Rifle accuracy testing - how long between shots

BigDanS

I am about to test my 30-06 reloads, in my Savage 116 FCSS.


Gun specs:
Free floated at factory
22 inch barrel
1-10 twist
accutrigger
stainless
Leupold VX-1 3x9x40 scope

I am planning to shoot two five shot groups of the following:

55gr H4350, Winchester large rifle primer, Sierra Gameking 165 gr HPBT
56gr H4350, Winchester large rifle primer, Sierra Gameking 165 gr HPBT
57gr H4350, Winchester large rifle primer, Sierra Gameking 165 gr HPBT

So for accuracy testing how long should I wait between shots and how often should I clean the barrel?

D

jbohio

I wouldn't worry about cleaning it.

I'd just cool it off between groups.

Teach

Depending on barrel diameter at the muzzle, most .30-06's will start scattering shots by the time the barrel gets too warm to hold onto for any length of time. On my Mausers with medium-weight sporter barrels, that's somewhere around 5-8 shots, fired over a span of 2-3 minutes. Once the barrel gets uncomfortable to touch, open the bolt, stand the rifle vertical, and let the airflow created by the chimney effect of the barrel cool things down. A minnow bucket aerator pump powered by a couple of D-cell batteries with the hose inserted into the chamber will hasten the cooling-down time noticeably.
Jerry

Zee

If you wouldn't put your tongue on the barrel, it's too hot.

I shoot 3 shot groups and let it cool to a "meh" ambient temp. Not scientific, just a "grab the barrel" and yeah that's cool enough.

CHIRO1989

Zee wrote: »

If you wouldn't put your tongue on the barrel, it's too hot.

I shoot 3 shot groups and let it cool to a "meh" ambient temp. Not scientific, just a "grab the barrel" and yeah that's cool enough.

So, how many barrels did you lick before you switched to the "meh" "grab the barrel" technique:tooth:.

Zee

cpj wrote: »

I used to do 5 shot groups, but the people here who obviously dont know what they are doing (linefinder, zee, erbie, scooter etc) just shoot 3 shot groups. So ive switched to shooting 3 shot groups....
I made a thread about 3 or 5 shot groups, im sure you can search and find it.

http://forums.gunsandammo.com/showthread.php?10175-3-or-5-shot-groups&highlight=Shot+groups

Bigslug

Five shot groups. . . while not necessary for a hunting gun, they DO tell you a little more about what the gun does as it heats up - and you've already got data for three shots before you pop the last two.

On stuff where I'm serious, I'll clean the bore, leave it oiled for storage, and then run a patch of rubbing alcohol, followed by a dry patch before I start shooting. On stainless guns, I'd probably just alcohol and store. This largely eliminates first round flyers caused by the presence of lube, and save me from that nagging, "dirty gun in the safe" feeling caused by firing a fouling shot.

Depending on your level of anal-retentiveness, there's two tests that would be equally valid:

The first would be five shot groups fired as quickly as you can steadily hold them. This represents the worst case field situation where it takes multiple shots to bring your animal down, and will give you good data for how the rifle groups as the barrel temperature increases.

The second would be to do a five shot group, starting with a thoroughly cooled, cleaned, and dried bore for each round. This lets you know how consistently your rifle will hit the mark with the first (and hopefully only) round of deer season.

BigDanS

I already know this rifle is capable of 1 inch or so groups with factory ammo.

I am reloading for accuracy sake and want to see which load gives me better accuracy, so I am testing the ammo more than the gun.

Here is my test of the 116FCSS with Federal factory 150 gr Sierra Gameking SPBT, 0.81 center to center.

http://forums.gunsandammo.com/showthread.php?13208-It-s-a-shooter!-restored-SKS-paratrooper-and-Savage-116FCSS



My goal is sub .5 at 100 yards.

So I want to know how long between shots.

D

jaywapti

On a hunting rifle, working up a load i'll fire 1 round to foul the bbl. let it cool then 4 shots about 1 min. apart, let the bbl. cool untill its dead cold, then another 4 shots etc. untill i get a good accurate load, clean, then fire a fouling shot, let the bbl. get dead cold, and put 3 rds. down range as fast as possible, if they go into 1" or less its good. ( for a hunting rifle ) Clean, before hunting fire a fouling shot.

JAY

Six-Gun

I've had great luck hastening colling using those reusable, soft ice packs. I cool the barrel as soon as I can feel it warm to the touch until it feel about like it did coming out of the case. I never sweat the cleaning until I see a noticeable decline inaccuracy. This can take several range sessions.