Barrel Cooling

[Twoboxer]

Tried a couple of DIY ways to cool a rifle barrel down when needed and wasn't happy. I also thought it might be worthwhile having approximately the same barrel temperature at the start of each group especially during load development. Finally ended up with:

86°-140° LCD Thermometer Strip

USB Rechargeable Inflatable Bed Pump

The thermometer is affixed on the opposite side of the barrel, not visible in the photo below. The air pump included a few fittings, one of which was used to route the output through a length of plastic tube from the local hardware store. Yes, we still have one lol.

With the outside temperature at 62°, the pump cooled my 338LM's barrel down to the same indicated starting temperature 8 times taking about 2 minutes each time without running out of power. A battery pack like the one powering the Labradar can provide power directly as/if needed. We'll see what it takes when the temps around here warm up a bit more. IOW, on these days at these temps with a rifle that gets hot very quickly the pump worked great.

Maybe others have found better/cheaper ways?

 

[Grimstod]

I have done this too. But used a mattress pump. I recommend rechargeable batteries.

 

[Lapua40X]

I tried the same design using a fish tank aerator. It worked OK but the aerator didn't move enough air. I believe the pump you used makes more sense.

 

[Regnar]

http://barrelcool.com/

 

[TAJ45]

A friend who shot the dog towns in the Glory Days used an aquarium pump for cold water from a cooler, dry patch and get on with the slaughter. He also used isopropyl on a rag on the bbl.

 

[Lapua40X]

http://barrelcool.com/

I agree ... it's what I'm using now.

 

[T-shooter]

Tried a couple of DIY ways to cool a rifle barrel down when needed and wasn't happy. I also thought it might be worthwhile having approximately the same barrel temperature at the start of each group especially during load development. Finally ended up with:

86°-140° LCD Thermometer Strip

USB Rechargeable Inflatable Bed Pump

The thermometer is affixed on the opposite side of the barrel, not visible in the photo below. The air pump included a few fittings, one of which was used to route the output through a length of plastic tube from the local hardware store. Yes, we still have one lol.

With the outside temperature at 62°, the pump cooled my 338LM's barrel down to the same indicated starting temperature 8 times taking about 2 minutes each time without running out of power. A battery pack like the one powering the Labradar can provide power directly as/if needed. We'll see what it takes when the temps around here warm up a bit more. IOW, on these days at these temps with a rifle that gets hot very quickly the pump worked great.

Maybe others have found better/cheaper ways?

I use a hose like you show in your picture. I have a Coleman Quickpump air mattress pump and run it off a small 12v battery jumper box. A high volume, low pressure type. It cools much faster than using the convection method of sitting the rifle vertical. I would never use anything that would cool too fast and thermally shock the barrel. My method of checking the barrel temp is to be able to hold it and not be too uncomfortable. I've tried the tape on the barrel and also an infrared laser thermometer but they are more trouble than useful. 30 to 60 seconds is all I ever need to get the temp down between shots in hot weather.

Infrared Laser Thermometer

 

[Zero333]

In the summertime I take several water bottles inside a cooler that I fill with ice. If I have the need to cool a barrel I grab some ice and rub the barrel up and down with the ice.
Takes less than 1 minute.

 

[dave300]

Ingenious and simple, what size tubing have you found to work best? Thx

 

[BenPerfected]

I use a hose like you show in your picture. I have a Coleman Quickpump air mattress pump and run it off a small 12v battery jumper box. A high volume, low pressure type. It cools much faster than using the convection method of sitting the rifle vertical. I would never use anything that would cool too fast and thermally shock the barrel. My method of checking the barrel temp is to be able to hold it and not be too uncomfortable. I've tried the tape on the barrel and also an infrared laser thermometer but they are more trouble than useful. 30 to 60 seconds is all I ever need to get the temp down between shots in hot weather.

Infrared Laser Thermometer

If you can cool your Barrel by any method using just air in 30-60 sec it sounds to me that it was never really hot.

 

[hogpatrol]

If it's not real hot, I remove the bolt, stand it up in a rack and use the chimney effect to cool the barrel. I do have one of these for additional cooling.

 

[370bc]

I use a cordless Ryobi fan on muzzle end, w/bolt open.. At the range, not at a PD town. Gives me time to relax, stretch, and water up.

 

[Shynloco]

In the summertime I take several water bottles inside a cooler that I fill with ice. If I have the need to cool a barrel I grab some ice and rub the barrel up and down with the ice.
Takes less than 1 minute.

Zero333.
For what its worth and I'm no expert, but I've read and have been told, that method of rubbing ice on a hot barrel is a good way to warp it and can cause irreparable damage, unless the barrel has been processed via cryogenics. Most barrels are not "cryoed", as there is usually an extra charge for that process. Just thought I'd pass that along. I personally use the air pump method and get very good results especially up here in the High Desert.

Alex

 

[Bart B.]

I suggest you have the receiver face squared up with its barrel tenon threads. Then use a shim washer thick enough to maintain headspace. Then the barrel tenon shoulder will bear tight all the way around. No more high point that causes barrels to bend it its axis as they and receivers heat up. You'll be able to shoot dozens of shots 2 or 3 per minute or faster and they'll cluster evenly about point of aim. From ambient barrel temperature to temperatures skin burning hot. No cooling stuff needed any more. Good zero on sight and proper stress relieved barrel assumed.

 

[Twoboxer]

I'm sure ice and water will also cool barrels, but I don't carry either to the range. And as a matter of personal preference wouldn't use them anyhow.

Ingenious and simple, what size tubing have you found to work best? Thx

The tube shown is 3/8" OD, 1/4" ID. I've not tested any other size, just took the pump's fittings to the store and that one fit best on the cone-shaped pump fitting. That size hose should also jam-fit in most rifles.

If you can cool your Barrel by any method using just air in 30-60 sec it sounds to me that it was never really hot.

Not really the point even were it true. If you let it cool naturally you are using just air, and it won't cool that much that quickly in that environment.

 

[nmkid]

I use the fish tank pump a hose with an old bore guide installed. Slips perfectly into the chamber.

 

[wedgy]

I use the air mattress pump with a variable RPM motor switch to slow it down because I don't need it at full blast. I have a Barrel Cool but when it's hot out, like this week(over 100F all week) it takes too long. The bright side to when it's hot is I get the range all to myself !

 

[dave300]

I use the air mattress pump with a variable RPM motor switch to slow it down because I don't need it at full blast. I have a Barrel Cool but when it's hot out, like this week(over 100F all week) it takes too long. The bright side to when it's hot is I get the range all to myself !

Mine sharing what pump you chose?
Thanks all!

 

[T-shooter]

Mine sharing what pump you chose?
Thanks all!

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 just like Twoboxer's picture in this post. 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 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.

 

[wedgy]

Anyone want to split an order of the temp strips ? Minimum order is 20 strips at $2.05 each

http://www.telatemp.com/p/209/427-3-reversible-liquid-crystal-thermometer-strip