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Author Topic: Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods  (Read 1266 times)

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Offline smoky

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« on: August 30, 2004, 07:17:15 AM »
Do any of you out there have any cool down methods at the range that will allow for shorter time periods between shots?

For instance, has anyone ever placed a wet towel around the outside of the barrel to cool it faster?

It is still hot down here and I'm trying to finish some load development in both my bolt actions and muzzle loaders.

Any suggestions?

Smoky
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Offline safetysheriff

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2004, 07:33:29 AM »
Wet a patch with Rubbing alcohol, the 90% type for its quicker evaporation, and run the patch through the bore on either the 'smokepole' or the bolt-gun.     Start the patch at the breech, of course, on the bolt gun.     Run the first patch, each time,  only one way through the bolt gun to remove the abrasives from the smokeless primers.    Then a second patch can be run back and forth.

I believe that rubbing alcohol is very effective at cutting black-powder fouling......thinking I've read that somewhere before.  

Take care.

SS'

p.s.   NEVER blow from your mouth through a smokepole to cool it, or to extinguish embers in it.     It can be deadly if you're in a habit of doing it and develop a 'hangfire' on the firing line.    One guy, at least, has reportedly killed himself that way!
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Offline Questor

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2004, 08:07:23 AM »
I just wait. It's not like I do that kind of shooting very often, so waiting five minutes between shots is not a burden. Balancing your checkbook, reading, and plinking with the 22 are other ways of filling the time between shots.
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Offline Omaha-BeenGlockin

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2004, 09:37:27 AM »
Leave the bolt open and let it air-cool.
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Offline smoky

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2004, 09:42:27 AM »
Is there any potential problem with wrapping it with a damp towel for a couple of minutes between shots?

Smoky
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Offline azshooter

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2004, 09:59:16 AM »
Quote from: smoky
Is there any potential problem with wrapping it with a damp towel for a couple of minutes between shots?

Smoky


If it is a stainless barrel you should be fine.  I would not do it with a blued barrel.
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Offline safetysheriff

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2004, 09:59:53 AM »
Because of the rifle stock you can't wrap the barrel completely with the wet towels so you are creating a situation where the barrel is rapidly being cooled in some areas and left too hot in others.     This may create stresses in the barrel -- though I'm not sure how much.     It seems to me that by applying a more 'symmetrical' form of barrel cooling, such as using the alcohol, that you are more closely approaching the effect generated by allowing a barrel to naturally air cool.

It sounds to me like you need more rifles, and more patience!     No offense intended.....but more rifles will allow you to put more firearms into the 'rotation' while sitting at the bench; and more patience sort of speaks for itself!

Good hunting and shooting to you.

SS'
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Offline Boanerges

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2004, 11:52:34 AM »
I leave the action open and lean the weapon against the bench with the muzzle pointed up. This creates a chimney effect and allows the barrel to cool evenly and maybe a bit faster. It would concern me that any other method of rapidly cooling might have ill effects on my barrel. Oh by the way... I am very careful in how I lean my gun against the bench so it won't fall or be knocked down. Safety first.            Tim
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Offline longwinters

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2004, 01:59:22 PM »
The least boring way to let it cool is #1  rotate your rifles  #2 talk to the shooter next to you if he is in a similar situation #3 take a soda with you and sip on that while you look at other shooters groups with your spotting scope.  Finally, dont let it get real hot cuz it takes forever for it to cool down space your shots out as long as you can stand it.

Long.
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Offline Zachary

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2004, 03:57:55 PM »
The solution to hot barrels is just like alcohol in your system, only the passing of time will do it.

I remember when I was shooting my 7mm Ultra Mag, .338 Mag, and .375H&H Mag.  I could only shoot 1 three-shot group during each 15min interval, so I just rotated and waited.  Why?  Well, it was about 98 degrees under the hot Miami sun! :)

Zachary
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Offline 7magWoodsman

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2004, 04:04:47 PM »
Quote from: Zachary
The solution to hot barrels is just like alcohol in your system, only the passing of time will do it.


I agree. There is no substitute for patience.
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Offline IntrepidWizard

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2004, 04:30:22 PM »
Interesting Smoky,I used a polite scientific word and my post was eliminated.

DROP IT. Your suggestion is just too off the wall and is NOT going to stay. If you wish to discuss it further PM me. NOT the moderator.

GB
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Offline Zachary

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2004, 04:45:41 PM »
IntrepidWizard,

As the moderator of this forum, I deleted it because I found it to be uncalled for.  I give people a lot of leeway, but there was just no reason to make such a post.  Please keep in mind that youngsters view these forums too.

Zachary
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Offline Zachary

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2004, 03:28:42 AM »
See my PM.
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Offline bgjohn

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2004, 04:20:09 AM »
Perhaps "intrepid" feels as I do that the post is rather stupid. The only good suggestions is to let the rifle cool vertical (chimney effect) and shooting other rfiles while it cools. Let the people who like rust use wet towels on their guns.
JM :wink:
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Offline marylandeer

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barrel cooling
« Reply #15 on: August 31, 2004, 04:50:32 AM »
At the range I go to a lot of guys use small battery operated fans to blow cool air through the barrel. I have one that I bought for camping, got it from walmart for about $10.00 looks similar to this one I found doing a quick search.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=88646&memberId=12500226
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Offline Daniel

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #16 on: August 31, 2004, 10:53:42 AM »
smoky, I've been using the damp rag over the barrel method for several years now and have never had any problems with it. I do it with my stainless rifles and my blued ones. With either one, though, you should re-oil the outside of the barrel as soon as possible afterwards.

The damp rag (not dripping) will cool down a barrel quite rapidly. It works great with my .300 Weatherby, which tends to heat up barrels very quickly. Sometimes I even shoot with the rag draped over the barrel and it doesn't effect accuracy that I can tell.

This is such a simple and effective method, I don't know why someone would want to use one of the more complicated methods involving fans, air pumps, hoses or what not.
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Offline CzaRon

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barrel cooling
« Reply #17 on: September 01, 2004, 04:24:18 AM »
I've seen guys at the range put aluminum rods in the bore to

" absorb the heat "(sic). These guys were shooting Hart built benchrest guns not just any Walmart special.
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Offline GBO MGMT

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #18 on: September 01, 2004, 07:41:59 PM »
If you don't own enough guns to alternate them and let one properly cool between shots (the ONLY proper way to do it) then there is a drastic way to quickly reduce the heat.

Buy some of canned air sold for cleaning off keyboards and computer circuitry. If spraying it down the barrel right side up don't cool fast enough turn that sucker upside down. Then watch you don't get frost bite on your fingers when you touch the barrel.

Now what that stuff is gonna do to your barrel? I got no clue. But since it is for spraying on electronic compenents I suspect nothing will happen bad.
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Offline High Brass

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #19 on: September 02, 2004, 06:18:57 AM »
I typically take another gun, either another rifle or pistol.  A .22 pistol or rifle is cheap to shoot and doesn't heat up as quick as a centerfire rifle and helps you focus on the fundamentals of marksmanship.  Here in Eastern NC, it does get very hot and humid during the summer and it takes a hot barrel a llloooooonnnnng time to cool.  I don't let it get to that point.  I place it muzzle up in the shade with the action open to allow it to cool.  Leaving it in the sun on the bench isn't gonna cut it.
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Offline Muddyboots

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Barrel cool down - battery powered bait bucket aerator
« Reply #20 on: September 03, 2004, 07:43:49 AM »
Simple method I have used for years. Battery powered bait bucket aerator works fine. Sends enough air down barrel to gently recover the temperature a reasonable rate. Simply place tygon tubing into chamber and turn on aerator and in a few minutes you are back in business. If you do it frequently you can control the temperature of barrel so it doesn't ge too hot. Just about everyone I know at my club who shoots often uses one now after seeing mine I action. Buy the ones that use 2 D size batteries since they seem to push more air and last longer.

Still building house so been a bit absent from forum. 7 weeks to move in..I hope. I forgot how much fun apartment living can be... :)
muddyboots
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Offline Bill T

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #21 on: September 04, 2004, 07:32:23 AM »
I've used the "canned air" method that Greybeard has described with good sucess. I live in Arizona and daytime temps. can climb well over 100 degrees. Your barrel takes forever to cool off. This method is safe and works well.  Bill T.
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Offline Leftoverdj

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Barrel Cool Down- Any Preferred Methods
« Reply #22 on: September 05, 2004, 09:25:12 AM »
I'd be tempted to use a BIG can of air, an air pig available in any automotive department for about $30. The normal use is to inflate flat tires on road calls.
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