barrel life 243

[foxing243]

Hi guys , I think I've been reading to much on the barrel life of 243 and have been quite p****d off with what I've seen regarding the life .

Is it true or just people being stupid ?
Apparently a barrel life of a 243 is 1000-1500 rounds !?

Surely it can't be right for the fox shooter ? As it's not excessive shooting .

It sounds more correct for serious target shooters I guess , round after round with high heat temperatures Etc.

I only use for zeroing when needed and used on the foxes .
My browning xbolt stainless fluted has had 500 rounds through so far .

Cleaned after each use since new

Lookin forward to your replies guys

Cheers

 

[hedditch]

Here is my opinion: your barrel isn't wore out until it quits shooting the size of group you want it to shoot. For fox hunting I am going to assume you don't need a barrel that continues to shoot 1/2 in groups at 100 yds. My barrel has close to 3000 rds through it and it struggles for 1/2 inch groups. I use it to shoot paper with a group of good shooters so I am near a barrel change to stay competitive. For what you're doing, your barrel life should be greater than 1000-1500 rds.
Dave

 

[comagutsa]

no a 243 barrel will stay under moa for nearly 3000 rounds but for target duties it will only last about 1000 rounds..eg mine was shooting under .2 inch at 100m but after 1000 rounds of target duty it was doing .8inch at 100m which wasnt good enough for my 500m fly shoots, but that barrel is now my hunting barrel and will last another 1000-2000 more before i toss it ..

 

[mikecr]

Apparently a barrel life of a 243 is 1000-1500 rounds?

This is 'ACCURATE' barrel life, and it's true(unless your bore was melonite treated).

So far you have 'struggling at 1/2moa', and 'under moa' implied as accurate enough for hunting.
But for many who would answer the barrel life question, both conditions are well past accurate barrel life.
Also, 243win is a deer cartridge. It's not a popular varmint cartridge, barrel life being just one of the reasons.

I'm a groundhog hunter and struggling for 1/2moa wouldn't get it for my killzone at distance. I'm talking accuracy here(not grouping).
A barrel can leave 1/2moa hot grouping behind(or never reach it) and still be very accurate in cold bore accuracy. Maybe,, or just opposite.
I've seen both situations.

 

[Webster]

I had a 6mm Rem that had about 7000 rounds fired, it would still shoot a little under 1 inch. I sectioned the barrel there was very little rifling for at least 4 inches. It still shot good enough to kill GH out to 300 yrds. I assume the bolt face is the same diameter as a 308. When the barrel is shot out get a custom 6BR Norma barrel for about $500. Don't shoot hot loads it will last longer. Like others said the barrel is worn out only when it's not accurate enough for it's intended use.

 

[jds holler]

If you're using .243 for foxes, you must not be saving pelts. jd

 

[dmoran]

If you're using .243 for foxes, you must not be saving pelts. jd

Pelt saving is in the bullet choice, not the caliber......

 

[dkhunt14]

If you're using .243 for foxes, you must not be saving pelts. jd

Pelt saving is in the bullet choice, not the caliber......

+1 Speer even has a solid. Matt

 

[Iowa Fox]

Just shooting fox in the UK, chances are your 243 will last you a lifetime. Here in the US I have shot 500 rounds in 2 to 2 1/2 days from my 243.

 

[jds holler]

If you're using .243 for foxes, you must not be saving pelts. jd

Pelt saving is in the bullet choice, not the caliber......

I've exploded coyotes pretty bad with Hornady full jacket .243's. Haven't tried other brands. I've come to believe that the bullet doesn't have to explode for the coyote to explode. jd