Posted: 10/17/2007 1:44:24 AM EDT
|
I thought there was a thread on barrel life, for competition, but I couldn't find it. So, how many rounds do you usually put down range before it is prudent to put on a new one?? By the way I am talking about AR-15 platform. Pete A. |
| NM competition with an AR in .223 gives "about" 4,500 shots of accurate 600 yd use. This can change due to hot loads, hot or cool burning powder, and how the barrel is cleaned. After 4,000 rounds, just keep checking your Dope Book to see if your 300 and (especially) 600 yd groups are opening up or there are unexpected flyers in the group. 200 yd groups will be good much longer than 300 or 600 yd groups. |
Well said A.O.G.! For my two cents, much has to be said about the chamber that you started out with initially. For maximum barrel life I like the good old SAAMI spec chamber. The Wylde would be my next choice. The only barrels I use are Wilson SS 1x8" twist. I use three AR's. I have my freshest barrel is for the Nationals, leg matches etc. which is under 1000 rounds. For reduced course matches I use my next AR which is under 3000 rounds. For practice, my oldest barrel is what I use until my x count on the MR52 target drops off. Usually I get about 5000 accurate rounds per barrel. I'm a clean freak and for all my short range ammo I use flat base bullets and 4895 powder. Dave McGrath |
|
Jeff Bartlett, with 11,600rnds through his barrel, won the KY state championship this year, including a 197-10 at 600. My brother sold a pull-off with 5000rnds on it to another shooter who shot it for another 5000 or so rounds before he got nervous about shooting it. He was still shooting mid-190 scores at 600 after the 10k or so rounds. I pulled my Douglas at 3000 this year. The last shot downrange with it was big flaming 6. I'd been having unexplained 8's for the past few matches beforehand. Honestly, there are shooters who wouldn't be able to tell the difference 50 to 50000 thru a bbl. and those who can tell when the throats moved 1/10billionth of an inch. |