280 AI barrel life?

[mattri]

I know its been covered but can't seem to find it. What are peoplee getting out of their 280 Ackleys as far as accurate barrel life? Obviously use makes a huge impact so let's assume F class type shooting, how do they hold up?

 

[ShootDots]

For all intents and purposes, a 280A.I. has the same powder (maybe just a smidgen more) capacity as a .284 Shehane or 7mm Walker>>>both "improved" versions of the .284Win. There may be a grain or 2 more with the .280 but it will certainly carry the same barrel life as the other 2 if used in the same fashion. As you queried, for a F-Open rifle most shooters can expect somewhere in the vicinity of 2500 rounds (for the improved .284's) before the barrel goes far enough south as to not be viable for competition.. Remember, for whatever reason, some barrels last longer than others and some not as long as they "should".. But the 2500 number will be pretty close, especially is you use S-L-O-W powders in it..

 

[mattri]

Good information thanks. If one were to compare a straight 284 what would barrel life look like on it? Same criteria.

 

[ShootDots]

It would still be in the same vicinity... The key to long barrel life is 1.) slow burning powders; 2.) short shot strings; and 3.) proper cleaning... Hunting rifles can and do last a lifetime or more>>> my 6.5 x 284 will barely get past one season of F-Open>>>and I REALLY take care of my barrels..

 

[kev77]

280AI is about the same as a 284in barrel life

 

[Bart B.]

Barrel life is something that's often more emotional than factual. It depends on what round count do you think your barrel accuracy has degraded too much.

I've been using a formula (rule of thumb) that matches pretty well what top ranked competitors get with 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 caliber barrels. If the powder charge in grains is the same number as square millimeters of the bore's cross sectional area with a max charge, barrel life with best accuracy will be about 3000 rounds. Increase that charge weight for that caliber by 40% and barrel life is 1500 rounds. Double the charge weight and barrel life goes to 750 rounds. This is based on the rifle and its ammo shooting no worse than 1/4 MOA at 100 yards when new. If it starts out at about 1/2 MOA, then the barrel may well last twice as long; 3000 rounds. 22 and 30 caliber US service rifles have about a 10,000 round barrel life based on the accuracy they have with a new barrel at 100 yards.

Examples:

.22 PPC, 6 PPC and .308 Win., about 3000 rounds.

.30-06, about 2500 rounds.

.243 Win, about 1500 rounds.

.300 Win Mag, about 1200 rounds.

6.5x/284, about 750 rounds.

My estimate for the .280 AI's about 2000 rounds.

Your actual numbers may vary.

There's an article in this web site (link's below) with a barrel life Excel formula based on my original one. It's got a bit more life numbers wise, but it does use the powder burn rating to adjust it.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/07/handy-excel-formula-predicts-useful-barrel-life/