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Rimfire5 · July 19, 2017, 08:52 AM

I have LCD strip thermometers on each of my target rifles. They read from 88 to 140 degrees or 88 to 194 degrees. The strip thermometer manufacturer suggests that 140 degrees barrel surface temperature is about where you should stop shooting and let the barrel cool.

140 degrees barrel outside temperature is really hot to the touch and probably too hot in the chamber to risk excessive erosion. IMHO, it isn't worth damaging a great shooting rifle by being impatient.

When the temperature on the outside of my bull barrels on my target rifles show more than 122 degrees F, at least two of my best shooting rifles have their point of impact drop about 1/4 inch from point of aim. That makes a significant enough impact on my group sizes that I find it is a good place to stop and allow the barrels to cool. I suspect that the internal temperature is even higher, especially in a fluted bull barrel.

I tend to stop shooting when the LCD thermometer approaches 122 degrees and put a barrel fan (barrelcool.com) into the chamber and let it run for about 10 minutes. The fan reduces the cooling time about in half, even in high ambient temperatures.

July 19, 2017, 08:52 AM	#19
Rimfire5 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 979	I have LCD strip thermometers on each of my target rifles. They read from 88 to 140 degrees or 88 to 194 degrees. The strip thermometer manufacturer suggests that 140 degrees barrel surface temperature is about where you should stop shooting and let the barrel cool. 140 degrees barrel outside temperature is really hot to the touch and probably too hot in the chamber to risk excessive erosion. IMHO, it isn't worth damaging a great shooting rifle by being impatient. When the temperature on the outside of my bull barrels on my target rifles show more than 122 degrees F, at least two of my best shooting rifles have their point of impact drop about 1/4 inch from point of aim. That makes a significant enough impact on my group sizes that I find it is a good place to stop and allow the barrels to cool. I suspect that the internal temperature is even higher, especially in a fluted bull barrel. I tend to stop shooting when the LCD thermometer approaches 122 degrees and put a barrel fan (barrelcool.com) into the chamber and let it run for about 10 minutes. The fan reduces the cooling time about in half, even in high ambient temperatures.