A year or two ago I purchased a couple of small torches to attach to the barrels of a couple of my rifles. My CZ 452 .22 Magnum which I use a lot on my farm. And on a M96 sporterised Mauser in 6.5x55mm.

Missed a lot of stuff, rabbits etc with the .22 Mag. Usually test shoot it before using it to headshoot farmed deer, and the results were usually worrying. Missed a couple of deer the first time, but the second shot hit the brain both times.

The last time, the accuracy was horrible when test shooting it, and took the bloody torch off. The group at say 80 metres went from 2 1/2 inches to two bullet holes touching AGAIN! Thank goodness, back to normal and the accuracy I need.

I was wondering if anyone else has found this?

The "tactical" (wank) of hanging things off a barrel might be good for imagining clearing out urban buildings of "ninjas" at close range (only joking), but seems to affect accuracy and reliability tremendously on long arms. Makes a lot of sense, hanging stuff off a barrel will affect accuracy a lot.

What do you think? Positive or negative results and experience welcomed.

PS My desire for the torch on the barrel, was for shooting rabbits, hares, foxes, etc when working at night with the tractor, or quad bike. Also for killing pesky foxes quickly if they are calling around the farm at night. I think I will see if it can be mounted on the scope again, like the old full size spotlight.

Tne 6.5x55 is a safe queen at the moment, and not used much, so can't tell if it is affected as well. However it has a much heavier barrel. That rifle is also capable of fantastic accuracy, regular one hole 3-shot groups at a 100 metres.