Cold Bore vs hot barrel: are custom rifles closer?

[DustyJacket]

My stock remington SPS Tactical (.208) with Sandstorm suppressor shot 3" low for the first two shots today, then started inching up until around 6 shots it was shooting where I left the scope,3 months ago.

Not sure if it is me, the rifle, the suppressor, or all 3, but I am unhappy.

Do the custom rifles shoot their cold bore shots closer to the hot barrel POI?

Are is this just a fact of life for all rifles?

 

[BX1129]

Re: Cold Bore vs hot barrel: are custom rifles closer?

It's most likely you. Next trip to the range, do a few dry fires before actually shooting a live round and see what happens.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Cold Bore vs hot barrel: are custom rifles closer?

Heat has nothing to do with it...

If the rifle is right and the shooter is right, there should be no variation what so ever.

It took about 200 rounds for my Gemtech Sandstorm to settle in and not shift on the first round.

 

[DustyJacket]

Re: Cold Bore vs hot barrel: are custom rifles closer?

That makes me feel much better.

I do need to get out more. I'll try shooting the .22 every other week for a while. Of course, it is getting colder and the shivering should mess me up...... ( back-up excuse )

I think I have over 200 rounds throught my Sandstorm. I've had it nearly a year. It should be close to 200 though.

I need to order another 500 rounds of its favorite food and wring it out.

 

[sniperaviator]

Re: Cold Bore vs hot barrel: are custom rifles closer?

Some rifles have it, some don't. All you can do is shoot the cold one, note it. Shoot three more and note the difference. Write it down. Keep doing that. Eventually yoiu will have a reliable cold bore difference. If it is signifigant, yoiu need to compensate for that on your first, cold bore shot.

Find out if you have it, if you have it, deal with it.

 

[DustyJacket]

Re: Cold Bore vs hot barrel: are custom rifles closer?

Good idea.

Iwas in a quandry which POI to set the scope for. The first shot or two, or all the others.

I ordered another 200 rounds so I'll throw them through the rifle and see if things change.

My little log book is filling up.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Cold Bore vs hot barrel: are custom rifles closer?

Rifles and shooters combine to become common systems.

Whether there is a mechanical difference between clean/cold shots and fouled/warm shots, I think there's more going on than just the mechanical part. Whether consciously or otherwise, shooters will adapt to the their experience with a given firearm.

I give LL full marks for insisting the cold/hot POI shift phenomenon is a human issue.

I also believe that when someone shoots a given rifle as much as LL does, being ontarget under any circmstance is going to be expected.

I don't really care whether there is a mechanical aspect at work. I honestly believe that whatever process is at work here, attention to technique/basics and utter familiarity with the given firearm are going to combine to render exquisite marksmanship.

Greg