Been trying to find a good estimate on the M249 SAW's barrel life, but I'm not finding anything.  Anyone know approximately how many rounds they're good for?  Assuming you don't constantly get it cherry red while firing....

Ive heard anywhere from 90k-120k if it is never abused.

Seriously doubt that.  Maybe 20-25K accuracy will start falling off and around 30-35 the throat erosion will be to far gone it would start key holing.  40K max but even that I highly doubt.  Now the 240 would probably last longer because the 308 is slower and less heat friction from the high velocity round like 5.56.

Are you asking about for a 249S or for a post-sample?

You may have some difficulty getting an accurate answer for this if you're wanting to know how long it will last on a 249S, as it's not strictly what the barrel was ever designed for, and even a "rapid fire" semi-auto belt fed is still not going to develop the same kind of heat in the same round counts/amount of time as a real M249. Accuracy standards for "shot out" also may or may not be the same depending on what you're looking for and what your expectations are.

~Augee

Yes, I'm interested mostly in info for the M249s.  I figured I wouldn't find much, if any, numbers for it, so I tried finding anything concrete for the 249.  Still couldn't find anything definitive on the barrel besides rates for barrel changes.  I did see an estimate for the receiver life being something like 50,000 rounds (vs 60,000 vs the 240b).