Hi guys just wanted to run this logic past you guys. I was set on a 6.5x55 however a nice used rifle in 6.5-284 has come up with very little use. I realize these are considered barrel burners but here me out. I went to the nosler load data and as an example using Reloader 22 that max recommended load for the 6.5x55 is 46.5g with 140-142g projectiles for a speed of around 2740fps. The nosler load data for the 6.5-284 again using Reloader 22 run at the minimum reccomended load data of 48.5g for 140-142g gives a speed of around 2670fps I think it said. So I think that if you ran them like this the extra 2g of powder would not result in significantly more barrel wear than running the 6.5x55 at max would I be correct in this logic or is there something else that comes into play here that I don't know about? I'm thinking of getting it and running at min load to ensure reasonable barrel life thoughts on this?
A twist on barrel life
- Thread starter Pigdog
- Start date
I think shoulder angle and neck length have a lot to do with barrel wear. Look up turbulence pressure or TP point. Also a lot of times a cartridge shoots best at max or near max charges. I believe a fuller case of powder and pressure has a lot to do with that. Higher pressure and the powder burns cleaner. It depends on how much accuracy you are looking for and how far you want to shoot. Matt
All this.....and I would also add that the way you shoot the rifle can have a big impact on barrel life. What Matt is saying here are the things you cant really get away from...how fast you put rounds down the pipe and the ambient temperature are some of the things that you can.
The additional wild card is powder, some like H1000 burn cooler, which lends to longer barrel life. Short necks on the case expose the throat to more heat. Steeper shoulder angle tends to keep the fire in the case.
If you use H1000 and do not run the barrel hot or near max, you should expect reasonable life. There is an excel sheet that can give a reasonable expectation on this site.
You don't say whether this is a hunting rifle or a competition rifle. It makes a difference, especially in the way you shoot each one. We all assume it's a competition rifle, though.
I use the understanding that the shoulder angle and neck length contribute to a longer barrel life, as stated above. I also support using a cooler burning powder when the opportunity presents itself. The 35-degree shoulder on the 6.5-285 makes for a great combination with cooler, often slower burning powder as far as efficiency is concerned. But that slightly shorter neck can irritate me a tiny bit. I have pushed the shoulder back and then used it in a custom chamber but the gains are minimum in my opinion.
H-1000 is too slow to get nearly enough in the case to be an advantage. However, you can use VVN-165 or VVN-160 to get a leg up on the cooler burning powders. I have found that Ramshot Magnum is a great compromise with velocity and a cooler burning powder. The newer Re-23 is nearly perfect though in again, my opinion. I want to work with a full case if at all possible and these three powders provide that ability. These suggestions are based on the 130 VLD bullets but the 140-grain bullets should use the same powders just in smaller amounts.
I also support this attitude as well. I know, it approaches $600.00 per new barrel installed but trying to baby a barrel just to extend the life and NOT get the performance you want and need to achieve satisfaction is in itself a delusion.
Best of luck with your decisions!
That's like running a supercharger @4psi instead of 8-10psi. Ain't nobody got time for that!
Over the last 30 years that I've been shooting the 6.5/284, I've shot out several barrels. Average life 1200 rounds. Shortest was 900 and one that was carefully and purposely shot, slow, is still going strong at 1500 rounds. It's all in how fast you shoot and how long it cools. I shot the Swede too, and the 260 Improved. Not much difference between them all. Shoot and enjoy the superior benefits, and just buy another barrel when it becomes uninteresting.
It sounds like we use our guns in much the same way. I work my loads up from the listed starting loads to where I get the best accuracy. That usually falls between 95 and 97% of maximum listed loads. I shoot more paper than animals but they (my rifles) are used for both.
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