6.5 PRC barrel life

[rebel107]

Just wondering what barrel life numbers can expected running a 6.5 PRC at 3050 Fps in F class using H1000 with 153.5's and 147's

 

[Gb300wm]

I found this years ago….

 

[B23]

Because it is nearly a twin to the 6.5-284 and since the 6.5-284 has been around longer with many F Class shooters using them and shooting out the barrels I'd say whatever those guys are getting for barrel life will be very comparable to what a 6.5 PRC will be like.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Just wondering what barrel life numbers can expected running a 6.5 PRC at 3050 Fps in F class using H100 with 153.5's and 147's

Are you talking about a barrel that 30" long for that velocity (and I assume you meant H1000)?

It seems to me "barrel life" depends on where you draw the line for when the barrel isn't performing to one's expectations. . .???

The barrel on my 6.5 PRC has just over 2,000 rounds on it and using mostly hot loads where I've been using Berger 153.5's and 142SMK's. The 153.5 have been working very well for me using Retumbo and pushing them to just under 3,000 fps out of a 26" barrel. So far, I'm still getting good results, but now am keeping a close eye round count as I'm expecting not to go much more (maybe to 500 more) giving me sub .5 MOA results.

I do have that barrel life chart in my library, but take it as a loose guideline as my barrel is well over what it suggests since my powder charge weights are typically between 56 and 58 grs:

 

[rebel107]

Yes H1000 62gr powder with 30" barrel. Button barrel @ 600 rounds and the groups look like a 12g at 800yds. Plus it takes about 8 shots before it even starts to shoot not to bad but not competitive now. It was ok for about 400 rounds then has now started to open up big time.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Yes H1000 62gr powder with 30" barrel. Button barrel @ 600 rounds and the groups look like a 12g at 800yds. Plus it takes about 8 shots before it even starts to shoot not to bad but not competitive now. It was ok for about 400 rounds then has now started to open up big time.

Hmmmm??? I'd guess you're using Norma brass. Given typical Norma brass case volume, your load appears hot, but not over pressured. So, I'd think you've still got a lot of life in your barrel. Maybe you just need to run a new load development adjustment???

 

[rebel107]

Lap brass

 

[mic2377]

Your loads are likely too hot. Hence it is not staying in tune. Typical loads with a 147/153 gr bullets are in the 55-57 gr range. I know that ~58 gr of H1000, +/- 0.5 gr, has always been max with 143's for me depending on the rifle.

Back off and rework things. Realistic barrel life is in the 1200-1500 rd range depending on your accuracy requirements. In theory H1000 is cooler burning powder and should help too.

 

[Rogmay]

I Played with a 6.5PRC in F-class, it started going to shit at 800 to 900 rounds. I was running the 153 bergers closer to 3000 ft./s with n565 out of a 32 inch barrel. gunshot phenomenal until it didn’t, might play it again sometime, but I felt the juice just wasn’t worth the squeeze!

 

[Tangent]

Anyone tried N170? Maybe trade a little velocity for barrel life?

 

[drop_point]

About 800-900 rounds.

 

[Fire Dog]

About 800-900 rounds.

And I thought my friend’s 7Saum with the 1,000-1,200 barrel life was $$$…
My smith did tell me that SS barrels will shoot right up to the point that they just stop where a Crome Moly barrel just fades away.
Certainly the case for me when my SS 6BR barrel died two shoots before the end of the comp year and cost me the the club F Open win…
A day’s worth of cleaning to have it shoot alright for the first string and then go erratic and throw shots in the second string.

 

[WV Hitman]

My 6.5/.284 XP-100 handgun gave up the ghost after 2200 rounds with Hybrid and 130ABs, 125 PTs, 120 BTs. The first 1/2" in front of the chamber was smooth as a shotgun barrel. It still shot fair, but is my primary so a new Douglas has been installed.

 

[Steve Donlon]

I only got 700 rounds out of a 6.5 Creedmoor button rifled barrel because I was not letting the barrel cool off shooting long strings. It's not hard to burn out a button rifled barrel. Got to go slow in the summer.