Savage 12 LPV in 243 or 308 - barrel life question

[Bear2000]

First off, let me say this is not a .243 vs. .308 thread! There have been plenty of those, and they've told me just about everything I need to know. I think both calibers would work for me (primarily putting holes in paper up to 600 yards, maybe some North Carolina-sized deer). I figure around 750-1000 hand-loaded rounds will go down the barrel every year.

What I want to know, maybe from someone who has shot Savages before, is whether or not there really is such a huge difference in barrel life in Savage barrels between the .243 and .308. I'm leaning toward the .243, and even if it's barrel won't last quite as long, it's also about $100 less than the .308. I can't find a Savage 12 Low Profile Varminter (the one I like most) under $700 in .308, but Buds has the .243 for $610 shipped.

Also, Savage tells me that they don't distinguish between two different calibers in terms of their testing for barrel life. They say 5000 rounds is typical for all barrels.

Anyway, I was wondering if someone has experience with both calibers and can say whether the difference is big enough to merit considering the .308. Again, both calibers will meet my target shooting and future hunting (I don't hunt now, but am interested) needs, but I don't know if I want to change out the barrel after a year or two.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[dakotasin]

Anyway, I was wondering if someone has experience with both calibers

yes.

and can say whether the difference is big enough to merit considering the .308.

no, not for your purposes. you will get more life out of the 308, but not enough to get worked up over.

 

[skinewmexico]

It's so easy to change barrels, you'll probably end up putting something else on long before you shoot that one out. And that is one of my dreams, to shoot out a barrel. How many of us can say we got to spend that much time shooting?

 

[Bear2000]

Thanks dakatasin and skinewmexico. That's reassuring. I think I'll be happier with the .243.

This is what happens, I guess, when you spend too much time reading threads on The High Road!

 

[browningguy]

I made the same decision a couple of months ago and got the .243. The advantages of lower recoil swayed me over the reduced barrel life. Barrel life could be significantly reduced in the .243 due to the higher velocities, but even the top match shooters seemed to think they were good for 2500 rounds or so and still maintain their accuracy requirments.

 

[rangerruck]

no , I dont see it as a possibility. Especially for one reason; heat. Do NOT let it build up, and the easiest way to do this, is to take a full 30 seconds between shots, before you even start to settle in for your next shot or even put your hand on the buttstock/trigger. this will make you take about 1 full minute between shots. This will keep your heat out.

 

[Shawnee]

As long as you don't run cartridges through it like a machine gun the .243 will be just fine for you and, like a couple others have said, you'll never have to be concerned about barrel life.

 

[BsChoy]

I would bet as long as you don't run the barel hot it would last longer than 2500 rounds easily...probably closer to 5000...but I have no real world experience with the caliber so who knows

 

[Bear2000]

Thanks everyone - I think it .243 may be the caliber for me. I usually take my time between shots, and given that I'll still be shooting my .223, I may not even get up to 750 rounds a year in the new rifle. A typical range trip for me is 25 rounds through the rifle and 100 through my 9mm, and I only manage once a week. I don't know what I'm worried about!

 

[skinewmexico]

Shoot it a lot until the throat moves enough that you can load some 115g DTACs. They sure seem like the hot ticket right now. From what I've read. On the internet. Nevermind.........