Does taping the end of my rifle barrel affect accuracy?
- Details
- Category: General Hunting and Shooting
- Created on Sunday, 31 October 2010 13:59
- Written by The DIY Hunter
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This is what the electrical tape looked like after I shot through the tape on the end of my X-Bolt 270 WSM rifle barrel to take my Mule Deer in 2010 at 457 yards. |
The last few years I have been taping the end of my barrel to keep snow, water, mud and other debris out. I have read and been told that placing a balloon or tape over the end of my barrel would not affect the accuracy. I believed what I have heard but still in the back of my head I've been a little hesitant that maybe it would change things enough to affect the accuracy. However when I logically think about it, the tape has to be blown out of the way long before the bullet ever gets to the end of the barrel. I should take some time some day and test accuracy on the range.
I carry a roll of electrical tape in my fanny pack that I have my range finder and binoculars in. I wear the fanny pack on my front side so I can quickly have access to items I need, like tape. When I tape my barrel I like to create a tab to use to pull the tape off with. I fold over about a half inch of tape on top of itself then tape up and over the end of the barrel with about three inches of tape on both sides of the barrel.
I have always had time to remove the tape before taking any shots until this year. In the rush of the moment I forgot that I still had tape across the end of my barrel when I shot my 2010 Mule Deer at 457 yards. The shot was dead on — absolutely no problem shooting through electrical tape placed across the end of my barrel.
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