Armory Sponsor
Posted: 10/17/2012 6:48:37 AM EDT
|
Not sure if this falls under reloading or not.
I have a Rem 700 in .308 with 26" barrel. Shooting 168 SMK HPBT, 41gr IMR4895 @ 2400 FPS avg. I usually shoot 5 shot strings and and let it cool back down. How many rounds can I expect to get through the barrel before it'll need to be replaced? I'm in the 800's now. What kind and where can one get a replacement barrel? Thanks in advance! King |
|
Also, 41gr 4895 in a 26" bbl at 2400 fps is coasting (relatively speaking).
FGMM with the 168SMK runs 2650fps in a 24" bbl. according to Federal. May / June 2010 Guns and Ammo? mag reports 2409 fps in a Socom 16" bbl with the same FGMM. I run 2730 fps in my 26" Remy bolt gun, with practically the same as FGMM handload config, & 44gr 4895. So, your load should extend barrel life a little more. |
|
Here's the thing - without an accuracy requirement, no one can tell you how long a barrel will last.
If you asked how long until 50% of the rounds no longer hit within 1/2 MOA at 100 yards (or whatever), then people will begin to think about barrel life. It probably depends upon barrel maker and cleaning regimen, at least a little bit, too. I don't know of any quantitative data but still,... If you open the reuirement to 1 MOA at 600 yards, you get a different answer. 2 MOA at 1,000 yards is yet another answer. My 308 has a mix of heavy and light loads, single fire and rapid fire. It has over 5,000 rounds and is still fine (by my standards). The barrel has been set back once but still the throat erosion is pretty bad. It's all about "accuracy life". |
I will assume you are not using it in bench rest competition. I've worn out 3 USGI 30/06 bbls firing full auto. The barrels were not chrome lined or stellite lined. I kept firing records and monitored throat wear with a USGI throat erosion gauge. Typical firing was 20 rounds full auto and let it cool some. Each bbl lasted 5250-5500 rounds before the bursts suddenly went from inches to feet in diameter. So, my estimate for your use pattern is 8000-10000 rounds before the accuracy is too bad and a new bbl is needed. Be sure and post in a few years what happened.
|
| The 308 is not a "overbore" case and the way you are shooting it and your load is not going to be frying your barrel like a .264 mag or a 220 swift for examle.The 30 caliber hole and 41 to even 50 grains of powder is going to be an extremly slow death for your barrel.I would not even give it much thought.You will wear it out faster by cleaning to much than shooting it. |
|
Just for humors sake....http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/facts-about-barrel-life/
Seriously though... there are a lot of variables in an answer for you. Powder , bullet, rapid fire, slow fire., quality of steel... etc. I will suggest you go buy a battery powered "air mattress" inflator and some tubing that will fit onto your gizmo and into your chamber. That will blow cooler air down the barrel and will help the barrel cool off faster. |
|
Quoted:
Just for humors sake....http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/facts-about-barrel-life/ Seriously though... there are a lot of variables in an answer for you. Powder , bullet, rapid fire, slow fire., quality of steel... etc. I will suggest you go buy a battery powered "air mattress" inflator and some tubing that will fit onto your gizmo and into your chamber. That will blow cooler air down the barrel and will help the barrel cool off faster. I do agree with you.. I was just looking for a ball park answer with what I'm shooting. That being said whats a good load for what I'm shooting. I really like the bullets but I'm open to different powder and charge weight.. |
|
http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/excel-formula-predicts-useful-barrel-life/
Enter some of the info ( Caliber and charge weight ) hover over the next one ( Powder Heat Potential ) , use the approximate amount from that. Add the pressure info ( approx. will work ok for this ) As for a replacement barrel... I would suggest a Krieger , IMHO it is one of the best, if not the best...... But you have lot of good life left in your current barrel. I also love these bore polish / cleaner for bolt guns. http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/solvents-degreasers/bore-cleaning-paste/j-b-reg-bore-bright-prod1161.aspx and... http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/solvents-degreasers/bore-cleaning-paste/j-b-non-embedding-bore-cleaning-compound-prod1160.aspx |
Armory Sponsor