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expected round count/barrel life #6958479 11/13/17 06:36 PM
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garyrapp55 Offline OP
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I understand there are variables that affect a barrels life. Generally, how many rounds can be put through a 308 and a 6.5CM before it is worn? I ask because I want to replace my factory barrel with a higher quality aftermarket and I'm struggling to decide which caliber I want.
Thanks,
Gary

Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6958491 11/13/17 06:41 PM
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Google shows 3k with 308. I suspect probably 1.5-2k with creed more.

Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6958499 11/13/17 06:43 PM
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I have heard creedmoor is about the same as 308. Similar velocities and only slightly higher pressure, so I wouldn't expect a huge difference.

Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6958500 11/13/17 06:45 PM
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I would think running hotter ammo would shorten the life.....are those round counts with factory ammo or custom loads? Or does it really make that much of a difference..... confused2


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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6958516 11/13/17 06:53 PM
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How you shoot them has a lot to do with barrel life round count than just the round count.

If you don't over heat the barrel and keep shooting the barrel will shoot many more rounds than if you run it hot. Many barrels have been burned out on prarie dog shoots in a short time.

The 243 will burn out a barrel faster than either of those rounds but you rarely hear about that.


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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6958544 11/13/17 07:15 PM
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Barrel life will greatly depend on how hot your ammo is, how fast you are running your bullets, and how quickly you shoot between shots. In a nut shell, a 6.5 CM should go about ~3000 rounds. A 308 Win should EASILY go 5000 rounds, if not into 10K+ rounds. I know shooters who have shot 10K+ rounds through some 308's and it still shoot 1/2 moa. A 308 is not that hard on barrels, which is one reason I shoot so much 308. (I think I shot 19 or 20 rounds in 90 seconds the last THF tactical match. This doesn't bother me at all with a 308)

From experience, I got 2600 rounds out of my 260 Rem 28" barrel. I set the barrel back 3" at the chamber (cut 3" off at the chamber and rechambered it again to 260 Rem) and 2" at the muzzle. After I set the barrel back, accuracy was only about 1/3 to 1/2 moa. It never shot very good after the set back. I got another 600 rounds after the set back before I couldn't take the poor accuracy any longer. (I'll never set another barrel back again)

My 300 Win Mag in my TRG 42 went 2200 rounds before I lost accuracy and velocity. That barrel was pushed HARD, with many rapid stings of fire. I ran a 190 SMK at 3050 fps for most of it's life. The 208 A-max got some playing time later on. That barrel was a chrome moly barrel, which is a little harder than stainless steel. A stainless barrel may take slightly less rounds to burn it out.

The first 2 things that happen when a barrel is shot out, is velocity loss and groups open up (and maybe some fliers mixed in). When my 300 WM went south, we were shooting out to 700 yards, and I had put a few rounds on target and had one round go about 10 feet left. I followed up with a hit. I didn't know what caused the flier. I then got some more random fliers and open groups further out at distance. We put a bore scope in it, and the first 2"-3" of throat had major chunks of metal missing in the rifling. The barrel will have some fire cracking that looks like an alligators back. But I didn't have any fire cracking until about 2", and the first 2" had all kinds of chunks of barrel missing. I had dropped over 100 fps from my standard 190 SMK load that was all on the same lot of powder still. And groups opened up. I have seen shooters shoot out a barrel during a match with random shots and bullets key holing on paper.

IMO, barrels are like tires on a car. Use the barrel up, then go get another one. I'd say 90% of shooters will rarely shoot enough to burn up a barrel. So, get what you want, shoot it up, and have a good time doing it!


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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: Chris42] #6958609 11/13/17 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: Chris42
Google shows 3k with 308. I suspect probably 1.5-2k with creed more.


That's low for the .308, it'll go way farther. Guy that owns Rifles Only in Kingsville reportedly put 10,000 down a .308.

100% sure a 6.5 Creedmoor is done at 2500 rounds. I've learned the hard way. My gunsmith got onto me last time. "Don't you ever get into this situation again. Next time you put 2000 down the barrel, get it to me with a new barrel blank."

I said "yessir".


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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6958737 11/13/17 09:47 PM
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I have 4380 through my 700.no signs of slowing down or opening up. Ive always heard 5k+ for the 308 and around 3k for the 6.5.
Don't have any experience with the 6.5 like other on here.


Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6958919 11/13/17 11:46 PM
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More than I want to spend on ammo...

Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6958922 11/13/17 11:49 PM
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If you shoot out a barrel, you must enjoy shooting that one so get another barrel and repeat


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6960274 11/14/17 09:14 PM
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If you push a 130 as fast as possible and drive it like Ricky Bobby you can smoke a 6.5 in 1500 rounds, drive a 140 or 147 at reasonable speeds it'll last between 2000-2500 without a problem, baby it and it can go past 3k rounds. Remember every time that barrel is really hot and you pull the trigger it's like putting 10 rounds down it. Some powders also make a diff, reloader 17 is a barrel eater. If you want to choot all day at the range and not worry about it go 308. If performance and recoil is a concern go 6.5. Or can't make up your mind, get one of each and make it a switch barrel.

Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6960421 11/14/17 10:54 PM
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I read today that accuracy begins to degrade at 1k rounds

So it depends what idea you have regarding "worn out"

I suspect each additional 1k increases the wear and further degrades accuracy but barrel quality will make it unpredictable.


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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: Pig_Popper] #6960426 11/14/17 11:01 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pig_Popper
I read today that accuracy begins to degrade at 1k rounds


On what chambering?


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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6960435 11/14/17 11:08 PM
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You can keep up good accuracy throughout the barrel's life. The throat will wear some and move back. I would chase the lands by seating the bullet out further ever so often (I was running a VLD bullet). I lost my chart that I had on my 260 Rem about how much throat wear I was seeing. I would lose about .020"-.030" every 600-1000 rounds in my 260 Rem. There was one match we had some barrel burning stages (high round count in a short time frame) and I lost a lot of throat after that match in about 200 rounds. If you chase the lands with your load, you can keep the good accuracy well into 2000+ rounds. When a barrel goes, it's like a light switch. It's shooting good, then it's not. When you shoot a rifle with enough rounds with the same load, you learn the personality of your rifle and how she shoots. When you are always changing ammo, bullets, and loads, it's harder to develop a solid personality with the rifle. That's why I buy 2- 8# kegs of powder of the same lot for most calibers. This will get you about 2600 rounds for a 6.5 CM, 260 Rem, or 6.5x47 Lapua case, which is about 1 barrel worth.


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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6960444 11/14/17 11:14 PM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: Pig_Popper
I read today that accuracy begins to degrade at 1k rounds


On what chambering?


"...stainless steel barrels chambered for the common .22 and 6mm benchrest cartridges are pretty much over the hill at 1000 rounds"

Last edited by Pig_Popper; 11/14/17 11:15 PM.

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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: Pig_Popper] #6960467 11/14/17 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pig_Popper

Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: Pig_Popper
I read today that accuracy begins to degrade at 1k rounds


On what chambering?


"...stainless steel barrels chambered for the common .22 and 6mm benchrest cartridges are pretty much over the hill at 1000 rounds"


That's a decent rule of thumb. Seems Ive seen some 6's go 50% farther. I know I've ran .22 farther. But accuracy degradations is subjective to the job of said rifle. Judd might have a bench rest rifle barrel he says is done, and it probably is for his standards. For my needs, it may still shoot within a tenth Mil, so I could potentially find a job for a barrel he would tomoato stake.


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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6961383 11/15/17 05:29 PM
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I wish I could find it again. Read an article that stated the 308 for military purposes was suppose to be good to 5000 rounds. But, as has been said before, put that barrel on a full-auto and run ammo through it as fast as you can and see if you get anywhere near that number. Like Fireman said, being 'shot out' depends on what your intended use is.


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Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: garyrapp55] #6962796 11/16/17 05:32 PM
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According to David tubbs hex boron will extend the barrel life and accuracy to the bore,is this fact or fiction?
I have read that moly has its problems, any first hand knowledge would be appreciated

Re: expected round count/barrel life [Re: BIGDOG1956] #6962859 11/16/17 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted By: BIGDOG1956
According to David tubbs hex boron will extend the barrel life and accuracy to the bore,is this fact or fiction?
I have read that moly has its problems, any first hand knowledge would be appreciated


I tried the hex-boron on the barrel and bullets and didn't get too far with the project. It was turning the bore of my barrel greenish/blue and I'm not certain what that was about so I just ceased using it.

I didn't try the Tubbs kit rather I ordered from another outlet that came recommended.


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