Wait for rifle to cool between shots

[droptinewv]

When I'm sighting in my rem. 700 30-06 should I wait for the barrel to cool between shots? If so, how long?

[stubblejumper]

I shoot a three shot group then let the barrel cool to the ambient temperature.

[Virginia7]

ORIGINAL: droptinewv
When I'm sighting in my rem. 700 30-06 should I wait for the barrel to cool between shots? If so, how long?

Firing three shot groups, and then allowing the barrel to cool is okay, depending on how
quickly you fire those shots. It can take the barrel some time to cool down.

I usually go for 4shot groups, sometimes 5. I give it approx. two minutes between shots, so a group only takes maybe 10 minutes to fire. Depending somewhat on the
weather/temp. of course, the barrel seldom gets more than warm in this case.

[jmfa1957]

Two to three minutes between shots works pretty well in my 700 BDL .30-06. I find that even longer waits benefit some of my rifles' accuracy, particularly those with lightweight, sharply tapered barrels. However, when starting with a completely cold barrel, a three shot group fired in somewhat rapid succession doesn't group that differently than waiting; after a number of shots the heat in the barrel affects accuracy much more noticeably.

Barrel throats erode faster in a hot barrel; a little cooling off period between shots is generally a good idea.

Also, a heated barrel may warp a bit against a snug fitting stock, and result in shots stringing, usually vertically but possibly to one side if the stock presses against one side of the barrel. Free floated barrels avoid these effects.

[stubblejumper]

Three shots fired in fairly rapid succession out of a cold barrel will simulate actual hunting conditions(worst case scenario) and will expose any bedding problems.If you let the barrel cool fully after each shot you may never see bedding problems that may be present.

Depends on what gun it is in my opinion. For my guns with pencil thin barrel, I only shoot 2 shots and let it cool to the touch. This depend on the weather of course. For heavy barrel tactical or varmit rifles I would shoot 3 or 4 and let cool to the touch. Cool to the touch is like 5 min to 10 min.

[Charley]

If you are in a hurry, you can easily make a cooler like this. Moves air thru the barrel and returns it to ambient temperature pretty quickly.

[CanWoodsman]

2 to 3 mins. is usually good for most rifles. The point of sighting in with a cool barrel is so you know where your first shot at your game is going to hit. One shot kills are what you want & the first shot will be from a cool barrel. Some rifles tend to string thier shots as the barrel heats up. Usually not a problem when hunting except maybe when hunting prairie dogs ect.

Good Luck

[droptinewv]

Thanks for the info. I will be going to the range in a couple of days and see how I group.

[stubblejumper]

Some rifles tend to string thier shots as the barrel heats up. Usually not a problem when hunting except maybe when hunting prairie dogs ect.

Usually not a problem in most circumstances.Stringing often indicates a problem with the rifle that can and should be eliminated just in case a second or third shot is ever required.