243 Barrel Life

[shaner72]

Hi I am looking at a T/C Icon in 243cal it has the 5R rifling. I was wondering what people thought of this barrel and was wondering what kind of barrel life can I expect out of a 243 with this barrel or your standerd barrel. I also was wondering who made barrels for Thompson Center. If anyone could answer any of my questions that would be great thank's.

 

[fdshuster]

I burned out 2, 243 Winchester barrels, one a Douglas chrome moly at a documented 1400 rounds, and the second a stainless Shilen in 1450. My standard accuracy load was 37 grs. of IMR 3031 with the 75 gr. Sierra #1510 bullet, all firing single load, slow fire at paper targets. Accuracy began to go downhill around 1000 rounds, and copper fouling became more of a problem.

 

[RonAKA]

The article at the link below suggests a method for estimating barrel life. I think it gives somewhat reasonable estimates. It may not give totally accurate absolute numbers, but probably good relative numbers when comparing different cartridges.

http://yarchive.net/gun/barrel/barrel_life.html

 

[15Tango]

The TC Icon is a cool rifle, sort of a budge Sauer 202. Externally adjustable trigger, independent bolt lock, 60 degree bolt throw and a drop box magazine and integrated Weaver rails. Sounds like an awesome action to build a custom off of some day, even if you do manage to wear the barrel out. That 3-lug bolt looks extremely strong, too.

General consensus I've heard from people about the .243 Win. is it gives around 1300-1500 rounds of premo accuracy. 5R rifling is supposed to last a little longer than standard though so that in theory should help barrel life.

Are you buying it as a hunting rig? If so I think you'll get a lot more than 1500 rounds worth of 'hunting accuracy' out of it. The average hunter around here can't shoot under 1.5" at 100 yards, they harvest plenty of game still.

If you like the rifle and cartridge go for it if the price is right.

Wayne

 

[moorepower]

How about sending it down to MMI and then see how it lasts?

 

[Dgd6mm]

1500 rounds max, borescoped some low round count .243's and at 3 hundred rounds you already see throat erosion. We got six of them back from MMI last week. We screwed four of them on yesterday and bedded three. Two of them we put on are .243, one 6CM, and one 7rsaum. The other two that we did not install are another .243 and a .260. We will probably borescope these at regular intervals. I spent about 3 months researhing and talking to Joel and the MMI plant. I believe whole heartedly that this is a solid investment at the cost of less then 45.00 a barrel, shipping there and back included. My 6CM already gets great barrel life, just looking to get a little more.

 

[Scott Harris]

I'm up to 1850 rounds and just shot my highest score and won a club F-class match. 39.3gr H4350 over a Berger 105 VLD. Flyers? I still can't tell if it's me or the barrel, so I'll keep shooting till it is more obvious.

 

[shaner72]

Thank's for all the reply's. I'm going to be shooting paper an some varm so I wont be putting as many round's through it as some of you do. I was just wondering how the barrel's hold up with the 243. I was looking at a 223 but I like the versatility of the 243. Thank's again everyone and take care. If I get this T/C Icon I will let you all know how it perform's.

 

[CPorter]

It really depends on what you shoot, how fast you shoot, the barrel material and how you clean it. I had about 2300 rounds through my factory barrel when it stopped shooting <1/2 moa. I have a Lilja stainless steel barrel that I have been using tungsten disulfide or boron nitride coated bullets since new and it has over 2500 rounds through it and still shoots 80gr Noslers into 1/4" to 3/8" groups.

 

[LCazador]

I did this test with two 243 barrels both new match grade HV taper stainless barrels shooting 95 gr. match bullets and 38gr. Varget . I have a bore scope and I monitored the results . One barrel was shot 100 rounds at time without cleaning and was shot up to 20 times in succession without a cool down , the other was shot no more than ten times without a cool down and firing was done at a much slower pace. Cleaning for this barrel was done every 50 shots . Both barrels were shot three hundred times after the same break in of 20 rounds . Barrel one , was severly damaged with severe fire cracking at the leade and throat , had to be rechambered . Barrel two looked like new . Don't shoot it hot and keep it clean . One afternoon can ruin a barrel !

 

[Scott Harris]

Borescopes? I think rounds on target are a better indicator of wear that what you see in the barrel. Who cares what it looks like in there as long as it is still shooting? If you can't tell your barrel is shooting noticeably worse, then keep shooting it. After this weekend, I'm over 2000 rounds and 280 since the last barrel cleaning. My son and I shot 581 & 583 at the 500 yard match: a new record for him.

 

[fdshuster]

A borescope is a positive way of backing up your suspicions when the rifle starts to throw an occassional,( soon followed by more frequent) wild shots. Also an excellent way to determine that the cause is barrel wear and not simply a need for a concentrated cleaning session to remove built up copper and more importantly, carbon fouling. I've had a few barrels that gave every indication of being shot out, 'scoped them out and found the cause to be nothing more than requiring a good cleaning. They then returned to their usual performance. No guessing involved when you are able to get up close and personal. Also provides an excellent view of the all important condition of the crown. One of the most valuable investemnts I've ever made.

 

[Dgd6mm]

The borescope will tell you if it is you or the barrel. No wondering which it is, copper fouling, carbon buildup, or barrel wear when a scope is used. Is that 8 me or the rifle? I'd rather know then guess.