6mm ppc barrel life, how many shots before groups open up?

[mparsons911]

Hello All,
I bought my first 6mmPPC.

BAT action, Jewell 2oz trigger, Terry Leonard redwood carbon composite stock, Kreiger barrel (.262" neck).

After developing a load (28.2 gns N133, barts FBHP, I had a hard time measuring the seating depth off the lands that I ended up with) for San diego CA, 65 degrees 50% humidity, 500 altitude.

My first couple 25 shot aggs were .237" and .271".
Questions:
1. Is this common for performance?
2. The barrel has at least 1300 rounds on it. Is it time for another barrel?
3. Since I live in such consistent weather here in San Diego can I develop a load that I can load from at home and still be competitive.
4. I'd like a reamer that allowed me to leave my trim length to a minimum, any suggestions on a reamer print?

 

[artbosco]

I bought my first 6mmPPC. The barrel has at least 1300 rounds on it. Is it time for another barrel?

Tony Boyer, The Book of Rifle Accuracy, page 182: "A simple truth: when you fire the first shot thru your barrel, that barrel is on its way down hill. Barrel life cannot readily be predicted, or at least I have never been able to predict it. I have had barrels go from shooting groups in the ones to groups in the threes in as little as 300 rounds! I have also seen barrels shoot competitively with 2,000 rounds on them but that, is a rarity. Most barrels loose their competitive edge at less than 700 rounds."

If you intend to shoot the 6PPC competitively, you owe it to yourself to get a copy of his book. Here's one source: http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BSS&Product_Code=TBSC

 

[artbosco]

Since I live in such consistent weather here in San Diego can I develop a load that I can load from at home and still be competitive.

Benchrest Hall of Fame member Jim Borden thinks so: "I have my ammunition already loaded for [major matches]. It's working, both rifles are Agging in the 'low Ones', with a load of about 29.0gr N133, running about 3300 fps."

"Loading to conditions on match day can kill you. All you can do is go by memory and guess-timates. If your rifle has good vibration control, you'll typically have an accuracy window of 100-125 fps."

"I set preloads for velocity in the middle of the accuracy window which lets me shoot in any conditions. Studies by Jack Jackson convinced me we could let ammo sit for as long as a year and accuracy will hold."

 

[artbosco]

I'd like a reamer that allowed me to leave my trim length to a minimum, any suggestions on a reamer print?

First, watch this set of videos for trim length etc. by the latest HOF inductee Jack Neary: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7D85822FD9E41FF2

Then, get a hold of Dave Kiff at Pacific Tool and Gauge, he can suggest the proper reamer for your requirements and provide a copy of the print. His link: http://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/index.htm

 

[fdshuster]

mparsons911: As said above, difficult to predict. My Shilen 1-14 with a steady diet of 28 grs. of N133 & the 68 gr. Bergers had to be replaced at 2410 documented rds. fired. Actually, it was set-back & re-chambered, and is shooting as it was when new. My friends 6ppc has just had to be replaced at 1650 rds. fired. It too started slinging uncalled flyers. That's one of the first indications: only a very few at first, then more and more. It will become vary obvious when it's time for a change.

 

[Klong]

For me, after the first one!