How do barrel contour, temperature and wear affect a rifle?
Barrel contour describes the barrel’s outside shape, including its thickness at different points. Together with length and material, it affects weight, stiffness and heat capacity. A larger cross-section can absorb more heat when other conditions are equal. That does not create a simple ranking of complete rifles by precision.
Barrel contour describes the barrel’s outside shape, including its thickness at different points. Together with length and material, it affects weight, stiffness and heat capacity. A larger cross-section can absorb more heat when other conditions are equal. That does not create a simple ranking of complete rifles by precision.
As a barrel warms up, the material changes slightly. At the same time, warm air above the barrel can make the view through the scope shimmer. These are two different processes: a change in the component and a change in the image being observed. Starting temperature and the timing of a test therefore matter in comparisons.
Wear depends on factors including material, heat, chemical exposure, ammunition and use. There is no fixed service life for all barrels. A quoted shot count is meaningful only if the performance still expected afterwards is defined. Cleaning can remove deposits, but cannot restore material that has already worn away.