Barrel Life Question

[amlevin]

I know this question will be like asking "How long is a piece of string" or "how blue is the sky" but here goes anyway.

What is a reasonable life expectancy from a 24" .308 barrel using loads that are near, but not exceeding SAAMI max.

What would be normally expected from a "Cut Rifling" Barrel vs a "Hammered Rifling" barrel.

For the sake of discussion lets use the assumption that the barrel isn't being overheated and is cleaned regularly using all possible care to avoid damage to the bore.

All information is welcome.

 

[fdshuster]

About 14 years ago, Kevin Thomas, then with Sierra Bullets did an exhaustive, very controlled test involving 4 or 5 different barrels, all chambered in 308. Article appreared in "Precision Shooting", titled " Meanwhile, 17224 rounds later", Sept. 1998 issue.

At around 3900 documented rounds fired, they all began to throw an occassional uncalled shot, got progressively worse, and by 4100 they were all scrap.