The temperatures are rising and summer is not far away. In many parts of the country, we are already experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures. Summer can make barrels heat up more quickly, and you don’t want that to happen. Overheating barrels can affect accuracy, and excessive heat can damage barrel life. How can you monitor the temperature of your barrel? You can check to see if the barrel feels “warm” but this method is not very precise. There is a better way — using temperature-sensitive strips. McMaster.com, an industrial supply house, offers stick-on temperature strips that range from 86deg F up to 140deg F. This is a cheap way to protect your barrels. Each strip costs only $1.40. Keep your barrels below 120 degrees F to ensure the longest possible barrel life.
Note: Scroll down the McMaster.com site to find the “Temperature Indicating labels” that can be used multiple times. Click on the horizontal label, then select item 59535K13 as shown below.
Nomad47, a forum member, says: “I use temperature strips (purchased at McMaster-Carr). I have them on all of my barrels. I try to avoid shooting when the barrel reaches 122 degrees or more. Here are photos of Nomad47’s customized Savage with McMaster-Carr temperature strips.
Creedmoor Sports offers Temp Strips in 3-packs at $12.95. These have colored temperature range markers to help you quickly see if the barrel is getting too warm. Creedmoor Sports states: “The temperature range is 30-160deg, spaced out in 10-deg increments. This will fit most shooting situations.” The 6” long LCD strip is 1” wide and will last for many years. We recommend that if the barrel temperature reaches 140deg it is too warm and continuing to shoot will accelerate barrel wear. These barrel temperature strips are made with 3M(r), and they will stick to blued or parkerized barrels.
If your barrel becomes too hot, bad things can happen. The barrel can heat up too much and the point of impact will “walk” or shift. Even if the POI does not change, the groups may open up dramatically if the barrel becomes too hot. Third, if your barrel is hot, it will transfer heat from the chamber to the loaded cartridge. This can cause pressure problems. There’s also evidence that hot barrels will wear out more quickly. This is a real concern, especially for varmint hunters who may fire hundreds of rounds per day. Many varminters do this to avoid a barrel getting too hot.
Neconos.com provides BAR-L Temperature Strips which visually display temperatures from 86 to 141 degrees. These strips are compact, unbreakable thermometers for barrel heating.
The stripe will change from black to green when placed on the barrel. There is also a “general-purpose” strip that goes up to 196 degrees. (See bottom row). The Benchrest model strip (86degF – 140degF), is located in the middle. These Bar-L temperature strips cost $9.00 per strip or $25.00 if you buy three.
The BAR-L Temp strips can be permanently attached to the barrel using the heavy-duty plastic tape strip that comes with them.
