When you are really trying to see what a rifle/load combo is capable of:
How long do you wait between shots? I know it depends on the caliber, barrel contour, etc. but what "rule of thumb" (I hate to use that term) is generally accepted? I heard one guy say that if you grab the barrel you should be able to count to atleast 5 before it gets uncomfortable to the touch. How 'bout it guys?

Thanks to all,
Keith

This is another good excuse for having more than a couple rifles.

Ideally during load work-ups for hunting rifles I like to wait until the barrel is back to air temp. After all, shooting to POA from a cold barrel is what it's all about for a hunting gun.

Then a casual five-shot group will tell you whether it has a severe stringing problem, indicating bedding or scope/mount issues.

[ 03-25-2003, 15:03: Message edited by: steve y ]

I have allot of rifles that shoot best with 5 minutes between shots after the first three shots.

I have only one rifle that doesn't care how hot the barrel is.

My guess is that I would have more rifles in the second catagory if I paid for expensive barrels more often that are elaborately stress relieved [Lothar Walthar]

[ 03-25-2003, 20:31: Message edited by: Clark ]

I usually wait 3 minutes between shots and 6 minutes between loads when I shoot for groups. In the heat of the summer it will be longer. That's why I usually take 2 or 3 rifles to the range.

Bob257

I wait one minute between shots. regardless if I am shooting a 5 or 10 shot group. If I am comparing different loadings, I then shoot another rifle and let the first rifle cool down. Incidentally, always prop the muzzle up so you have a "stove pipe" effect to help dissapate heat. If you haven't a place in the shade to put the rifle, prop it up and cover it with a white cloth or towel. Last but not least, DO NOT leave the rifle where the sun can hit directly on the lenses. It will screw your scope's innerts up!!

I wait (1) min. btwn. ahots & switch rifles btwn. groups. Seems to work for me. They say if it's too hot to touch it's too hot to shoot (no matter how long you hold on).

When I'm doing careful pressure testing, I put a drop of grease just in front of the receiver, and tape a thermocouple to the barrel, and shoot when the barrel gets back down to 100 F. The lesson from that is that when it's hot outside, 7-8 minutes between shots may not be enough. When it's 40 F outside, you don't have to wait very long at all.

I go with Steve Y..
If it is a hunting rifle. Let it cool like it's been shot yesterday.
When you are just working up a load.. Let it cool between 3 or 5 shot groups.

re: melted innerts on a scope. I got this second hand from a guy in my club. He was shooting an IB50/50 match and leaned his rifle against something between relays. The lenses acted just like a magnifying glass that you used as a kid to start fires with and melted some of the inner works of the scope. for what its worth, it was a 36x luie. I don't know if he sent it back to Leupold or not. I'll ask next time I see him.