Help with Helping a Shooting Buddy

[rckendall]

Recently I met a fellow at the range who was also shooting a 50 BMG like mine. When he goes to the range and shoots, he reserves the 200 yard bay for himself and buddies. Yesterday he invited me to join them and I said I only had limited rounds that day to test, so he said I could shoot his rifle.

When I completed my load testing I went over to where they were shooting and blended in. When he offered to let me shoot his rifles I said sure. He started me off with a 308 that wouldn't feed from the magazine so he offered the 50 cal. I said yes and we set up on the mat because I prefer prone shooting. The rifle was not suited well for me but I did my best. I missed the first shot so he handed me a second round, which was HOT. The firing line is not covered or shaded in any way and he stores his ammo in a military ammo can in the back of his pickup. I questioned whether he really wanted me to shoot that round because bolt lift on the first one was difficult. He handed me another that was much cooler but bolt lift was still difficult after firing.

I don't think he understands the effect that leaving the ammo in a steel can in his pickup bed has on pressure. He is a nice generous man and I would like to give him something to help, like an insulated lunch bag, with freezer gel or ???????

What are some practical ideas that would help? I do my best to keep my ammo shaded etc etc, but I think this case calls for something more. Any help?

Thanks,
Richard

 

[divingin]

Just bring it up. He may or may not realize that ammo temp affects pressure. He also may or may not know that sticky bolt lift indicates pressure.

If he does know, he probably won't care if you mention it. If he doesn't, you may save him money on brass replacement, rifle repair, or hospital bills.

 

[D Coots]

Tupperware container in a cooler.

 

[ballisticxlr]

Hand him a ice chest, teach him how to use it. Let him know the bigger the case the bigger the effect of temp on pressures and 50's can get seriously out of shape if they get real hot just because the case is enormous. If he doesn't understand explain that he should look up "initiation energy" or "activation energy" and to consider what happens when you reduce the required input energy for an exothermic reaction but don't actually reduce the amount of energy you use to kick that reaction off (hint, you end up with extra energy you didn't plan on containing). If bolt lift is hard on a .50BMG he's really close to having a bad day of the 'just stick a thumb in it' variety.