[hansolo]

To follow up on the thread about barrel break-in, I am fairly new to rifles. I have a few handguns and "Bbl. heat" would apply to both.

My recent purchase is an SKS: I didn't drop a fortune on it, but it's a pretty nice one and I don't want to bung it up. I don't expect to carry a cooking thermometer to the range, but is there a time-proven way to decide when to give it a break and let the Bbl. "cool down"

Thanks!

[bbrins]

For my SKS, I just stop shooting when my shots won't stay on a paper plate at 100 yards. Or when the barrel melts my soft gun case. Since I don't have any high dollar target rifles, I won't comment on them.

[DMK]

When the front sight is wavy from the heat off the barrel, it may be time to give it a break... like now.

An over heated barrel is a great way to erode the barrel throat.

[mummac]

I let it rest when I can't hold a finger against it without cussing at it.

[Dave R]

I'm with mummac. If its painful, its too hot.

[bogie]

It's an SKS, ferchrissake...

If you can light a cigar on it, it might be too hot. You're NEVER going to get match accuracy, so why worry...