Keeping the Grendel cool at the range

[LT Dann]

[A5BLASTER]

Well first thing is don't use a thin profile barrel and the for me I like to give bout 2 minutes between each shot and bout 10 minutes break between each 5 round mag.

I also take a small desk top fan to the range and keep it blowing on the rifle at all times.

I speak from first hand knowledge on the thin profile have two 18 inch light weight jp barrels and if I rip throw a 5 round make quickly is hot and will effect groups on the next mag.

Hope this helps sir.

Forgot to add use a short handguard with lots of openings so the barrel can breath easyer.

[mdram]

you could always do what maxim did........................

[Klem]

• Keep the BCG locked back between strings so air can circulate through the barrel.
• Wait longer between shots.
• Do your accurate shooting for groups early in the session and then do drills or plinking.
• Bring a fan to the range and point it at the barrel. It will also blow the boiling air (mirage) away from above the barrel seen through the scope at high magnifications.
• Use a barrel mirage shield like a strip of cardboard or a strip of venetian blind.
  http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...-carbon-fiber/
• Buy or build a barrel-cooling fan like this one;

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2016/06/new-product-chamber-flag-fan-device-cools-down-hot-barrels/

I just wait longer and keep the BCG locked back. Also, if the air is too still I dial down the magnification.

[rabiddawg]

I usually take 5-6 guns with me. Shoot one then move to the next.....

[kcb38]

Bring a fan to the range and point it at the barrel. It will also blow the boiling air (mirage) away from above the barrel seen through the scope at high magnifications.

That's smart. A battery operated fan would keep the air moving and reduce fogging too (a big problem for me lately) plus it could help to keep gnats out of your face (another big problem lately). I don't see it doing a lot to cool the barrel but still, the only drawback I can see with it is that it's one more thing to carry. I'm off to Amazon to see what they have in the way of battery operated fans. I think I've seen some with rechargeable batteries too.

[rabiddawg]

Or you could buy a big yeti and keep your guns in it.

They make their own ice I’m told

[Randy99CL]

I'm off to Amazon to see what they have in the way of battery operated fans. I think I've seen some with rechargeable batteries too.

Johnny's Reloading Bench has used a couple of chamber fans too. Says they work well.

I like the idea and want to make my own. I'm thinking a fan blowing into a funnel with a plastic hose stuck on it. The fan and battery pack will sit on the bench with the hose stuck in the chamber.

Don't need a giant fan, you can only move so much air through the small bore. And use standard battery sizes that you can get at WM or HF and pop into a normal charger.

[rabiddawg]

Randy, i would suggest looking for one of the small fans used to keep electronics cool. Look on the back of a computer or tv receiver. They are very small and shouldn’t require much battery power.

[kcb38]

At first I thought it was a great idea but I'm not sold on the barrel cooling fans. I looked into it recently and it didn't seem to me that they increased the rate of cooling by any significant margin. I'll have to look up the test I found and post the link.

[kcb38]

Here's one test. I think I saw another with similar results. If you're dead set on making one you can use a battery operated air mattress inflator. Coleman makes one, Walmart sells them...

https://rifleshooter.com/2017/08/do-rifle-barrel-coolers-work/

[Randy99CL]

Thanks for the responses!

For that particular test the guy measured the temp of the barrel at the handguard but I'm more concerned with lowering the temp at the throat of the bore. I wonder if a fan might extend barrel life by decreasing erosion.

[Randy99CL]

A test I'd like to see is sticking a temperature probe into the chamber throat after a string of shots.
Then see how much of a difference a fan can make over time.

[Gusmeister]

It is not much of a problem in cold weather (PA) but summer is tough. I keep promising myself to get a chamber chiller but never seem to get around it. So far my solution is to bring 2 or 3 rifles.

[kcb38]

Thanks for the responses!

For that particular test the guy measured the temp of the barrel at the handguard but I'm more concerned with lowering the temp at the throat of the bore.

If you did this test at the chamber you'd probably see a bigger temp drop because the heat transfer from the hottest region of the barrel will be faster than cooler areas. The question is though, steel being an excellent conductor, what is the temp difference from the chamber to the spot on the barrel he measured? That would tell you the difference in the rate of heat transfer.

Edit: wow my thermodynamics prof is probably turning over in his grave. Edited to say delta T would be highest where the barrel's hottest.