Which is most detrimental to Barrel life and why?

[762plinker]

I'd say, all the above that's been mentioned effects barrel life as it all works in concert. To choose a single thing that's "most detrimental to barrel life" is apparently heat. And that's why I keep track of barrel temperature when firing and keeping my rate of fire reasonable.

Looking close at the chart below might help with an idea about that:

View attachment 1434626

the chart IGNORES velocity which is based on neck dia , case capacity and chosen powder.ignore the most common long bbl life,,30br and no definition of life....cause a benchrest 6 dasher does not go 1900 rounds

 

[Webster]

There are charts related to over bore. It's related to the weight of powder compared to the diameter of the hole the hot gases are going down. Temp has to also be a factor. Shooting fast also increases bore damage. They say you cannot wear out a 30BR barrel. My 6BR looks like 1000 shots with a bore scope after 4200 shots.

1.) Pressure- max/mid/low pressure loads. Quickloads, and or Reloading manual, or actual real pressure signs. Charge weight variance. How does pressure effect barrel life?

2.) Powder type- single base / double base. Fast burning or slower burning powders. Only about a 350 deg difference in chamber temps according to Quick loads.....3700 to 4050 deg.

3.) In line with question 2, the 95 percent burn rate. Less than 10 inches/ greater than 10 inches.

A powder that burns 95 percent, in say 15 to 20 inches of barrel vs 8 to 10 inches of barrel?

Slower burning powders are significantly greater than 10 inches at 95 percent burn. H4350 is an example. How important is this? How do 2 and 3 effect barrel life?

4.) What do you look for when trying to achieve maximum performance/ Small groups/ long barrel life?
Is it just luck for all of these to come together occasionally? What is the difference in a 1000 round Barrel vs a 4000 round barrel?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

the chart IGNORES velocity which is based on neck dia , case capacity and chosen powder.ignore the most common long bbl life,,30br and no definition of life....cause a benchrest 6 dasher does not go 1900 rounds

There are numerous examples of them lasting longer than that as well as not for that long. I'd say a good average is about 1500 rounds. But again, how hot you load plays a big part in that as well as some bbls just plain last longer than others. I don't think generic bullet speed has much to do with it if pressure and heat are not high.

 

[Webster]

There are numerous examples of them lasting longer than that as well as not for that long. I'd say a good average is about 1500 rounds. But again, how hot you load plays a big part in that as well as some bbls just plain last longer than others. I don't think generic bullet speed has much to do with it if pressure and heat are not high.

A couple of tecky reports by the military on bore erosion. It's called hot gas erosion. The military has a few techy reports on it on internet.

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA440938.pdf

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA328657.pdf

Added later:
I wonder what the bore life is with the new high pressure high velocity ammo in the new Army rifles they are talking about. Especially when they are intended to be fired fully automatic.

 

[Ggmac]

SHOOTING IT IS THE MOST DETRIMENTAL. Looking at it doesn’t hurt it a bit .

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

A couple of tecky reports by the military on bore erosion. It's called hot gas erosion. The military has a few techy reports on it on internet.

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA440938.pdf

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA328657.pdf

Added later:
I wonder what the bore life is with the new high pressure high velocity ammo in the new Army rifles they are talking about. Especially when they are intended to be fired fully automatic.

It's not their money. That said and they allude to in the first link, I think liners and platings may well serve military purposes well where we are interested in more precision than they are. Just very different applications is all. I would think something like a cobalt sleeve might work without being too brittle like the ceramic the article mentions. Just a thought, though.

 

[BowWow]

Heat...as in shooting a high volume of rounds in short period of time increases barrel wear. Such as rapid firing a semi automatic rifle. The barrel gets hot quick.

High capacity cartridge with smaller diameter calibers such as 7mm ultra magnum or some type of 6.5 or 6mm cartridge with a large powder capacity.

The 2 above things affect barrel wear the most.

The temperature at which a particular powder burns means something in barrel life, but it's a much smaller factor than compared to the above 2 factors.

 

[243winxb]

Rate of fire= Heat. https://discover.dtic.mil/

 

[scissorhands]

Iosso, haha
Just kidding

 

[Dave M.]

the chart IGNORES velocity which is based on neck dia , case capacity and chosen powder.ignore the most common long bbl life,,30br and no definition of life....cause a benchrest 6 dasher does not go 1900 rounds

I have a 6 dasher with over 4500 rounds on it that will still shoot 8 out of 10 five shot groups from 100 yards in the .2’s. I don’t shoot benchrest and if I did, no way I’d still have this barrel on. However, it’s proven time and time again that it is still more than capable of not only competing, but winning.
Dave

 

[762plinker]

I have a 6 dasher with over 4500 rounds on it that will still shoot 8 out of 10 five shot groups from 100 yards in the .2’s. I don’t shoot benchrest and if I did, no way I’d still have this barrel on. However, it’s proven time and time again that it is still more than capable of not only competing, but winning.
Dave

8 out of 10 means you go in knowing you don't have a winner .no way to prepare for competition.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

8 out of 10 means you go in knowing you don't have a winner .no way to prepare for competition.

For 600y F-open that dog will still hunt
Form the choices available id go with number 2

 

[Dgd6mm]

This forum is called Accurate Shooter and not Benchrest Central! 762 give it a break.
Dave M saidi it is still capable of winning the discipline that he shoots.
Dave M. F-Open Class Shooter....not your beloved Benchrest! 762 give it a break!

 

[Iowa Fox]

I have ruined barrels shooting too many sighters too fast....

Sighters can be the kiss of death.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Sighters can be the kiss of death.

So can not shooting enough of them, though. I shoot a lot of sighter in short range BR for Score. It typically takes more sighters than either group or long range, IME.

 

[centershot]

When I looked to build a prairie dog rifle, I know that a .22-250 was a barrel burner. Stayed away from that. Thought a .243 with light bullets would be the answer, same thing. I chose two cartridges based on the
.223 case. Liked the idea of 3,000 fps with 27 grains of powder. Less heat to stay with the thought of this thread. May not be able to make 400+ yard shots but I am okay with that.
I use the temperature strips from McMaster-Car on my rifles. Put right at the chamber, I believe they give ample warning of getting too hot. Then you can make up your own mind.