hometheaterman
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So I was thinking about a 25-06 or 243. Someone recently told me the barrel life of a 243 is only 1500 rounds or so usually. Is this true? How does the barrel life of a 25-06 compare?
What's the barrel life of a 243?
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matrem
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Given equal "respect", you'll never notice a difference in the two.
1500 rounds isn't much respect!
If anything.. I'd give the "equal treatment" edge to the .243.
1500 rounds isn't much respect!
If anything.. I'd give the "equal treatment" edge to the .243.
scchokedaddy
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??????
Matrem please explain why you like 243 over 25 06? Thank You Good Luck and God Bless
Matrem please explain why you like 243 over 25 06? Thank You Good Luck and God Bless
Maj Dad
Member
Hogwash
I have a 6mm Remington with several times that through it & it's as good as new, bore-wise. I have never shot super-max loads in great quantity, but neither have I ever shied away from hot recipes. Some of the over-bore cartridges like 220 Swift may have been bore-burners (early rifles, ? mild steel, I don't know), but I don't believe modern steels with current 243/6mm loads will ever be cause for early burn-out. I speak only for myself and my rifle, and it's nothing out of the ordinary (Ruger M77 old model). It will consistently shoot sub-one inch groups at 200 yds with H75 gr bullets & Rel 19, and velocities are ~3200 fps (I think - don't have data in front of me, but quick, for sure). I would say the 25-06 would be harder on the bore than the 243, but I don't think it is known for excessive bore wear, either. Get the one you think will do the job: antelope & deer at long ranges, I'd go for the 25-06, and for deer hunting in woods, the 243 is entirely adequate. I use a 45-70, so choose your own poison...
My 2 cents and just one opinion.
Maj Dad
I have a 6mm Remington with several times that through it & it's as good as new, bore-wise. I have never shot super-max loads in great quantity, but neither have I ever shied away from hot recipes. Some of the over-bore cartridges like 220 Swift may have been bore-burners (early rifles, ? mild steel, I don't know), but I don't believe modern steels with current 243/6mm loads will ever be cause for early burn-out. I speak only for myself and my rifle, and it's nothing out of the ordinary (Ruger M77 old model). It will consistently shoot sub-one inch groups at 200 yds with H75 gr bullets & Rel 19, and velocities are ~3200 fps (I think - don't have data in front of me, but quick, for sure). I would say the 25-06 would be harder on the bore than the 243, but I don't think it is known for excessive bore wear, either. Get the one you think will do the job: antelope & deer at long ranges, I'd go for the 25-06, and for deer hunting in woods, the 243 is entirely adequate. I use a 45-70, so choose your own poison...
My 2 cents and just one opinion.
Maj Dad
matrem
Member
Sincerely.. Good luck and God bless to you too ,Sir.
I don't have a "favorite" between those two. (I usually won't admit to liking either..but honestly like them both very well.)
The .25/06 burns far more powder than the .243, and I believe that is the biggest factor in throat erosion.
If you actually take your time shooting and let the barrel cool between shots, you shouldn't be concerned with barrel life. I've actually never seen a "shot out" barrel other than surplus rifles where they were probably abused and people ran corrosive ammo through them indiscriminately.
Howard Roark
Member
.243s shot in highpower competition last for around 1600 rounds before they start throwing wide 10s and light 9s.
That's what people mean when they say "if you don't shoot them hot". If you're a plinker, casual range shooter or casual prairie dogger you don't have to get your throat so hot as a high power match. IMO heat softens steel and erodes the throat quicker.
Ridgerunner665
Member
243 is much more "overbore" than a 25-06...therefore, the 243 will be harder on barrels.
Exact life expectancy...varies depending on the loads you shoot, but for hunting accuracy...the 243 should last at least 2500 rounds. The 25-06 might go 3000-3500 or so...
Exact life expectancy...varies depending on the loads you shoot, but for hunting accuracy...the 243 should last at least 2500 rounds. The 25-06 might go 3000-3500 or so...
browningguy
Member
I only know a couple of guys shooting .243 in competition and they shoot a case full of their favorite powder with 105-115 gr. bullets. Go to http://www.6mmbr.com/243Win.html and there are some excellent accuracy loads for the .243. But when you start shooting 115's at over 3100 FPS I would not expect long barrel life.
And for what it's worth I agree with the 1500-1600 rounds for a competition gun. For plinking and hunting it's probably a lot more, maybe double.
And for what it's worth I agree with the 1500-1600 rounds for a competition gun. For plinking and hunting it's probably a lot more, maybe double.
Howard Roark
Member
The most common course of fire in NRA high power accross the course competition is 22 shots in 22min at 200 and 600 yards, 10 shots in 60 sec at 200 yards twice and 10 shots in 70 sec at 300 yards twice. Including sighting shots the whole match is 88 rounds fired. Common loads are 40gr H4350 behind a 95gr Berger for the short lines and 37gr H4350 behind a 105/107 for the 600 yard line. A popular bullet for long range (800-1000 yards) is a 115gr Berger or DTAC with 44gr N165. These loads and others can be found at 6mmbr.com.
A friend that shoots a .243 has done tests with moly coating and barrel life. He found that his barrels lasted from 400-500 rounds longer before the accuracy fell off. All barrels were Harts.
A .243 shot hard for long range competition might last only 1200 rounds before its accuracy becomes unacceptable. A hunting rifle should last double that or more. A dead
deer don't know if the gun shoots 1" or 3/8" at 100 yards.
A friend that shoots a .243 has done tests with moly coating and barrel life. He found that his barrels lasted from 400-500 rounds longer before the accuracy fell off. All barrels were Harts.
A .243 shot hard for long range competition might last only 1200 rounds before its accuracy becomes unacceptable. A hunting rifle should last double that or more. A dead
deer don't know if the gun shoots 1" or 3/8" at 100 yards.
rangerruck
Member
I agree with most above; just don't blow ammo through it, like it was an ar or ak, and you will be fine. keep range/plinking/target shots down to 1 minute or more between shots, and you will be fine.
Of course, the other dude here is right; the 6mm remmy is better than both; faster round, longer neck, better for cooling, equals a better throat life than either.
I would think that the 25 is more overbore than a 243, so just generally speaking, i would say all things being equal, the 243 has a longer bbl life, than a 25.06.
Of course, the other dude here is right; the 6mm remmy is better than both; faster round, longer neck, better for cooling, equals a better throat life than either.
I would think that the 25 is more overbore than a 243, so just generally speaking, i would say all things being equal, the 243 has a longer bbl life, than a 25.06.
Uncle Mike
Member
yea...agree.
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