Post by: ICEMAN on November 20, 2010, 08:02:04 PM
I have a hand-me-down Remington 721 in .270 that has thousand and thousands of rounds down it.... The throat is looking a bit ugly, but it still shoots pretty darned good.
What actual burns up or ruins a barrel?
Post by: norsepeak on November 20, 2010, 08:07:43 PM
Post by: high country on November 20, 2010, 08:24:10 PM
Post by: Jamieb on November 21, 2010, 05:15:05 PM
Letting a barrel cool between groups and a bore guide will extend the life of a barrel by a long ways.
Hot gasses blasting the throat area over time does cause wear, more so in some of the hot rod cartridges but in most cases this will take years and a lot of rounds before it's noticeable.
Post by: ICEMAN on November 21, 2010, 05:22:07 PM
Post by: demontang on November 21, 2010, 07:43:16 PM
Post by: FC on November 22, 2010, 01:56:50 AM
The heat from firing repeated groups I don't believe is enough to cause damage, the barrel's temp even getting up to 400-500 degrees is nothing compared to the temps achieved by a bullets passage through the bore and the time spent at those temps is exactly what damages barrels!
How many here have rapid fired their pistols? I know I do every time I take mine out for close range shooting (under 25 yards), I get them way too hot to holster yet they are as accurate as ever after thousands of rounds through them.
How many here have rapid fired their AR? :rolleyes: I'm sure we are all too grown up for that! They will take it repeatedly for quite a while without apparent damage and if fired somewhat more responsibly they will last for tens of thousands of rounds without detriment. Compare other cartridges such as the 220 Swift and the 257 Weatherby if you want to see some barrel eaters. Back your speed down (keep it under 3600) on either and you will likely double the lifespan of the barrel.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 22, 2010, 05:17:19 AM
Post by: Cascade_Sherpa on December 22, 2010, 04:45:54 PM
With some barrels it is what they are made of. Some of the earlier Winchesters were made out of stainless steel.
Almost every firearm manufacturer makes a model with a stainless barrel. In fact most of the match grade barrels from Kreiger, Lilja, Rock, etc. are stainless barrels. Maybe I'm not understanding your post but Winchester still makes barrels ouf of SS. Nothing I've ever read or been told has led me to believe that SS barrels have a short life.
Post by: high country on December 22, 2010, 04:51:48 PM
Post by: thinkingman on December 22, 2010, 05:04:19 PM
Saw some of the more informed members discussing barrel life on another thread. I thought that it could be discussed here so that others can join in on the fun. Keep it civil... :chuckle:The question of what burns up a barrel?...heat and pressure....the faster you accelerate a bullet, the more plasma-like effect you have on the throat.
I have a hand-me-down Remington 721 in .270 that has thousand and thousands of rounds down it.... The throat is looking a bit ugly, but it still shoots pretty darned good.
What actual burns up or ruins a barrel?
Abrasion runs a distant second. unless you have a rusted, pitted barrel, or used a chemical or metal in the bore that was incompatible, you would have a hard time ruining it. Chafing the muzzle can be done pretty easily with a brush or rod.
Post by: high country on December 22, 2010, 05:07:11 PM
Post by: jdb on December 22, 2010, 06:31:13 PM
Post by: Bob33 on December 22, 2010, 06:50:48 PM
A barrel doesn't "wear out", it just gets less accurate. At what point that becomes unacceptable is what determines its useful life. Benchrest shooters might consider a barrel gone when the group size increases 1/8". Hunters may well accept 3" groups as acceptable, and that could occur after thousands and thousands of rounds.
Post by: high country on December 22, 2010, 06:55:35 PM
Post by: Bob33 on December 22, 2010, 07:22:39 PM
ice, if you wore a crown,Ice, is there something we don't know? Did you become royalty and didn't tell us, your good friends? :chuckle:
Post by: 2506 on December 22, 2010, 07:27:39 PM
Post by: Jekemi on January 07, 2011, 08:08:32 AM
Post by: high country on January 07, 2011, 08:44:43 AM
Post by: 44 Flattop on January 08, 2011, 10:49:07 PM
Post by: Alchase on January 16, 2011, 07:02:35 PM
Pretty much ALL of the above and no single thing.
Rust