Bull barrels

[bbutler]

Ive been wondering what is the real reason for bull barrels.Some people say they can take more heat so you can shoot more shots in a row, and some people say it takes more time foe the heat to leave the barrel.Anyway whats you guys opinion.

 

[combatpreacher]

When a bullet goes down a barrel...twisting through the rifling...it causes vibration in the steel surrounding it...

Anything that affects or changes that vibration has the "potential" to change the point of impact...

Heat changes the molecular density and shape of the barrel...therefore changing the point of impact...

When my barrels get hot they tend to string the shots high...thus a barrel that heats up slower would "tend" to take longer to shift the Point of impact.

Big barrels dont mean "more accuracy"...just more steel to absorb the heat in multiple shot strings...hope this helps.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Thicker barrels are stiffer, less affected by odd vibrations and better able to absorb heat.

Now, if you were to fire thousands of rounds in one session, the heat issue would be moot -- a bull barrel will soften and bend just like a thinner one (but not as quickly.) Now let's consider the Palma Match with 20 rounds in 20 minutes. The actual shooting is quicker, since you shoot as many rounds as possible when the wind is right -- a champion might knock out five or six rounds in less than a minute, then wait for the right wind conditions again. There, the heat absorbtion of the heavy barrel is a distinct advantage.

Finally, a heavy barrel aids in steady holding.

 

[USSR]

bbutler,

Actually, it's more of "stiffness" thing as previously stated, although the heat absorbtion and better balance are nice side benefits.

Don