Tape over the barrel question

[MichaelJ07]

Howdy,

I know the subject line is crappy, but my good buddy puts a piece of masking tape over the muzzel of his .308 to keep snow and debris out of the barrel while walking in the Michigan Upper Peninusla stalking that big buck. Is this ok to do? Won't the barrel blow up if he shoots with the tape (very small piece of tape) covering the end of the barrel? He does not take it off to shoot. I guess he's done this in years past.

Bewildered Michael

 

[CrawdaddyJim]

some guys and girls use condoms over the muzzle. As long as you don't pack the end of the barrell with dirt or some such you will be fine.

 

[MechAg94]

The tape doesn't hold strong enough to build up pressure in the barrel.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

some guys and girls use condoms over the muzzle. As long as you don't pack the end of the barrell with dirt or some such you will be fine

I actually use those little "finger condoms" (for keeping cuts on your fingers dry) on my muzzles for the Maine hunts

 

[JohnKSa]

Put a piece of tape over the end of the barrel. Don't duct tape it closed like you're fixing a radiator hose leak, I'm just talking about a piece of tape over the end of the barrel.

Now run a cleaning rod with a jag and a tightly fitting patch down the barrel as quickly as you can, but without running the jag out the front of the muzzle.

The bullet is as tight a seal as the patch will be and it's moving a lot faster. The tape will be off the end of the barrel before the bullet gets to it.

 

[MikeG]

some guys and girls use condoms over the muzzle.

Drug stores sell something called a finger cot. They're intended to protect cut or injured fingers, and look like a very small condom.

Aside from being great for practical jokes, they're useful to cover muzzles as they fit most barrels better and don't have stuff like lubricant that might affect bluing.

 

[MichaelJ07]

Well, I'll be danged! My little buddy was correct! Hopefully, he will not come here to see that I didn't trust his suggestion.

Thanks for all the help. I'll try not to tape it like a radiator hose

Michael

 

[TehK1w1]

Some US pilots in WWII reportedly used condoms to keep water out of the barrels of machine guns mounted on seaplanes.

 

[W.E.G.]

Has anybody ever chased-down the muzzle-condom after firing, to see if it had a hole in it?

I use black electrical tape.

 

[publiuss]

I buy a big bag of black baloons at Wally world. The black baloons fit snug and are the right color.

 

[LeibstandarteAdH]

The baloon thing is a new one never thought about that, thanks for the tip.

Also, i had a army friend who had a ban AR that always put electrical tape around the OUTSIDE like around the muzzle to "keep the crown and muzzle from scraping on **** when climbing around in the sticks" kind of thing. Any merit?

 

[Arsyx]

I would never use black electrical tape or duct tape over the barrel. Electrical tape usually leaves behind a big mess when you remove it. All through out history military has used condoms to keep debris out of the rifle. By the way, the balloon idea sounds great, though seems like it would tear easy.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Blue painters tape works well, doesn't stick too much and doesn't leave a residual

 

[MichaelJ07]

Balloon idea great. Gaffers Tape is a good choice I understand. Leaves no residue.

Thanks for all the replies and ideas.