Expected barrel life

[ShootDots]

@bfiles, I was told by Eric Cortina YEARS ago >>> Barrels are like tires on a drag race car! They are expendable and need changing often! I am in agreement with his analogy!

 

[FNSafari]

In my IBS score shooting experience, barrels can be competitive to around 3K up to 5 or 6K but the last two are not the rule. This also depends on the cleaning regimen and how careful one is with cleaning implements. In the end, an individual barrel will let you know via the targets you are shooting if it has lost its competitive edge. You just need to be looking and listening to what it is telling you.

 

[medicineman]

On the average, it takes about 12 lbs. of powder to render a barrel non-competitive.

 

[Forum Boss]

First, the barrel seeming "shot out" or not performing well anymore is sometimes just the result of damage to the crown, which often happens with careless, overly aggressive cleaning. Consider re-doing the crown before tossing your barrel.

Barrel heat is a huge factor in barrel life. If possible, let the barrel cool between strings.

Another factor we've seen is overly aggressive cleaning -- rapid back and forth with abrasives.
Yes, I know some of the best short-range benchrest competitors clean that way -- but many of those guys are tossing their barrels after 1000 rounds.

Initially, for the typical shooter who might do a local range match twice a month, I recommend:

1. Clean ASAP after the match using with wet patches (and minimal brushing), going in outward direction only (remove brush after it passes through the muzzle).

2. Apply Wipe-Out Foam, wait 15-20 minutes and apply a second time, then plug muzzle and chamber.

Finish cleaning after returning home and waiting a couple hours.

Using this method you can probably reduce your cleaning time by 50% or more and I believe you may see significantly extended barrel life.

Warning -- If you cannot elevate the buttstock side (above the muzzle end) during transport make sure you have a really, really good plug in the chamber. You don't want to get liquid solvents inside your action and trigger.

I transport my rifle in an airglide case which elevates the action above the muzzle — so liquid bore cleaners move away from the chamber. I wish the airglide was still available.