Taping a barrel?

[Akbushape]

A lot of hunters I know,,including myself) seal up the end of
the barrel while out in the field with electrical tape, to keep
twigs, dirt and rain out of the barrel. Does anyone know whether
shooting through tape affects the barrel at the crown enough
to influence the flight of the bullet? I've often wondered but
never done any test shots on it.

 

[wvuredneck09]

I've often wondered the same thing. When you think about it, something as small as a nick in the crown of the barrel has an effect.

 

[chino1969]

I use red polyethylene covers used to cover 1/2" threaded pipe. I use a heat gun to form fit the covers and they stay on the rifle during transport and keep the crown from getting dinged. The red also serves as a visual safety reminder, to me, that the gun is not loaded. Yes, it's a reversal of what one would think but it tells me it needs to be removed before firing.

Lou Baccino

 

[Preacher]

Air in the barrel will blow the tape away before the bullet hits it....

 

[PepeLp]

Tape doesn't affect the bullet's flight at all. I did some tests shooting a shot with and without tape over a 3 day period. I ended up with a .5" 6-shot group at 100 yards.

 

[alf]

I did a test on an amazingly accurate 700 Titanium mountain rifle in 30-06 at 400 yards. Absolutely zero influence.

Al

 

[wvuredneck09]

good to know, thanks

 

[Akbushape]

Appreicate the input. I know the tape is blown off before the bullet gets to it but it sometimes leaves a frazzeled edge sticking out slightly past the crown. Sound like this does not affect the bullets flight.
Good tip Chino. The poly pipe plugs come in various sizes
available at any hydraulic shop so a person could find them to fit about any barrel. Thanks everyone.

 

[rbertalotto]

What he said..........The air pressure ahead of the bullet blows the tape off before the bullet gets there.

 

[yat3b35]

While serving in the USMC in Viet Nam we used to use condoms over our flash suppressor to keep out the elements. John