Barrels can be shot out. Overbore cartridges like the 300 wthby are prime suspects. Barrels can go "south" in a hurry too. I wouldn't expect it to go after 300-400 rounds unless your friend shoots alot without letting the barrel cool. Hot burners like the wthby usually copper foul like crazy. Try really cleaning the bore with Sweets 7.62 copper solvent. check the barrel channel to make sure that its free floating.

The worst shot out barrels aren't going to shoot that bad. There are other issues going on here- bad crown, loose action screws, loose scope mount, poorly bedded stock (yes, not all gunsmiths are competent), even the free floated barrel could be the cause if the rifle likes upward pressure at the front of the stock, and last but not least, the shooter.

As far as shot out goes, I have a 60 year old turk mauser that actually has some of the lands worn out of the barrel that will shoot 5 inch groups at 100 yards- with crappy surplus ammo.

I hate to disagree but I must. I had a 223 that went from a sub 1/2 MOA weapon toover 6 inchduring a prairie dog trip.I shot nearly 1000 rounds through it on that trip alone and it was the rifles third trip to dog town. When I'm in dogs a don't let my guns cool, I'm having too much fun. I've never had a round "cook off" from the heat of the barrel but their has been a time or two that I wouldn't have been surprised if it had. Examination showed that the throat was completely eroded. Anew barrel brought it back to a 1/2 incher. So it can and does happen.

Ps. after that 223 quit me I grabbed my other 223 and tried to melt it down too! Prairie dogs are sooooo much fun to watch go splat!

Come on man, 1000 rounds ain't "shot out in a hurry". Its gradual. Maybe to a point where its a 300 round period where accuracy degrades.

No you mis-read. that was 1000 on that trip, I don't even know how many rounds went through that tube before that trip.....Maybe 4-5-6000. And oh yeah it went quick[8D] a lot of rounds in a short amount of time.....Good Times!

Last year I went with the intentions of shooting out a barrel. I wanted to build a custom with my 223's action but hated to throw away a "shooter" barrel. I knew that it had a lot of rounds through it and figured I could shoot it out. Trust me it can be done!

I am not sure, I don't think the question was about a varmit round like the 223, I think it was about a hunting round called 300Weatherby in which I bet 90% of the guns will be lucky to be shot 1000 times in 10 years.

I think its little different situation than going out blasting all day with a tiny varmit round like the 223.

I totally agree. I wasn't arguing that point at all. I was pointing out that the statement: "even shot out barrels won't shoot that bad" was eroneous. If you look back at my original statement, I think the problem is more likely a copper fouling issue or a non free floated barrel.