Holden
Member
Was told that a barrell has a life of 300-600 rounds, depending on manufacturer...could this be true?
Barrell Life?
- Thread starter Holden
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Missing zeros there...
Something like a 223Remington or 308Winchester should have a life in excess of 5-6k rounds in terms of accurate life. While things a bit more "hot"(read as, burn more powder) will drop down into the 2-3k round range before the accuracy begins to degrade, things such as a 300WinMag or a 220Swift for instance.
Surprisingly, barrels don't really wear(rather lose accuracy) out because bullets are traveling down the bore. It has more to do with the amount of powder burned through them and how it errodes the area just ahead of the chambering(the throat) that plays a big enfluence on the accuracy of the rifle.
Something like a 223Remington or 308Winchester should have a life in excess of 5-6k rounds in terms of accurate life. While things a bit more "hot"(read as, burn more powder) will drop down into the 2-3k round range before the accuracy begins to degrade, things such as a 300WinMag or a 220Swift for instance.
Surprisingly, barrels don't really wear(rather lose accuracy) out because bullets are traveling down the bore. It has more to do with the amount of powder burned through them and how it errodes the area just ahead of the chambering(the throat) that plays a big enfluence on the accuracy of the rifle.
Barrel life varies greatly...
A .22 rimfire barrel will outlive you and probably your grandkids.
a .30-378 Weatherby Magnum barrel is best dialed in and saved for each hunting season, without a lot of shooting in between, unless you've got a bunch of money and don't mind replacing it fairly often.
Want a good rule of thumb? A barrel's life expectancy is proportional to the total pounds of powder fired through it.
Think about it. A pound of powder is 7000 grains. The bigger magnums run around 90 grains of powder each round. A .22 LR is considerably less than a tenth of that. The barrel-burner chamberings go through a LOT of powder in relatively few rounds.
A .22 rimfire barrel will outlive you and probably your grandkids.
a .30-378 Weatherby Magnum barrel is best dialed in and saved for each hunting season, without a lot of shooting in between, unless you've got a bunch of money and don't mind replacing it fairly often.
Want a good rule of thumb? A barrel's life expectancy is proportional to the total pounds of powder fired through it.
Think about it. A pound of powder is 7000 grains. The bigger magnums run around 90 grains of powder each round. A .22 LR is considerably less than a tenth of that. The barrel-burner chamberings go through a LOT of powder in relatively few rounds.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
A significant factor (IMO) is - if you reload - not only finding the load the rifle ''likes'' but ... avoiding obsession with max velocities.
Often it seems a reduction of load from (maybe a tempting!) near max will still give excellent performance, only reduce MV by a small amount - AND - extend barrel life.
Often it seems a reduction of load from (maybe a tempting!) near max will still give excellent performance, only reduce MV by a small amount - AND - extend barrel life.
rauchman
Member
From what I've read on the ballistics of the round, the .243 Win, seems ideal for the shooting I'd like to do. However, I've heard from a couple of places that the throat gets worn proportionally quicker than a .223Rem. Anyone know if this is true or not?
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
rauchman - can't testify to that ..... but on basis that the .243 is a .308 necked down .. that's quite a powder burn so working on the ''powder poundage'' thru-put sorta deal .. that could well be the case.
Mind you .. I shoot way fewer .243's myself so doubt I'll have an issue with it ..... whereas .223 .... much more!!
Mind you .. I shoot way fewer .243's myself so doubt I'll have an issue with it ..... whereas .223 .... much more!!
rauchman
Member
P95Carry,
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
Holden
Member
Good to know it's in the 1000's. Bought the 300wsm and thought I might have an obsolete weapon in a few years - glad to know that is not the case.
Thanks for the replies and will keep this in mind when selecting my next rifle.
Thanks for the replies and will keep this in mind when selecting my next rifle.
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