Accuracy loss with a hot barrel

[Danegeld]

I recently went out and ran some rounds thru my .308 Remington Model Seven.  It has the short/light 18 1/2 inch barrel and it gets pretty warm.  The first shot is usually dead/spot on at 100 yds, but if I quickly chamber another, then another, and by the 4th shot it's all over the place barely holding a 5inch group.

But, If I slowly fire the shots with a couple of minutes between each one it will hold a beautiful 1"-1 1/2" pattern.  Has anyone else ever experienced it to this extent?

Take Care
Ben

[corbanzo]

In some cheaper guns, if they use soft metal, the barrel can be affected, and change size (a teency bit, but it can make a difference).  With that rem, it shouldnt be the case though.  It might be if you are trying to go fast, you are being a little bit careless (and I'm not trying to insult you, we see that you can shoot)  Maybe try a good pace for a few shots, where you carefully line it up, but still fast enough so the barrel stays hot, and see what happens, without trying to jack the shells out and in as fast as possible.

[beemanbeme]

I would say that its almost the norm, not an exception.  And its not unique to model 7's. The thinner the barrel, the more pronounced it becomes.

[victorcharlie]

I would say that its almost the norm, not an exception.  And its not unique to model 7's. The thinner the barrel, the more pronounced it becomes.

Yep.....I agree........shoot to much to fast an you can burn out the barrel.  That's why the M-60 comes with extra barrels and the recommendation to change barrels every 10 minutes if the firing rates exeed what is recommended.......

[dharvey]

Yeah, I see it all the time with my Win. Mod. 70 Fwt in .280. It has the boss system on it so I can dial the groups about as tight as I want, but when the barrel heats up I'm just wasting ammo. 3 shot groups that will fit inside a quarter if the barrel is allowed to cool between shots will open up to about 2" if I hurry them just a little.  :wink:

[jvs]

You can probably cut the group down alot by Free-floating, Glass-Bedding and taking the Trigger down to about 3 lbs.  I have a Model 70 Featherweight that was doing the same thing.  It also has a thin barrel.  After the work was done, I can sustain an inch or less for three quick  shots, not more than 2 inches for 5 quick shots.

The barrel heating up is not the only problem.  The receiver also gets warm, which will throw your scope mounts off just a hair.  And Harmonics plays an important part too.

[Redhawk1]

I agree with beemanbeme.  

[jro45]

When you shoot out of a to hot to touch barrel is when you are removing your rifling. A little bit at a time. Thats why I always let my barrel cool after shooting 2 or 3 shots. And of course the acturacy will go all over the place with a hot barrel. Those heavy bull barrels take a little more to warm them up.

[Zachary]

I own many different brands of guns and I can tell you that it is the norm.  Sure, some barrels may have better metal than others, but, generally speaking, the hotter the barrel, the worse the accuracy.

My first shots are almost always dead on, and my second and third shots are close.  

Keep in mind one important thing....when hunting, it's the first shot that really counts.

Zachary

[Danegeld]

I own many different brands of guns and I can tell you that it is the norm.  Sure, some barrels may have better metal than others, but, generally speaking, the hotter the barrel, the worse the accuracy.

My first shots are almost always dead on, and my second and third shots are close.  

Keep in mind one important thing....when hunting, it's the first shot that really counts.

Zachary

Thats very true.  My rifles are for hunting, not tournaments

Take Care
Ben

[arkhillbilly]

man the hardest part of shooting is to wait for the barrel to cool so you can get those one hole groups.  In the unusual event that I have plenty of time I'll take a 22 or 17 to blaze away with while I let my big rifle cool off.

If you want tight groups trust me this will make an incredible difference and you will see improvement.

[mitchell]

man the hardest part of shooting is to wait for the barrel to cool so you can get those one hole groups.  

i don't see the problem. just take a cold barrel fire one round at the target and BINGO you have a one hole group

[corbanzo]

:eek: Guess I just don't shoot too fast out of my bolt rifles, and never went for too much accuracy with my semi-autos:)  Good to know.

[Slamfire]

I believe what has happened, is that you got a barrel that was kinked in the process of making a barrel from a blank. When the factory noticed it they straightened the barrel instead of throwin' it away. When it heats up the stresses kink it again. That used to be a lot more common that it is nowadays. I had a Remington 788 that threw the third shot 1 1/2 inches high and to the right of the first two. The only thing you can do about it is remember where that hot shot is goin' and aim accordingly.  :roll:

[Doublejake]

I just found that to be the case with my rifle today, at the range. I never had the problem with it before. I just recently took off the Iron sights with over under mounts and went to scope only. In the process of takeing off my Iron sight, I was hitting the end sight to slide it out so I could access the screw underneath to remove it, I wasn;t haveing any luck, Untill the screw broke off even with the barrel. Now my barrel must have a kink in it, because it is throughing second shoots 3-4 inches high. If I wait five minutes between shoots, it's gouping in a 1-1 1/2 inches, at 100 yards. I am a little fustrated over the ordeal. But I also know this is my Deer Rifle, and I need to make a good clean shot with the first one. I'm also keeping in mined November is colder :0)