Do barrels slow down after awhile?

[Jerry Snyder]

I agree with this ................. Oh ! and order a new barrel. You will need it sooner or later

The exact replacement barrel is in my safe, waiting for the day I send it to my Gunsmith in Texas.

 

[JFrank]

I did open a new jug of Varget, different lot number. Could this be the reason.? Thanks

Could very well be the reason, if it’s still competitive why worry about speed ?

 

[Longtrain]

Having had several Dasher barrels, my current one is about the same age, 1700 rounds, and my velocity has dropped too. As the boiler room gets larger the pressures drop a bit, hence the velocity. But, it still hammers, they can get a bit ugly inside and still shoot. I usually retire mine around 2500 rounds once copper fouling increases.

 

[6.5 forever]

As long as the accuracy is still there, just change the charge to match the new lot of powder.

Sound advice!

 

[ELR LVR]

I have a 26 inch Bartlein 6 Dasher 1 in 7 1/2 inch twist. I have about 1700 rounds down the tube. My typical load is 31.8 Varget, 5 off the lands.

This load used to produce 2880ish, but now shoots 2830. I did open a new jug of Varget, different lot number. Could this be the reason.? Thanks

Yes they will loose velocity after awhile,
Which is one reason why we keep track of round count
If it has lost velocity after 1700 rounds
Nothing you can do about it, the barrel is simply getting worn
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If it looses velocity after only 300 rounds, then there is something wrong which needs addressed
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What I notice in my SS barrels is the lands begin to decrease in height
If the lands have worn likely the grooves have worn too
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I have not looked past this nor experimented if it is the reduced land height that has caused less resistance in the bullet moving down the tube, but I imagine its is a contributor.
Less resistance = Less Pressure
If it still shoots well, Usually this is when you just bump the load up to regain lost velocity.
Once the lands will no longer spin a cleaning rod (Smooth Bore) you're done
Get a new barrel. (probably before that though )