How Hot Is Too Hot???

Big joe · #1 09-06-2006, 03:49 PM

Something I have wondered??? When shooting a sporter weight bolt action rifle how hot can you fire a barrel before it starts to damage the rifling??? I was out with a friend a while back and while I wasnt paying attention he fired my 300 Win. 4-5 times pretty quickly. When I felt the barrel WOW! it was hot. Question is ... does that damage the rifling and if so ... how much?

Thanks for your info...

Big joe · #2 09-06-2006, 10:18 PM

Actually I realize the barrel wears with every shot so... I guess my question is how much of and how quickly does fast /hot shooting affect barrel life and accuracy???

Thanks...

gd357 · #3 09-07-2006, 12:17 AM

Anytime you get the barrel more than moderately warm, you're doing more harm than good. I wouldn't worry about it too much if it was an isolated incident, but I wouldn't want to repeat it either. JMHO

gd

HPBTMTCH · #4 09-07-2006, 12:54 PM

I always go with as long as you can hold on to the barrel with your bare hand, it`s probably okay, with hunting weight barrels you can get in 2-3 shots.

Cal Sibley · #5 09-10-2006, 08:53 PM

I reach around from the bench, grab the rear of the barrel near the action. If I can comfortably keep my finger there I shoot. If not I go for a whiz, smoke a cigarette or drink my coca cola, but I don't shoot that hot barrel. Unless it's quite a warm day I can get 2 shots from a sporter barrel, 3 from a heavy barrel before having to let it cool. Increase that nuber by 1 on a cool spring or autumn day. Regardless of the caliber you can burn out the barrel by shooting it hot too often. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal