How many shots is too many?

[tsanford405]

I have a Ruger M77 MkII 7mm Rem. Mag, with the stainless steel/all-weather synthetic set-up. I was just curious if I take it out target shooting. Is there a danger of overheating the barrel with too many shots? It is just the normal stock barrel (not a bull). When I was sighting it in/playing around I shot 34 rounds through it, and it seemed to be warming up pretty good. I know that there is probably no definitive answer, but I am fairly new to the game. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[itgoesboom]

Probably best not to let the barrel get too hot.

What is too hot?

If you put your hand on the top of the barrel, and can't keep it there for atleast 10 seconds, it is already too hot.

I tend to shoot one, eject the empty, leave the bolt open, inspect the empty, put it in the box, sight in on the target with the bolt open, go through several breathing cycles, push the bolt half way, do more breathing cycles, close the bolt, aim, breath, fire.

When I do that, I figure I am shooting 1 round every 2-3 minutes, and my barrel doesn't get too hot.

I also do that cycle so the round doesn't get hot in the chamber in between shooting.

I.G.B.

 

[jon1996]

Don't worry bout it, If it can not handle it you don't need it! I have emptied so many mags through one of my ak's that the handguard caught on fire, it is just fine after wards, you are not gonna get it hot enough to warp it unless you cool it off fast, just shoot it like you want, by the time you reload it it is cooled off enough,
Flame On!

 

[Jackal]

I have had my Ruger M77 3006 so hot, spit sizzled off the barrel. It doesnt hurt anything as long as it's kept within reason. About the only way to damage a barrel from heat is to have that barrel attached to a belt fed full auto firing 500 round bursts.

 

[atblis]

Wear

You can wear you barrel out faster by getting it hot.

have had my Ruger M77 3006 so hot, spit sizzled off the barrel. It doesnt hurt anything as long as it's kept within reason. About the only way to damage a barrel from heat is to have that barrel attached to a belt fed full auto firing 500 round bursts.

That's probably too hot.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Ask the rifle. Shoot groups at various rates. You will often find that shooting more than a certain number of rounds in a given time frame will have an adverse effect on accuracy. Once you find the fastest rate you can fire witouth affecting accuracy, you should not exceed that rate.

 

[mpmarty]

Too Hot?

My 7mm Rem Mag has a lightweight barrel and it shoots just fine hot. It gets too hot to touch in three shots spaced about 30 seconds apart. I quit worrying about it and just shoot it the accuracy doesn't seem to change after the first "fouling" shot it settles in and shoots nice groups all afternoon. I use 160 gr Nosler partitions and 79 grs of H870 in front of Federal 215 primers. It gets around 3000fps and shoots under an inch at a hundred yards.

 

[tsanford405]

Thanks Marty, I am also getting in to reloading. Starting with the "classic" Lee Loader. Would you recommend that as a good starting point for reloading?