How HOT is too HOT ???

[msr243ai]

For you BR guys that have really highend barrels can you tell me in your opinion how hot is too hot for a barrel ? Why do you think this ? Also, whats your guess on barrel life if one keeps shooting a hot barrel ? I know this will/might differ from chamber to chamber.This might get interesting. Thanks a lot.

 

[BoydAllen]

If you are referring to temperature, and short range center fire benchrest, barrel heat is generally not an issue with the weight of barrels and the time between matches, although some have used various schemes for cooling barrels between matches in hot weather, the simplest probably being a wet towel from an insulated chest of ice water. More elaborate coolers that feature recirculating pumps have also been used.
If by heat you are referring to the pressure level of loads, matches are won by both mild an hot loads, and serious competitors use what they find most accurate, regardless of barrel life. At the very top level of competition for shooters that shoot hot and clean aggressively, competitive barrel life may be as short as 800 rounds, at more average velocities, 1,200 or more. I have talked to shooters who have gotten a lot more. If a shooter that has national ambition finds that he has a barrel of exceptional accuracy, he may save it for the most important matches, shooting something less stellar for smaller local matches, depending on his budget.

 

[LCazador]

I assume you are referring to barrel temperature . I have shot out several 6mm barrels shooting various 6mm calibers . I use a bore scope and a laser thermometer to check barrel temp and erosion . I can definitely say that a barrel could be shot out in a weekend of prairie dog shooting 500-600 rounds without proper cooling . Through careful observation ,I've arrived at this rule of thumb waiting about a minute between shots : If you're burning 32-33 gr. powder (6BR and such ), you will have to stop shooting and let it cool after 20 rounds , that cooling period maybe as long as an hour depending on ambient temp . If you're burning 40-45g of powder ( 6X47 or similar ) , the maximum rounds you'll be able to shoot before cooling is about 15 , and if you're shooting 50-60 gr. of powder (6.5X284) you're now talking about 10 rounds . If you're talking about a big magnum burning 80g of powder that's a five shot max shooter . Notice I didn't distinguish as to powder burn rate . In my opinion it's the amount of powder you're burning not the type ( single base or double base) that affects barrel heat . High pressure is also a contributing factor in barrel erosion . I take enough rifles to keep shooting while others are cooling off .

 

[lmorrison17]

I only shoot 600yd IBS matches and I am of the opinion that barrels are like powder and bullets , to be used up. I will baby it only during practice or load testing. But on shoot day with funky conditions I shoot a lot of sighters as fast as I can. The Barrel gets HOT. WHen It dies I'll have to get a new one. I cant a afford to have a fleet of barrels on standby to choose from but I think it's a good idea to have spare ready before you think you'll need it in case mine dies in the middle of a season.
Larry

 

[Leaddog]

I had my barrel channel in my stock cut a bit larger than usual. I also have 3 vents cut on each side of my Master Class Prone stock. It really facilitates barrel cooling. I don't worry about shooting a fast string of fire.