Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Coolin' it...

It's been like a Dutch oven here this summer. Always a challenge to get a rifle cooled down in a timely manner when doing load development. This is what I've come up with, costs about $25 and cuts the cooling time by more than half. It's a small shopvac that sits on a 5 gal. bucket, I fill the bucket with ice (I'm using a foam liner from a minnow bucket in there) and put it on exhaust. Lucky to have power at this range.

You ever worry about condensation or do you run a patch down the bore after it cools?

Never developed a load outside expected use temp. range. All I've seen shooters during summer use is fans and rifles racked vertically for "chimney effect" cooling.

Some use alcohol patches on the barrel (exterior) to hasten the process. Let us know if you like long term results?

I do run a patch but haven't noticed any condensation. I also rack mine vertically and that works well, what I tried to do was cut some down time when needed. I've tried compressed air, wet towels and fans-even putting in the cab of the truck with the a/c on-lots of condensation there.

I think it may be best to let it cool on it's own if you're not pressed for time but this helps speed it up a bit. Working up loads when it's this hot assures that if there is a pressure problem I'll surely find it. Given my choice I'd only shoot when it's much cooler, it's so much less fun when it's in the high 90's with humidity to match.

I saw a guy with a bright idea one time. He had the electronic air pump for a air mattress with a tube to the chamber of the barrel. I was trying to figure out a way to the make the air cooler, rather then just being ambient air. I think I have figured out the way! Use the same 5 gallon bucket with ice like you have, but drill a hole just big enough for the tubing to go out of and into the chamber. I like it!

I try not to get in a big hurry working up loads, but sometimes i do use the Compressed Air in the cans you buy at the local photo centers and it does help.

Damn, check out Todd with the big brain! Why didn't I think of that? Good idea.

Good ideas! I have been avoiding the range for the past month because of the heat. I just finished a 358 Winchester that I really want to shoot. Maybe one of these methods will help with the heat problem.