Barrel Temp strip

[rsbhunter]

Bought some temp strips for my barrels, they work ok, but even on heavy barrel , they want to lift off because of the curvature of the barrel. Is there a trick to get them to lay "flat" to the bbl?...Thanks for any help...rsbhunter

 

[Straightshooter1]

Bought some temp strips for my barrels, they work ok, but even on heavy barrel , they want to lift off because of the curvature of the barrel. Is there a trick to get them to lay "flat" to the bbl?...Thanks for any help...rsbhunter

I haven't hand any such trouble, making sure I've pressed them firmly to the curvature on a very clean surface. This is what I use:

 

[Ned Ludd]

I've used one from McMaster-Carr (#59535K13) for many years. Up until recently, I never had this problem. A couple years ago I purchased two 10-packs, and one more even more recently. None of these newer Lot#s stick anywhere near as well as the ones I bought before that. Not even close. I have rigorously cleaned the barrel surface with acetone, even roughed one up slightly using steel wool, but to no avail. They just don't stick like they used to. I know there are other vendors that sell temperature strips, such as this one: https://barrelcool.com/product/barrel-temperature-strips/, but whether it sticks better, I don't know.

 

[Fuj]

I was teasing a buddy of mine about some rubber 0-rings on
his barrel. Closer inspection showed the heat strip held by them.
He too had a problem with getting them to stick long term.

 

[rsbhunter]

McMaster Carr are the place I got mine. I've even considered heating and pre curving them, but I'm afraid it would mess up the temperature sensing feature.......I cleaned my barrel using 99% isopropyl and on all 3 bbls I have the same problem..... Maybe I'll try different suppliers for options...Thanks for the responses, thought my stupid had finally overtaken me ! rsbhunter

 

[rsbhunter]

Just noticed on the main Accurate Shooter page an article about the temp strips...one company that sells them even includes "clear plastic tape" to help affix It to the barrel!!!! So, maybe we weren't wrong on how we applied them.... rsbhunter

 

[Fuj]

I do not use the heat strip, but I do keep a laser temp gun in my
range bag. i mainly use it when fire forming a large batch of brass.
It's nice that I can check multiple points on the barrel.

 

[DaveTooley]

Amazon.com : infrared heat gun thermometer

 

[rsbhunter]

You both are right, it would be more accurate to check multiple points on the bbl. I guess its laziness that I can just look at the strip ....but , if it's not working, than a little effort would pay large dividends knowing the state of the bbl.....Thanks, this is why this site is the go to site....rsbhunter

 

[Fuj]

The guns are not that expensive. I got my last one from
Horror Freight pretty cheap. They are close by, so no added
shipping. I did just replace the batteries. I think the ones in
there were 2 years old already.

 

[JEFFPPC]

My eyes are rolling.....round and round. Confucius says,, Make it shiny, advertise it, they will buy it.

 

[mchees1]

I have used the McMaster Carr strip and the Digi-Sense strip. I try to pre-bend them by wrapping them around a 1/2" dowel rod. I use string and that makes them conform to the rod. I have them wrapped until I use them - wrapped for months. It does help a little but any strip will eventually come off. Just remove, clean , and apply a new one. The picture shows the dowel rod and two strips. The McMaster Carr strip is the white one on the top left, the Digi-Sense is on the top right and looks black. The Digi-Sense strip is the one pictured by Straightshooter1. I showed the Digi-sense package so you can Google it to find it. I bought the Digi-Sense from Cole-Palmer.

 

[Bill K]

I have used them, and had no issues, for the most part, with them staying on the barrel, when applied on a clean, dry surface.
But now, the use of the small thermal devices ( as shown in the daily bulletin) are much better, easy to use and work very well in reading temps.

 

[rsbhunter]

I've bookmarked the Digital sense strips off of their site, and will probably order a digital infered (inexpensive) as well....already have the micro air pump in a soft side cooler bag for cooling between relays....being retired, $6-8 hundred bbls get hard to justify when they can be helped to live longer....rsbhunter

 

[LVLAaron]

I clean the barrel with acetone, dont get fingerprints on the sticky part, and put it on. Yeah, the edges peel a little bit... just leave it alone.. it'll stay there for the life of the barrel. If it doesn't... apply a new one? They're cheap.

 

[rsbhunter]

LVLAaron, that's how mine are now...center sticks real good !!!!! Might take actions out of stocks and put a layer of boxing clear tape (1 full wrap ) over them, see how that does??? rsbhunter

 

[Sandstorm]

Amazon.com : infrared heat gun thermometer

This...

 

[Curmudgeon]

Is there a “dangerous temperature” number to avoid. I have looked at strips and temp. guns and the temps seem low for damage to stainless. Thanks

 

[rsbhunter]

Took a piece of clear boxing tape, placed it over the strip, and it held. Don't k ow about long term, the barrel heat might be enough to soften the adhesive on the tape, but time will tell. If it doesn't work, there are some decent name brand infrared guns in the $30 range. I was thinking that though the strip tells me the temp, there's not much you can do if the barrel does get excessively hot during a match...unless you drop out of the match....but for range time, it can save a barrel possibly....

 

[rsbhunter]

As for damaging a stainless barrel , the extreme heat that is produced during firing , I've heard as being compared to almost plasma.....it is almost like an abrasive being blasted into the leade and rifling. As the steel gets hot, the effect is magnified.... This is how I understand it, there are guy's here that can explain it in better terms...rsbhunter