Ocw
#22
The barrel on my main match rifle last season was a Rock Creek tube, the beginning of the end started around 500 rounds. It was losing ~15fps per 100rnds by 1000rnds. I was stuck with it to finish the competition season, which took me through 1470 rounds. I spun it off at 1471 rounds - which was at least 600 rounds too late. It held onto enough accuracy to compete in PRS, but the velocity was a terrible downhill slide. I ended the season shooting a high node load, 1.5grns higher than where I started the season, and was still something like 200fps slower!
The replacement barrel this season is at 794 rounds currently, and holding onto the exact same speed for the last 3 work-ups. I have about 700 rounds left on the match schedule for this season, then it’ll come off and get replaced for next season. The only reason I made it through the season on one tube is the fact I lost 2 months of season due to work schedule, and missed several matches. I HAD planned to change barrels between 4th of July and now, but I missed enough matches early on to make this barrel last all season. I also did my practice with other rifles to save my match rifle.
It’s all about the accuracy demand/expectation for the application, and the overbore ratio of your cartridge. Like @Big Uncle mentioned, my first 6.5-284 barrel for 600/1000yrd benchrest was toast after 800 rounds. I shot a 243AI for a while which was already done by 700. Alternatively, I used to expect 3500-4000rnds from a Service Rifle barrel. For PRS, we don’t have to shoot quite as small as benchresters, we just need consistent velocity and ~3/4moa. Rounds like 6x47L and 6 creed should make it 1200-1500rnds before failing to make the grade for PRS, but they’d be toast long before that for benchrest. We expect a bit more from the 6BR based cartridges. Guys running 6.5 Creed might get 2500-3000.
We also have to consider the logistics of replacement. I have/had 3 matches in 3 weekends this month, then leave for a hunting trip next week, then 3 matches in 6wks to finish out my season. I don’t have time to have my rifle out at a smith for a month, then spend another week or two in load development right now - I need my barrel to hang on and make it through the State and Regional Finales. But even if it DOES make it through the end of the season, I’m going to change the barrel this winter, so I start next season with a fresh tube. I’ll shoot two rifles next season so I know I will make it through an even heavier match schedule next year, and rebarrel both at the end.
The good news - or maybe just the “reality,” since it’s not really good news - is the fact the barrel really isn’t so expensive in the scheme of things. I generally figure $250-350 for Regional level PRS/NRL matches, and $800-1000 per National level PRS/NRL match. Lower level guys like me might shoot one or two Regional matches per month during season, and 2 or 3 National level matches - good for about 6-7 small matches and 2-3 big ones. That’s 1400-1800 rounds - easily finishing out a barrel in one season, good for about $700 in replacement cost. BUT - spending over $3,000 in match fees, hotel, reloaded ammo, fuel, and food on the road. So the barrel cost isn’t really terribly consequential.
Last edited by Nomercy448; 08-20-2019 at 04:53 PM.
#23
Yep, barrels age kind of like people. You will not see any Olympic gymnasts above a certain age, tennis players last longer, but you can play golf (at some level) as long as you can walk and swing your arms. It all comes down to the demands of your sport. Club level competition barrels last a long time and hunting rifle barrels usually last a lifetime or two unless you mistreat them. I do know some prairie dog shooters that cook their barrels often but they are exceptions to the rule. A mild cartridge like the 6.5 Creed, 7-08, etc. should be easy on barrels and bang those steel plates for a long time.
#24
It has been a few years since anyone has used a 7mm anything and made it to the PRS Finale. The 6.5 creed is hanging around, but it hasn’t been a favorite among experienced guys for several years already too. Only 3 shooters out of the top 125 in the PRS last season used a 6.5 Creed at the Finale (none in the top 10). Running a 6mm knocks 1/3 of the recoil off of your rifle, for free, and takes a few tenth mils off of your windage. It’s a win-win, until you start talking about barrel life. A lot of guys have gone to the smaller 6BR based cartridges (and by a lot, I mean almost half of the shooters who qualified for the NRL or PRS Finales last season), in an effort to expand barrel life without giving up low recoil and fast flight.
A lot of guys do start with long barrel life rounds like 6.5 creed or 308win, but they quickly realize how many points they lose due to the high recoil. If you can’t balance your rifle on the tip of a T post and see your impact on a 1moa target at 600yrds, either your rifle weighs too little, or your bullet weighs too much.
It’s all about the advantages under the rules of the game. Recoil is an extreme penalty.
#25
Well I'm not going to be shooting matches with mine. It will last me the rest of my life (however long God wants me to stay here). I just want the humble satisfaction of dinging steel plates or rocks at various distances with a rifle that is shooting to the best of its ability. I have a couple places near my house that I can set up to and take shots at game out to about 500 yards should i get proficient enough to do so.
#26
Well I'm not going to be shooting matches with mine. It will last me the rest of my life (however long God wants me to stay here). I just want the humble satisfaction of dinging steel plates or rocks at various distances with a rifle that is shooting to the best of its ability. I have a couple places near my house that I can set up to and take shots at game out to about 500 yards should i get proficient enough to do so.
As mentioned in another thread here this week, your target often dictates your group potential. 66% IPSC’s give great reference for square edges and aiming references. They’re 2.3moa wide by 3.8moa tall (3.0moa body, minus head), plenty to aim at for even a 3-9x scope, all the better for a higher magnification optic. Placing small groups on 66% IPSC’s as a development process is simple and straightforward.
The most important advice I can give - go shoot it. I recently took an old high school friend I had not seen in over 15yrs to a match with me. He had bought a Bergara B14 HMR over a year ago. Had never fired it past 400yrds, and wanted to get out to 1,000 “someday.” He posted as much on Facebook, which I rarely use, but that Sunday, I did, and I noticed his post. Within 6 days, I had his BC trued, velocity confirmed and he made impacts at 1088yrds during the match - connecting on his second shot ever past 1,000. Nothing magic, just making an opportunity to go do it, and then acting upon it. He hit a full size IPSC, 18” wide at 1,088 yards on his second shot, and hit it again with a 3rd. Can he shoot smaller? Probably. But on the clock, in a dynamic field position, and only with calculated data, connecting 2 out of 3, only missing once due to the 20+ mph wind value, it checked a box for him.
#27
Nomercy I'm going to have a lot to do before I get to that point. Everything is waiting for me when I get back up to PA. The rifle is at the gun shop. And I had a 20 MOA rail, rings, and dies sent to my friend's house. I do have a Zeiss Conquest 4-16X setting on my loading bench at home. But I was thinking of a Mueller 8-32x 44mm scope. I've seen good reviews on them and it may be good for my intended purpose AND my limited budget.