Gunsmithing Barrel Tuners ?

[xs hedspace]

Any of you guys play with barrel tuners for LR rifles? The old Brit gunsmiths used to tune the SMLE barrels/bedding for positive compensation, like the slower rounds would come out of the barrel on an upward vibration, so they would hit the target at the same elevation as the faster rounds(simplified theory). Yeah, I know, with tight velocity spreads, and everything indicated to .00001" on the gunsmithing, we don't need no steenkin tuners....

 

[WRM]

Re: Barrel Tuners ?

This is just my own theory....

The reason that they are popular in rimfire benchrest is because you can not "tune the ammunition" - you have to tune the barrel harmonics to the factory loaded ammo.

In centerfire, we can tailor our ammunition/reloads to match the barrel harmonics, so no need for a barrel tuner.

I think the B.O.S.S. is a centerfire "tuner" for those who shoot factory ammunition, so it may have some benefit for those in that group.

Long way of saying you don't need a barrel tuner, if you can "tune" your ammunition to your barrel harmonics....

Cheers,

Bill

 

[matthias]

Re: Barrel Tuners ?

the ruger mini 14 target has a tuner that moves fore and aft to change the harmonics. also i thing limb saver has a rubber dampner.

i have not needed to use a tuner for my rifles but i have done loads that print the same place with lighter and heavier bullets for practice and hunting without having to change zero.

 

[GreatGonzo]

Re: Barrel Tuners ?

The research that I have seen with centerfire rifles indicates that it is spotty at best and a pure detriment at worst. The way I understand it, because a centerfire rifle barrel vibrates much more violently than a rimfire, they are affected by temperature to a greater extent. Basically most who have tried it find that what works great today must be completely redone tomorrow.

 

[xs hedspace]

Re: Barrel Tuners ?

Yeah, I wondered about barrel heating screwing up the tune in my F-class rifle, by the expansion on the barrel. Maybe that's why I start the string with a bunch of 10s and Xs and after the 10th shot they turn to 9s and 8s...or, it's the loose nut behind the buttplate. Or, I need a bigger mirage shield.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Barrel Tuners ?

Both my 260 and 308 have Tubb T2K brakes on them, as will all future barrels, the Tubb Brake simply kicks ass in recoil reduction, the Badger wishes it was as good, but it is also a barrel tuner, I do load development with it screwed all the way in, looking for the single digit SD/ES, then I screw it out one turn at a time with the top canted slight left and shoot groups, somewhere the groups shrinks, big time, then seating depth adjustments are made to finish off load.

 

[al redneck]

Re: Barrel Tuners ?

I had a rifle built by Predator Custom . It would only shoot around .7 for 5 rd groups at 100 yds - with Blackhills match and my handloads . Generally I can get around .4 with my other rifles . I put a tuner on it and groups went down to around .4 @ 100 and went from 12-14" down to 7" at 1000 yds which is normal for low wind 'good day' for me .
If you have a rifle that isn't preforming as it should , a barrel tuner may just do the trick . The Limbsaver 'barrel tuner' never worked worth a crap for me .

david

 

[Jaxdialation]

Re: Barrel Tuners ?

I don't need recoil reduction on a 260. But maybe your application is different.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Both my 260 and 308 have Tubb T2K brakes on them, as will all future barrels, the Tubb Brake simply kicks ass in recoil reduction, the Badger wishes it was as good, but it is also a barrel tuner, I do load development with it screwed all the way in, looking for the single digit SD/ES, then I screw it out one turn at a time with the top canted slight left and shoot groups, somewhere the groups shrinks, big time, then seating depth adjustments are made to finish off load. </div></div>