Load workup question..how long between shots?

[Clem in San Dog]

I'm working up two separate loads for my .243 sporter for an upcoming hunt, one with Barnes 85 grain TSX for pig, and one with Barnes 62 grain Varmint Grenades for coyote and ground squirrels. (Gotta be unleaded, as the hunt is in California's non-lead mandated Condor reintroduction zone)

Anyway, I've loaded 25 rounds of each at various powder weights, 5 rounds for each powder charge. I like to shoot a 5 round group of each powder charge, and cool a minute between each round.

I'm wondering, though, if it makes more sense to cool longer between shots, say 5 minutes, since most shots in the field would be "cold barrel" shots.

How long do you guys cool your sporter weight barrels between shots when doing load development?

Clem

[dk17hmr]

I ussally load 3 rounds walk out to the bench shoot them go back in and load 3 more walk back out by that time the barrel has cooled enough....10 minutes maybe.

[T.Zimm]

I suspect you will get as many answers as there are shooters. Personally; I like a cold clean barrel for each load. Then shoot a fouler before beginning. Before hunting I zero for a cold shot and then leave the barrel fouled. I dont clean the barrel until I have harvested or quit.

[Mike Johnston]

I have a Ruger International in .308 that shifts point of impact pretty bad as the barrel heats up. I really like the homely looking thing and use it as my primary hog and deer rifle. So when shooting groups or trying loads at the local range, I'll fire one shot per session. They typically call a cease-fire every 15-20 minutes, so I may only get in three shots per hour. I nearly went nuts trying to get this gun to shoot when I first got it, not realizing barrel heat was causing the problem. When cold, it shoots where its supposed to. When warm, it patterns. While waiting for it to cool or the next session to begin, I'll have another rifle working a different target.

[Ljay]

Snipers and Swat teams use the term cold bore sight in, It is very time consuming to properly sight a sporter barrel rifle in, A 243 Win is a very hot round, much time is needed with it , You will lose some possible good loads if not letting the sporter barrel cool down completely, It takes me several days to properly sight a sporter in. Bull barrels are more user friendly for sight in.

[WDSWIFT]

pretty much on this one. First shot out of a cold fouled barrel is what I take stock in, just watch where it goes on the second and third. If all 3 are "close" so much the better. IMHO, a 5 shot group with a sporter is a bit much to ask.

Besides, if ya can't hit it in 3 shots it is probably out of range by the 4th or 5th shot anyway. WD

[Kermit in Va.]

What WD said...


Donnie