Rifle Barrel Longevity - Opinions ?

altos

Assume a stock quality rifle with a stock barrel. What is a reasonable expectation for barrel life assuming good (but not obsessive) cleaning, no abuse and "standard loads" ? I fully realize this is a subjective question. And I am sure there are "stories". Ok. But when someone plunks down bucks for an M1A NM or 700PSS or FN Police or an Anschutz 54, is it reasonable to expect/assume that the barrel (accuracy) will hold for 5000 rounds ? 10K ? 25K ?thanks !

Tailgunner1954

The cartridge is what is going to make the biggest difference. 30-06 class will probably need some throat work around 5K rounds 300 win mag class at around 3K the 300RUM class I'm guessing at around 1K rounds The rifeling won't be as effected as the throat of the chamber, and you can have the barrel set back a thread and re-cut the chamber and throat.What you will notice is the accuracy falling off as the throat erodes. It is somewhat subjective however, depending on how loose a group you will accept. If your demand 1/2 in. groups and won't accept 3/4 inchers than life will be shorter than if you can accept 2 inchers for the shooting you do. [This message has been edited by Tailgunner1954 (edited 04-08-2002).]

JustC

the above is correct, as does the caliber play a role, so does the load. As most handloaders know, the more accurate loads are charged down from max loads, therefore, handloadind for perfect (relative term) groups, will also slightly extend barrel life. I can't see the 308 eating away a barrel before 7-10k rnds.

altos

Great input ! I am sure there are others that will chime in. I have an Anschutz that seems to have settled in quite well after about 300 rounds. Since all rounds with that rifle are subsonic, I would expect good longevity. I shoot surplus .308 with the M1A and would expect 10K before any issues. I am not a brilliant shot, therefore, some degredation would not be disasterous although it would be beneficial if it lasted awhile. I have seen adds harping the FN SPR, claiming that their barrel is good for 25K rounds, about "3 times that of a 700PSS" (their claim). I don't know if that's bs and they are trying to unload discontinued rifles or what. I suppose Remington might object if someone bluntly claimed that a PSS will only handle 7-8K rounds. And... I was considering a PSS. Perhaps I should just ask Remington directly ! Hummm... wonder what kind of response I would get ?Thanks !

He Dog

The .264 mag was notorius for wearing out barrels, but some are going strong today. Besides the caliber, loads etc. a lot also depends upon what kind of use the rifle gets. While 7-8K may be a good estimate, remember that can either be a few years or a lifetime depending upon whether it is a hunting rifle shot less than 100 times a year, or if it is shot a great deal more.

ddhotbot

ok guys lets take this a step further,what if what we are talking about is a 22 rifle?its not hard too burn a 1000 rds in a day.i never really thought much about it but how long too do think a say 10-22 should last if you are feeding it a steady dose of cheap 22lr ammo?keep on bangin boys, don

altos

While I may chew up 100 rounds at a sitting with an Anschutz, I see plenty of people chewing up a brick or two as fast as they can load them. Of course, it also appears that the theory is based on the C130 gunship; enough lead spread over enough area will yield the intended result. Probably a gross and unfair generalization on my part. Considering the cost of an M1A, as an owner, if I could only get 5000 rounds out of a barrel I would be disappointed. I was considering a PSS, but again, if all I could get was a couple thousand rounds out of a $900 rifle, and then had to spend $450 to rebarrel it, I might think twice.Thanks for the comments !

altos

tailgunner1954,What I am taking away from your post (as someone who does not reload) is that TE is the issue, not "barrel wear", and that unless something ignorant is done it is reasonable to expect 10K of accurate rounds through a "good" barrel/throat combination with the weak link being the throat. Thanks for the input. If anyone else has a viewpoint, it's appreciated. By the bye, my reason for asking this question is that I have a lot of fun with my M1A and Anschutz. As good as an M1A is (and it is very good) I have toyed with the idea of acquiring an accurate bolt action .308, caliber still subject to review. I enjoy target shooting at 100-200 yards and don't hunt. My rifles are for the interest of poking holes in paper and, in times of extreme duress, personal protection (Defender and M1A, not the Anschutz unless I am attacked by rabid chipmunks). If I were to acquire a PSS or equivalent, and it "wears out" for any reason after a few thousand rounds, frankly, I wouldn't buy it and just continue to shoot the M1A. Anyway, that's the basis for the question.Thanks for your time and opinions. Keep'em coming.enjoy,

Tailgunner1954

Thats about it altos. Keep the rate of fire down to a reasonable level, so as to not cook the barrel. Select a cartidge that uses less powder to get the same job done (more efficent). When the groups exceed your personal standard of accuracy have the barrel unscrewed, cut 1 thread off the face and the same amount off the shoulder, screw the barrel back on and run in a finishing reamer (about 100 bucks total) you can do that 3-5 times before you need to consider replacing the barrel.As your going to be using factory ammo the standard you accept will depend on how close a match the ammo is to your rifle.308win is a great target round and theres lots of practice ammo around cheap (7.62 NATO). For punching paper you don't need to worry about using anything in the magnum class (unless your into serious 1000yd shooting and than you wouldn't be worrying about barrel life).I have a Shillen CM barrell on my -06 and right now it has swallowed somewhere over 7000 rounds of light mag ammo, been set back once and it will still put the first 3 rounds of the day into 3/4" (rapid fire) or do 10 shot groups in 1/2" if I let it cool off completely between shots. Were it a M1A doubt I would be able to pace myself that slow however

JustC

altos, you must consider your personality when looking at the purchase of a PSS. While I am a 700 rem man through and through, if I were a paper shooter only, I might have to spend my money elsewhere. You will still need a GOOD QUALITY scope to realize the potential of the rifle. Now your $900 just went to a realistic figure of $1600-$1900 or better. A tactical rifle deserves a tactical scope. Therefore, if having that much in the gun and shooting paper only, will make you happy, then by all means buy the PSS. BUT,.......if you are happy with a non one-hole group, and have just as much fun with a semi-auto plinking away at the target, save your money. The M1A and the PSS are totaly different rifles for totaly different purposes. But I will again say that I would bet the PSS will get many more rounds out of her barrel than 5K.

DEANWITTER

There are a LOT of variables on this topic but I had a Ruger #1 in
30-06 that I burned the throat out at less then 500 rds---accuracy
fell off and I took it to a gunsmith who did a chamber cast and
showed me how the THROAT was gone. I wasnt hotloading the 06
either--I blame it on cheap Ruger steel or some sort of defect. I
had the gunsmith rechamber it to 300H&H magnum and it shot fine and
then I sold it off. DW