Match Barrel Temperature

[Zonkers]

Does a .22 LR match rifle barrel heat up enough to affect accuracy? I have a factory barrel on my CZ 457 MTR and noticed that my accuracy started to fall off after shooting 100 rounds during outside temperatures of 90 + degrees.

This could have been shooter error but thought I would ask.

 

[1813benny]

How fast were she 100 rounds fired? What is the barrel profile? How much did the accuracy “fall off”?

 

[gkgeiger]

I’ve never had a rimfire barrel get hot. Are you sure it’s not from getting dirty? My B14R accuracy falls off after 50 rds.

 

[dutch14]

100 rds is a lot to shoot in one continuous string. If you have a 50 or 100 rd magazine? possibly the barrel would warm up but not get hot. With a 10 rd magazine or smaller, it isn't likely to happen. The accuracy fall off is more likely due to shooter fatigue. I shot 150 over a 2 hr period and that was all I wanted for the day. I've since come down to 50 rds per range trip.

 

[Williwaw]

I think the barrel might warm up more from the sun than the rounds being fired. I'd look at cleaning and maybe even carbon ring. Ya gotta check to know for sure ... your ammo, your barrel, your ambient conditions.

 

[Zonkers]

I was shooting fairly steady and taking breaks between filling 5-10 round mags. Barrel and chamber was in good shape, when looking through a bore scope. The ammo was not new lots and winds conditions were favorable. I drive 40 minutes to get to the range, so I typically shoot at a minimum 200 rounds in 1.25 hours. It was hot in the afternoon and thinking that it was shooters fatigue.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

A couple times each summer I shoot 2 matches the same morning, same rifle. With sighters 60-75 rds each match. Should I clean between matches?

 

[Williwaw]

A couple times each summer I shoot 2 matches the same morning, same rifle. With sighters 60-75 rds each match. Should I clean between matches?

I won't tell you should but I'll tell you I would.

 

[Straightshooter1]

A couple times each summer I shoot 2 matches the same morning, same rifle. With sighters 60-75 rds each match. Should I clean between matches?

I wouldn't clean the bore as the bore should be nicely conditioned to the particular bullets you're using. But I'd certainly clean the throat and chamber to get rid of any bullet lube build up and residue.