Barrel Life Question

[Steve S.]

I used to worry about detail like barrel life until I realized that 1) I just don’t shoot enough to burn a barrel and 2) I usually do not own a gun for more than several hundred rounds. I love to read this stuff but it simply does not apply to my use style. People that burn barrels do a heck of a lot of shooting and good for them - Average Joe Rifle Enthusiast (me) never gets there but again, I love the science.

 

[Garandimal]

I keep hearing about the advancement of long range accuracy with the .260, 6mm and 6.5 mm. When does muzzle velocity come into play. I've heard a .264 Win Mag is very hard on barrels.
Not so much on Weatherby Mags, .300 Win Mags or 7mm Rem Mags. I realize quality of steel is a factor. What's the most bang for the buck?

You have tripped on several issues.

For Throat Erosion:
- Hot gasses ablate the throat rifling.
- The hotter the throat metal gets, the easier it ablates.
- Large capacity Over-bore cartridges require large amounts of slow burning powder to control chamber pressure, resulting in accelerated ablation.

For Muzzle Velocity:
- Slower burning powders will push a bullet to a higher velocity as long as there is enough barrel length to burn it in.
- Ballistic Coefficient can be substituted for muzzle velocity at longer ranges.

Conclusion:
The .270 WIN is clearly your best bet.
- High Velocity.
- Not excessively Over-bore.
- Not Large capacity.
- Burns max loads of slower burning powder in 24 in. barrels.
- Has reasonably high Ballistic Coefficients.




GR