Camo tape wrap effecting accuracy.

[GQshayne]

I started using this stuff a while back, and I like it. My rifles have been restored with walnut re-done and, ceracoting to metalwork. So I thought a wrap would help prptect them when in the field. It certainly does that, and I also found it makes a great feel on sometimes other slippery surfaces. Cheap, and easy to put on and off as required.

However, we have just found a problem. Doing some load checking on a BLR that has a very short and light profile barrel, it was found to put the first two shots good enough for "minute of pig" and the third was way off. This was repeated a couple of times. Not rapid like you would after pigs, but 3 careful shots at a target with no real rush. After some discussion over the phone, dad told me the rifle had the wrap on it to the end of the barrel. We speculated it was keeping the heat in the .243 and not allowing it to dissapate. Removed the wrap, and three shots were on target.

Lesson learned.

[No1_49er]

The weight of the wrap, however small you might think it to be, is potentially altering the barrel harmonics.

[fussy]

Barrel is a tuning fork. Hollow, but it has certain vibrations, hence why load workup can make a huge difference, and why we free-float barrels.

[Fester]

You may get an idea if heat or harmonics are the culprits by just testing with a bit of tape at the crown end of the barrel.

Not handled a BLR, but those Hells Canyons are a very thin pencil barrel and would be 3 shots max to shoot a group.
The tape heat could easily make the 3rd shot start flying.

[GQshayne]

Either way, it seems to be have been the cause, but given that the first two shots were ok, it suggests heat. The BLR has a very slim barrel, so it heats up quick.

[Die Judicii]

I used to use it on Stainless Varmint Barrels to prevent glare when shooting daytime.
.308, 22/250, and .223 and found no issues at all with a shift in POI
So, maybe it affects light sporter barrels,,, but I certainly did not have any problems using it on the heavy varmint barrels.

I only stopped using it because all my shooting now is under darkness.
Another reason I stopped using it was, although it has no "adhesive" to speak of, after being on a barrel for several months it does leave some residue on the barrel, but that is easily removed by using paper towel dampened with WD40 or similar.

[Wapiti]

I don't think anyone needs camo tape anyway, as far as concealing steelwork from animals. None of us are hiding from people in a bush, either. Hope not anyway.
I also don't believe the repeated stories about stainless flashing in the sun and scaring game.
I've seen polished blued steel reflect light like a mirror, too.
If you're into a certain look, more power to you.

I remember the big selling point of the spraypaint called cerakote was to make your gun invisible to animals. It just chips off just the same as 2k paint easily on a firearm that isn't mothered through its life. No mates, it's your movement that alerts game.
How many times I've sat under a tree or froze when a deer or smart old boar has noticed me with my stainless rifle, watched me for as long as they could to see if I moved, and I didn't, before looking away?

What I would be worried about is the cloth used in that tape is cotton, and that holds water. The adhesive underneath is not waterproof and quite open, so if you want to basically leave a moisture-sucking rag against your metalwork, personal choice. Remember though, that the tape will hold the same percentage of moisture as there is in the air too.

If you are convinced shiny stainless is a signalling mirror, sandblast your barreled action and bolt handle with a non-iron media and coat it in furniture wax. It will be a dark grey and look like any old ringbarked tree or branch.

[GQshayne]

I did mention that the purpose of the tape was for protection, and it adds grip to a slippery surface. I was not worried about glare or appearance. And the tape only goes on when I am out using it, so only a week while I am away, and then it gets removed. For what I use it for, it is great. I had tried the stock covers made from neoprene, but too much of a pain. Tape is very easy, and does not move, or change the shape of the stock. Cheap too!

And the BLR barrel is lighter than my other sporter barrels on bolt actions, it is very slim. And it is only 20". Made for purpose, so cannot complain, as it works very well in the scrub. So maybe that is the difference.