How many shots

I know each rifle is different, but when shooting groups for accuracy, how many consecutive shots do you take before allowing your rifle barrel to cool down?

No more than 5, I personally shoot 3 but this is with a sporter barrel. I don't think I would push a bull barrel past 10
Shooting a long action round

5 on a heavy barrel and 3 on a sporter.

I should have clarified I was asking in regard to a sporter/hunting rifle.

Five if the barrel will tolerate it. Many thin barrels will not tolerate more than three consecutive rounds. If you have three in a good group, and number four is way out of the group, you know the Max your barrel can handle. Same story with four, or five shots.

Again, it goes right back to knowing your rifle, its' ammo, and the scope it is wearing.

Probably not going to make anyone happy, but when used for hunting purposes I was taught to check how the gun held POI with a cold barrel on different days in different climate. In N.M. hunting that I used to do it could be 25* in the morning and 78* by noon, plus one day 10% humidity and the next day up in the 80%. Also important was to check if rough handling affected POI. Being able to have confidence in where the first shot would strike was more important than the 3rd or 5th. JMHO and the way I was taught. Equally important was the affect the variables would have on the ammo being used.

^^Gospel as well^^

Shot number one is the cold bore shot, and that is the hunting shot. Make the notes as Mr.Cole noted at any distance.

I tend to rezero through the year. Even with temp stable powders, composite stocks, rock solid base/ rings/ scopes zeroes can shift a tad. They will always hit within 1 1/2 MOA, but I like a 100 yard cold bore zero that will hit a dime at 100 yards.

Which reminds me to check zero tomorrow, the last time I did, it was 70° outside.

How cool should a barrel feel before taking another series of shots?

Well, its not going to get below air temp, so today it would be about 97.

Most of mine cool down to a reasonable temp after about 15 minutes in the shade.

Appreciate the comments.... verifies what I thought.

The last few days before a deer season, I like to take one shot a day, from the back porch, just to be sure.

I've never like the "fouling shot" idea, I really need to know where the first one is going...

Last time I went out to zero a couple of rifles, I took a few extra just to check them. So I lined them all up on a table and kept all ammo in the truck. Pulled one bullet out, shot one rifle, and left the bolt open. Then pulled another bullet out, shot the next rifle, and left the bolt open. Did that for 5 rifles and then went and checked the targets. Yes, I had a spotting scope, but the walk won't hurt me. By the time I got back, rifle number 1 was definitely ambient temp and ready for shot number 2. My rifles are all used for hunting so I need accurate cold bore shots. Found that shooting multiple rifles gave plenty of time for the barrels to cool and I didn't get bored waiting for them to cool and rush it. And leaving the ammo in the truck made sure that I did not grab the wrong ammo for the wrong rifle.

For a dedicated hunting rifle you really only need two to three shots. That first shot and the follow up are what really matter for a hunting rifle. After all who is really concerned with the 5th to 20th shot from an ultra lightweight mountain rifle. Just make sure the rifle is zeroed for a true cold bore shot.

For a target, plinking or fun gun shoot as many as the barrel will handle. Just be aware that a long string of shots will heat the barrel considerably and that is the fastest way to kill a barrel. For a target/recreational rifle I would zero for a warm/hot barrel and map the cold bore shot.