Barrel Tuners

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Yes, very interested in a range report. I'm guessing a tuner such as that would change a theoretical "Optimal Barrel Time." And the visible set screw is there to keep the tuner in place once optimized?
 
Just got my first barrel tuner. Looking forward to learning how to use it and see how it affects down range performance

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I’ll post my observations here

I will be curious to know just how many rounds it takes for you to zero in on its best setting. I talked to the 2010 Smallbore Prone Irons champion, he used a tuner. Based on round count, for the optimum setting, he spent between $600 and $800 dollars in ammunition! However, his group sizes were so phenomenally small that the Eley representatives I talked to, were skeptical about the information I was telling them.
 
Yes, very interested in a range report. I'm guessing a tuner such as that would change a theoretical "Optimal Barrel Time." And the visible set screw is there to keep the tuner in place once optimized?

That is the theory and yes, set screw to keep it in the same place. I had to order an adapter to mate it to the 5-20 threads on my barrel.
 
I will be curious to know just how many rounds it takes for you to zero in on its best setting. I talked to the 2010 Smallbore Prone Irons champion, he used a tuner. Based on round count, for the optimum setting, he spent between $600 and $800 dollars in ammunition! However, his group sizes were so phenomenally small that the Eley representatives I talked to, were skeptical about the information I was telling them.

Already having a tuned load helps. Maybe 3 rounds per adjustment x 10. If others experiences are a guide, I should see the load go out of tune, then string vertically, then tighten into a knot.

The one of the stated benefits of a tuner is that when conditions change from match to match (temp, humidity) or even during a match, you should be able to make a small adjustment with the tuner to neutralize it.

Others say it can cut your load development edfort.

We’ll see
 
So how does that work? It doesn’t change the weight right? Just where the weight is positioned?
 
That's about 2000 rounds of Tenex today. Would have been more back then, but not a lot more. Half a case or so.

If I remember right, Champ said he shot around 3000 to 4000 rounds of one lot to tune his rifle. Champ knew the lot and the machine the best ammunition was made. And he tested a bunch of lots. One test technique he used was erecting a sequence of paper targets. I would have to look at my notes, but he put up around ten paper targets in a line, starting maybe ten feet, and went out, maybe a foot apart. I can't remember exactly. What I do remember he shot ten shot groups and examined each target for signs of tipping. Champ must have spent thousands of dollars getting his rifle into tune.

Then, in 2011, the NRA squadded him in right in the pop up target pits during the Nationals. I shot there once, your target was downrange, the lane was in between a series of dirt mounds, used to protect the pop up targets. Winds were beyond unpredictable and chaotic. Vortexes would develop and move your bullet up and down and sideways!. It was impossible to shoot a good score and a total waste of time for a good shooter. Other shooters had a nice, flat, grassy field in front of them, the unlucky guy in the pop up pits never had a chance for a fair competition. NRA did not give a damn though. Champ never came back, he spent so much time, money, and energy, shooting matches till the Nationals, only to have the NRA place him in a location where it was impossible to shoot a good score. And I agree, the hell with that and NRA Competitions.
 
I thought you couldn't use muzzle brakes or tuners in F-Class matches. That's one of your F-Class rifles right? That's why I bring it up, but you'd certainly know more about it than me.
 
I thought you couldn't use muzzle brakes or tuners in F-Class matches. That's one of your F-Class rifles right? That's why I bring it up, but you'd certainly know more about it than me.

Tuners OK, muzzel brakes not
 
Tuners have been around for a while and from what I have read they do work. Years ago they became popular for a short while. Not sure why more aren't used these days
 
I have a BOSS rifle, my late Brothers A bolt. I always just went after the load, he was a factory ammo guy for rifle, so it made sense. Same for .22 guys, I suppose.
 
They are heavily used in .22 LR Benchrest.
They are also widely used in centerfire benchrest. I didn't count them at this year's Supershoot, but I'd estimate about 70-80% of the rifles there (including LV and HV classes) were fitted with tuners. Over the past 10 years or so, during which tuners have become increasingly popular, there has been considerable change in the design and use of tuners. Keeping in mind that hard-core benchrest shooters dance to a different "tune" than other shooters.
 
Nature Boy said:
There are more than a few being used on the F Class line too

And you're allowed to mess with something at the muzzle while the range is "hot"? Or would this be something that you adjust only when the range is "cold" and you're off the firing line?
 
And you're allowed to mess with something at the muzzle while the range is "hot"? Or would this be something that you adjust only when the range is "cold" and you're off the firing line?

That’s a good question. I don’t know the answer. Never noticed anyone making an adjustment during a match.
 
I asked earlier but what are you actually adjusting?
 
i think there’s 2 things going on @taliv

1. The weight of the tuner itself causes a dampening affect that widens the accuracy node. Some people report that their rifle shoots tighter groups when their magnetospeed is attached to their barrel. I think that might be what’s happening

2. The weight is distributed around the circumference of the tuner in varying increments so turning the tuner changes the position of the weight, which changes how the barrel oscillates

At least that’s my understanding of it.
 
The way I understand it is they "tune" the barrel so the bullet exits at the time the barrel is most stable during the recoil impulse/wave/curve/whatever. Which is basically what we do when we adjust powder charges. Does a barrel tuner work better? I have no idea, no one used on in Benchrest when I was shooting it, although the Boss was out by then IIRC.
 
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