Cooling a barrel 🤔

[Scott E Ames]

The Chamber Chillers work well for me but I also take 2 or 3 other rifles to shoot in relays. I checked with a point and shoot thermometer and the surface temperature of the barrel (by the chamber) was back to ambient in the 10-15 minutes it took for that rifle's turn to come around again. Like already mentioned rarely shoot more than 5-10 rounds per relay depending on caliber.

 

[johnnyk]

I've always done the shoot and clean for 20-25 rds and then go to 3 shot groups and clean for 20-25 rds. This has been for factory barrels and has worked fairly well over the years. I do this even with used rifles that I wasn't sure of the round count and/or abuse. Did it help? Not sure as I've never done a "scientific as found, as left" scenario. After this "break-in" period I just go straight in to serious load development.
The best or easiest barrel was a Savage 112, 6.5-284 Norma. The very first 3 shots (and 3 shot group) was a .3" group. It just got better with more shooting and more cleaning.
The worst or hardest barrel was a Remington Sendero, .300WinMag. It hovered between 1.0-2.0" for 100-150 shots. I was thinking I had a lemon but once it started it ran .5" MOA with everything, until I traded it off.
For the custom barrels, I follow the mfg's directions. Shilen, Pac-Nor and Lilja all have their respective directions. Lothar Walther said no break in is necessary as their barrels are hand lapped before leaving.

For cooling barrels; I have used wet/damp rags, from ambient temp. bottled water. A couple years ago I put a 12v mattress pump together with various hoses from a local hardware. Total cost, IIRC, was less than $40.



I attach the respective Hornady modified cases in the hoses for the particular rifle(s) I'm shooting that day. With this setup I can cool two barrels while I'm in the bed of the truck shooting another one, or two. If I only have one barrel to cool, I just stick a fired case in one of the tubes.

 

[22-243middlestead]

Recently saw a barrel cooler $55 Amazon also read articles on ice water with a plastic syringe and a small hose followed by dry patches. Also Utah long range shooters tells me there's no such thing as barrel break in simply shoot it and don't look back gun work says the opposite Weatherby says the opposite. Serious push me pull me affect ie: who's right and who's wrong?? I've got all the right equipment no knowledge of the subject. Any advice?? Simply going to be test driving a new barrel for several rounds in the summer heat.

I have used a electric air mattress pump with a section of garden home for years! If you want to make it work even better you can set the pump in a cooler and run the hose out the lid! They are about $25 at Walmart.

 

[22-243middlestead]

Do a search; this has been covered plenty of times.

I've used a electric air mattress pump with a section of garden hose for years. If you want to make it work even better set the pump in a cooler and run the hose out the lid!

 

[FEENIX]

I've used a electric air mattress pump with a section of garden hose for years. If you want to make it work even better set the pump in a cooler and run the hose out the lid!

I don't think you meant to quote me.

 

[Straight Shooter]

amazon.com/gp/product/B0749M96XT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Naymola]

Makita USA - Product Details -XBU05Z

18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower, Tool Only

www.makitatools.com

I've been using one of these for years. In about 5 minutes I can cool down a barrel that's been shot 3 times from warm to touch to cool just by running the blower over the barrel. Or, slip the blower nozzle over the muzzle and run it, allowing the forced air to blow inside and outside of the barrel with the action open. Moistened paper towels on top of the barrel while being blown will quicken the process too. And it makes a pretty good blower for around the house as well.

 

[Painless300]

I also use the Magnetspeed barrel cooler. I shoot by myself so I don't worry about the looks you may get at a range cause this thing sounds like an angry mosquito!
It does eat through batteries but does work well.

 

[Chas1]

I also use the Magnetspeed barrel cooler. I shoot by myself so I don't worry about the looks you may get at a range cause this thing sounds like an angry mosquito!
It does eat through batteries but does work well.

It's also pretty expensive for nothing but a compact fan.

 

[Painless300]

It's also pretty expensive for nothing but a compact fan.

Agreed, my try the battery operated fan and see if it works a quick.

 

[Muddyboots]

Makita USA - Product Details -XBU05Z

18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower, Tool Only

www.makitatools.com

I've been using one of these for years. In about 5 minutes I can cool down a barrel that's been shot 3 times from warm to touch to cool just by running the blower over the barrel. Or, slip the blower nozzle over the muzzle and run it, allowing the forced air to blow inside and outside of the barrel with the action open. Moistened paper towels on top of the barrel while being blown will quicken the process too. And it makes a pretty good blower for around the house too.

Now my wife will wonder where her sweeper disappeared to? Greenworks makes some good stuff, also have their pole saw. Looks identical to Hooyman pole saw 1/2 the price. Works great!
LINK: Greenworks

 

[CDFrom]

We had an upgrade to the M-60 from an E-2 to an E-3 model ( barrels got a changing handle instead of needing to find a glove). Since we had to demilitarize the old barrels we fired around 2000 rounds non stop full auto. Initially our impact was about 1100 meters and would sag to 800 or so as you could observe the projectile passing through the glowing barrel. Then utilizing the gloves, strip the barrel and drop it into a drum of water. By the end of our spare barrels (apx 30)the drum was boiling. When we slammed the barrels to the ground many broke or shattered, most had a visible curve to them.
I think I'll attempt the mattress pump method, definitely not the intentional demilitarization. We did get cook- offs until we broke the belts and ended up empty.

 

[lobo56]

Thanks, I hate cleaning rifles with a passion anymore, I'll fast track a cleaning job with Witches Brew today, but I am not overly aggressive in the process.

Whitches brew?????

 

[lobo56]

Modifying an old ice machine used for shoulder surgery few years back to circulate ice water thru shoulder pad draped on barrel. Motor seized up but think I got it fixed. If works, nice little cooler with ice water will be really nice steady cool down.

Hey, I have two of those.....nice idea but have to have electricity to run!