each shot.

i bet the tape is not the reason.

I am wondering how many that had no problem were using varmint bullets loaded on the warm side? Target and bullets for big game i can see. Isn't there a window for frangible bullets that might get affected?
I removed the heavy electrician's tape and put on a strip of blue masking tape that I had painted light brown just in case.
Tuesday am, i will be changing artillery and going w/BAR in 270 win & 135 SMK. In the pm i will be checking the zero of the 243 that I missed with on Sunday am.

 

[XTR]

You can get a huge bag of cots at Walgreen's or CVS for a couple of bucks and live happily ever after. They are actually easier to carry around than tape. Try them.

 

[K22]

I use masking tape and have never experience any problems even with my precision varmint rifles.

I mask one layer over the muzzle and secure it with one wrap around the barrel. It's keeps out snow and rain. This tape is a lot less thick and dense than the tape you're using. I've never used heavy electrical tape so I can't comment on its use.

Missing is part of hunting. I've made spectacular shots on ghogs then missed on the next one at less that 150 yards. It doesn't happen often but it happens. All its takes is a breakdown in concentration or forgetting the fundamentals. Shooting in the field is different than shooting off the bench; it can be unforgiving.

Like others suggested, you may want to test your method of tapping the muzzle.

 

[hogpatrol]

Last week I missed a groundhog gimme at 75 yards, an easy wide open shot. I'm almost certain I lifted my head when I squeezed the trigger. Stuff happens.