Barrel cooling

[M70]

Does anyone use any special methods to cool the barrel of your rifle when at the range? I've heard of using water to cool but I'm a little hesitant to try this. Cooling a barrel isn't such a big concern during the winter months but it sure could save a lot of time in the warmer months.

[catnthehat]

I know some shooters use antifreeze, and rhten patch out the gun before they shoot it again.
I never have, just shot the shot guns.
However, in a competition , the barrel heats up pretty hot even when there is a long time between shots, and barrel life is shortened considerably .
However that is part of the price you pay for a top notch long range rifle.
Cat

[DOGFISH]

A 12 volt fan sure speeds up the cooling process.

[North of 53]

I use the canned air that I get for blowing dust of my computer. It comes out very cold and I just blow it down the barrel. It comes with a straw that lets you blow air right into the chamber. I am not sure just how much it helps but my barrel is a lot cooler after shooting 10 rounds with a few shots of air between rounds than if I don't use any air. I guess only time will tell how much this helps barrel life. The canned air is not expensive and its very clean and easy to use.

[ditch donkey]

I read in a magazine, where a guy took a 12 volt, or battery air pump, put a hose on the end, and pushed air through the breech, down the barrel. He said it worked quite well.

How warm is too warm?

[bullrambler]

I think everyone has experienced a heated barrel during range testing. Accuracy seems to fall off as the barrel gets warmer. I try and find a shady spot to place the rifle in between groups, and take the bolt out to allow ari to circulate. And if possible I will lay the barrel in the direction of a soft breeze, and find that is does help to reduce the time needed to cool the barrel. Usually this is done away from others as I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm leaving a gun pointed in their direction, that they may think could be possibly loaded. And I usually bring two rifles to shoot one while I'm waitng for the other to cool off.

[LongBomber]

I place my rifle with the bolt out facing straight up. It seems to cool a little faster, it gets some natural convection going through the barrel. Where I shoot long range I place my rifle straight up leaning on a long piece of scrap aluminum. It cools off much faster.

If you wanted to spend a little cash, a mtn bike tire inflator that uses crossman CO2's puts out a very cold blast that can be directed down the barrel. It works quite well, but gets expensive fast.

I say just buy another couple rifles, that way there is always time for one to cool off!!

[Predator]

Rubbing alchol. Evaporates very quickly without the concerns of using water.

[CR5]

Take more than one gun to the range, just pick up a different one and play with it while the first one cools. Way more fun that way
I usually take at least 3 rifles and 2 pistols to the range with me and I'm never bored waiting for one to cool.

[hardy]

Go to realguns.com and look at the non members column on the left side of the page.You will find an article on how to build a barrel cooler with a fan and some other cheap stuff you can find at a hardware store. Its a real cool site with a down to earth guy that tests stuff and writes informative and funny articles. Hope this helps.

[hardy]

Sorry i don't know how to post a link but its on page 3 of the free access page on realguns.com. The article is called "Building a simple barrel cool down box".

[M70]

Does the compressed air in a can leave any residue in the barrel?