Barrel life
 

hello,

Could someone tell me how long a heavy barrel in these calibers would be expected to last:

1. 6,5-284
2. 6,5x55
3. .243
4. .223

Thanks
jonj

RE: Barrel life
 

It won't really matter if the barrel is a heavy or light contour. I have rifles in several of these calibers.

The 6.5x55 is an old swedish mauser I have no idea how many rounds that barrel has seen in it's 90+years of life but the riflings in it look like they were made yesterday.

The .243 has seen about 1,000 rounds and is still what I'd call new.

My .223 rifle, which I compete with, is on its second barrel. The first one was replaced at about 15,000 rounds. It looked fairly good but accuracy had fallen to where I could shoot better groups than it could hold. The current barrel has about 2000 through it and it is aas good or better than I am.

What little I know about 6.5x.284 is that I's a pretty fast round and might fall into the "barrel burner" category so I can't really help much with that one.

RE: Barrel life
 

A .223 will last I bet 3000 rounds. I have yet to burn one out before trading or selling. I love .223. I think its a perfect balance of a varmit caliber. The 220swift too much, 22hornet too little.

A .243 about the same. Dominating factor I bet would be more damage from cleaning. Its hard not to do. Never burned a barrel out yet.

6.5X284. They are really not that fast. Never had one, but know alot that do. I will find out.

Only thing I have burned out is a 300RUM. And due to lack of knowledge how to take care of a barrel, I ruined my 270win, I had since I was 12. I still hunt it however.

RE: Barrel life
 

Thanks a lot guys

jonj

RE: Barrel life
 

Here's another way to look at it.

It takes a bullet about .0006 seconds to travel down a 24 inch barrel at 3000 fps so figure about 10,000 rounds and that barrel will last about 6 seconds. I know some competition shooters that change out barrels every 1000 to 2000 rounds shot through it so their barrels last less than two seconds.

Not very long huh.

RE: Barrel life
 

Properly cared for any of the mentioned cartridges should handle 5,000 rounds in a barrel and still be shooting satisfactorily.

Shoot the barrels hot and one might only get 1,000 rounds or less.

RE: Barrel life
 

I have a heavey barrel 223 that has close to 10000 rnds and still going strong . Any of the cal. that you listed if you don't shoot it hot , clean it and just take care of it will last many thou. rnd . Or you can shoot it so hot that you burn your self ,don't clean it or worse abuse it while you clean it , the barrel may last 1000 rnds . Take care of it and it will take care of you.

RE: Barrel life
 

barrel life is just a mith, ok sure it might decrease in accurasy after a long time but not that bad, as long as your not crap shooting a semi auto. you will fine with any.

RE: Barrel life
 

a heavy barrel will just keep the heat down and acuracy up


shootr

RE: Barrel life
 

Alot of good points besides the crazy myth post. I bet more barrels including mine dies from the cleaning process more than actually burning it out. Its very difficult even with bore scope, and coated rod, to not make any contact with a barrel. And the more copper fouling, the harder to clean, the more handling. I know I have ruined a crown or two. I have ruined barrels when I was a kid with that stupid hoppes kit and three piece rods. But I keep trying and trying to improve. I have used wipe out for the past 2 years trying to cut down on cleaning. Its a start. I have had a few guns built with super smooth Krieger barrels, which has really cut down on the cleaning.