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Posted: 11/3/2007 4:41:40 PM EDT
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I have a 16.1" Noveske Recon on one of my uppers and I just ordered another one. I usually shoot about 50 rounds in an hour or so when i shoot. What kind of service life can I expect out of these barrels? (how many rounds) Thanks :D How many would i be able to expect from a high end (COLT M4) Chrome Lined barrel? |
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At that rate of fire and proper maintenance I would expect to get 15,000 + rounds before you lose too much accuracy. Well over that probably before you start keyholing. From what I have seen this is my best guess. There are many factors as you can imagine that make this question hard to answer definitively, which is why you probably don't have any responses. A good stainless barrel should have excellent service life, especially at 50 rounds/hour unless its two mag dumps and let it cool for an hour. ETA: Saw your other question - I have shot 20,000 rounds through a CL barrel with only some deterioration of accuracy, but no keyholing. It was kept well cleaned after each range session but no excessive scrubbing/brushing just enough to keep the fouling down. I did not do any mag dumps or any high rate of fire much through that one though. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 rounds in an hour or so. Bushmaster barrel, which won't be much different than a Colt barrel. ETA2: Someone from ADCO or MSTN should have a more definitive response to this question, but as I said, there are a lot of other variables besides X brand barrel and X number of rounds (what type of rounds, how fast, cleaning practices, machining tolerances, etc.). |
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When Noveske sends out test barrels for field testing, they ask for them to be returned after 25k rounds. (No, you can't call them and ask to be a field tester, they choose their own guinea pigs). Last time I was at their shop, John had a box full of returns that all had 25k+ and were still serviceable when tested. If you are looking for precision accuracy, the service life will be shorter, but will depend heavily on how the barrel is shot and maintained. A determined individual with a supply of hot 77gr can shoot the accuracy out of a good barrel in 1000 rounds or less. A more careful, attentive one can squeeze 10-12,000 rounds of accurate fire out of the same barrel using slightly "cooler" loads and a more leisurely firing schedule and regular maintenance. |
| Put simply, good SS barrels will typically be able to outshoot the shooter for at least 10,000 rounds under normal firing conditions. If you're running MK262 in full auto, or something similar, you will probably notice decreased service life much more quickly. MJD |
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