How long can it go...?

[Big_Daddy]

Well I took the .223 Prairie Dog gun out to the range today to see if there is still any "life" left in the barrel. It currently has close to 11,000 rounds fired. It has been in service for 11 years of Prairie Dog hunts plus general range time.
Well I think I answered the question.
It continues to amaze me with its longevity..
.
5 rounds fired at 500 yards: 1.38" group (.26 MOA)
.223 McGowen heavy barrel
53gr V-Max bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3,150 fps
NightForce NXS scope.

This barrel, when retired, will be replaced with an URB barrel!

 

[ricco1949]

Nice....is there any rifling for the first few inches?

I rechambered a PD Savage 223 that had 10K+ rounds on it. There was no rifling for about 3-4 inches. It still shot MOA from the bench.

Well I took the .223 Prairie Dog gun out to the range today to see if there is still any "life" left in the barrel. It currently has close to 11,000 rounds fired. It has been in service for 11 years of Prairie Dog hunts plus general range time.
Well I think I answered the question.
It continues to amaze me with its longevity..
.
5 rounds fired at 500 yards: 1.38" group (.26 MOA)
.223 McGowen heavy barrel
53gr V-Max bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3,150 fps
NightForce NXS scope.

This barrel, when retired, will be replaced with an URB barrel!

View attachment 1707011

View attachment 1707010

 

[jonbearman]

I have 2 or 3 McGowens and they shoot really well and am very happy with them.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

Just installed my 5th McGowens barrel see no need to use any other

 

[Iowa Fox]

11 trips to the dog fields has to hold a lot of pleasant memories.

 

[Big_Daddy]

11 trips to the dog fields has to hold a lot of pleasant memories.

Many, many great memories.
I have been blessed to hunt on my best friend and hunting partners family property in the Dakotas for 11 years.
When he passed away almost 4 years ago, his extended family reached out to me and let me know that "I am family" and please continue the tradition on their property.
I feel very blessed to have access to 1,800+ acres of premium PD towns.
Being private land, only about 8 people are allowed to hunt it every year.
NEVER a shortage of available PD's

 

[JEFFPPC]

A well known gunsmith and shooter once told me , Everyone worries about the first couple inches of barrels but the accuracy is determined my the last 10 inches. I have come to believe he is correct. Why change it as long as it does the job?

 

[K22]

I am truly amazed at the accuracy of that rifle with that many rounds down the bore.

I would continue to use it but have a back up rifle just in case it goes sideways during a hunt. When my 22 250 when sideways, it happened fairly suddenly, i.e. from about 1/2 moa to about 1 1/2 moa. Granted, the 22 250 is significantly over bored cartridge and that may have had something to do with its sudden drop off.

 

[Big_Daddy]

I am truly amazed at the accuracy of that rifle with that many rounds down the bore.

I would continue to use it but have a back up rifle just in case it goes sideways during a hunt. When my 22 250 when sideways, it happened fairly suddenly, i.e. from about 1/2 moa to about 1 1/2 moa. Granted, the 22 250 is significantly over bored cartridge and that may have had something to do with its sudden drop off.

I am amazed also.
Definitely got my money's worth out of it!