Bloop Tubes & "Tuners" used at So. Nats.

[Travelor]

To me pure "bloop tubes" are just sails for the wind to blow against. I feel the same what about scope tube extensions - just sails for the wind to blow against. This is not considering the mental game where one shooter has one and does well so the other shooters think they need one.

Tuners, on the other hand, are for improving accuracy - and the mental aspect of feeling you can shoot better with one on your gun.

George

[Jetmugg]

For the application that I'm thinking of, the tuning for accuracy will be of secondary importance. Almost any rifle is capable of shooting better than I am capable of holding.

My main intention is to get some additional weight out near the muzzle for balance and to make the rifle feel less "jumpy" when trying to hold still. Plus, they just look cool, and will give this rifle more of the appearance that it has just landed from Mars and intends to shoot some good silhouette scores. (Martians are well renowned as offhand shooters, just ask Bugs Bunny).

SteveM.

[mike4764]

How would a bloop tube be considered a sight device. As far as I know any serious shooter uses a scope so it has no sighting use at all.
I should be going to the nats and I would protest anyone using a tuner or bloop tube.

[Jetmugg]

I suspect that there will be plenty of bloop tubes/tuners/muzzle extensions on Standard class rifles at the Nationals. At one time, Anschutz offered model 54 MS rifles with integrated bloop tubes and removable muzzle weights.

Hunter class rifles are not permitted to use such devices.

SteveM.

[lone ringer]

How would a bloop tube be considered a sight device. As far as I know any serious shooter uses a scope so it has no sighting use at all.
I should be going to the nats and I would protest anyone using a tuner or bloop tube.

Mike save your money and aggravation you will have when you lose the protests, barrel extensions (bloop tubes), weights and tuners have been used in rifle silhouette since the mid 80's when Anschutz came out with their running boar barreled action with bloop tube and weights mounted on a silhouette stock. Just because you interpret the rule a certain way does not make them illegal. By the way I am not a user or fan of them either but it does not bother me that others have them on their rifles.

[Dee]

How would a bloop tube be considered a sight device. As far as I know any serious shooter uses a scope so it has no sighting use at all.
I should be going to the nats and I would protest anyone using a tuner or bloop tube.

.


I think it is considered a sight device when used in conjunction with peep or open sights as it adds length to the sight radius which is legal in some types of shooting but not others. I think most of the time they have a limit on maximum sight radius. For a scoped shooter it just helps with balance and weight distribution.


Dee

[AZRifle]

How would a bloop tube be considered a sight device. As far as I know any serious shooter uses a scope so it has no sighting use at all.
I should be going to the nats and I would protest anyone using a tuner or bloop tube.

As stated by lone ringer, you would lose the protest. The rule does not say that the tube is required to be used as designed, just that they are acceptable to have on the rifle and, it can extend past the end of the barrel. Technically they are made to extend the sight radius for open sights and called "Sight Extension Tubes".

I only assume, as they are not barrel tuners, they might give a slight advantage by adding weight out on, and past, the end of the barrel for stability. Personally I do not like the feel of a forward weighted rifle. I want it balanced on my left hand and, back toward my chest as much as possible.

PS: Sorry about going left field on this post.....I was typing while Dee was posting, similar to that but I will leave it.

[steve b.]

J,

The tube is 6061 alum, so is the black. They do not bend from the additional weights on the bottom of the tube.

There is alot more going on than just tuning and sight radius when considering bloop tubes and tuners. If you study fluid mechanics and bullet stability, you will begin to understand why some work, and others don't.

As for wind loading on a cylinder, that is considerably different than a "sail."

s.

[Bob259]

Like Steve said, there is a lot more going on there.... I had found on my Std rifle that with the tube on at 100M my groups were considerly tighter and the recoil was more of a push straight back. Not sure why but in testing it always showed better results out at 100M.

[kevinbear]

At one time there was a rule that stated that the maximum length of the barrel and any attachments combined could not be longer than 30", don't know if that's still true.
Kevin

[mike4764]

I did not mean to come accross like a whiney baby. I would never protest anything. I just feel like silhouette should not be a money race. To be competative at the top level you already need a $2,000 rifle a minimum $600 scope and not to mention very expensive ammo. Multiply that by 3 shooters in my family and you can see what I mean.

[Bob259]

I did not mean to come accross like a whiney baby. I would never protest anything. I just feel like silhouette should not be a money race. To be competative at the top level you already need a $2,000 rifle a minimum $600 scope and not to mention very expensive ammo. Multiply that by 3 shooters in my family and you can see what I mean.

You don't need a $2,000 rifle to compete, that is a misconception that I for one get tired of hearing...
See this thread viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4507

Any of the top shooters can take a stock rifle and beat the majority of the shooters everytime they shoot. Owning a 'pretty' rifle at most 'may' gain a shooter one or two animals. It's the peson pulling the trigger that makes or breaks the score, this game is 95% mental and physical. All the top shooters Practice, Practice and Practice to get it right, buying a $2,000 rifle doesn't get you good scores its how and how much you practice that will improve your scores. To prove some of that there is a guy in our fall indoor league that has shot more perfect scores that anyone in the league with an old JC Higgins single shot .22 that he keeps in the barn and rides on his tractor that you wouldn't give $10 for than any custom or high dollar rifle in the league. If you think because you don't have a $2,000 rifle you're beat, you have already established failure in your mind... so don't do that. Make it a game to beat those folks with the $2,000 rifles by good honest practice and you' be surprised how much you improve and how many times you beat them. Then ask them if they want to swap for a good rifle ;)

[steve b.]

I agree with Bob completely, it's not a money race at all.

But too often I see the witch hunt of trying to complain about other rifles. If you have time to worry about protesting, you have time to really focus on yourself. If you're worring about another person's rifle, you've already lost the mental game.

Kevin, I'm pretty sure it's 30" That is what I work with.

[mike4764]

I completely dissagree with that. Im a high master 50ft bullseye shooter. There is no way I could shoot 290's with out my Hammerli. I compete in long range matches with a .50 bmg The winners are almost always McBros. Look at any big competition and the winners always use the best equipment.
I would like to see someone win the Nationals with a Ruger!
Equipment is everything!

[steve b.]

Well Mike,

I'm not sure what to tell you. I have $7000 in my rifle and about to drop another $1000 into it. It's 100% legal in standard class. I'm a terrible shooter.