Posted By: Smokey Bear
How much effect does pressure have on barrel life? - 09/18/17 01:42 AM
While I was waiting for my rem mag to cool between groups yesterday I shot my 223 bolt gun. I have a low pressure Varget load that shoots pretty good and an IMR 8208 XBR load that is .3 grains below pressure signs that shoots lights out. I usually shoot the Varget load and reserve the XBR for serious target work, which for me is not that often. I'm an experienced shooter and reloader and shoot a good bit. I'm also fairly new to this site. It appears there is a lot of knowledge and experience here. Particularly shooters that take it a lot more serious than me.
On to my question: would you roll with the high pressure load full time and not worry about a shorter barrel life and a load that had its back to the wall, or go easy on a sweet shooting little varmint gun and save the high pressure load for times you are serious about it? How does the brain trust weigh in?
I shot Varget out of it for the most part yesterday, but did shoot a three shot group with the XBR. I just learned how to post pics and there are some targets still in my range bag. I will mark up a couple targets and take a couple pics.
On to my question: would you roll with the high pressure load full time and not worry about a shorter barrel life and a load that had its back to the wall, or go easy on a sweet shooting little varmint gun and save the high pressure load for times you are serious about it? How does the brain trust weigh in?
I shot Varget out of it for the most part yesterday, but did shoot a three shot group with the XBR. I just learned how to post pics and there are some targets still in my range bag. I will mark up a couple targets and take a couple pics.