How many rounds will a .243 barrellast

[Jimmyp]

How many rounds before teh barrl is not accurate

 

[cliffy]

Velocity would be the key here. My .223 Rem barrel is still super-accurate after 3000 rounds, and my .243 Winch barrel is still dead-on after 1500 rounds. I shoot only fast loads, so I can't tell you when enough is too much. cliffy

 

[HPMike800]

The biggest factor in barrel life for a given cartridge is it's use. For Highpower competition, the rule of thumb is about 1500 rounds. The life of a lightly used sporter rifle could be easily be double that. Maybe tripple.

 

[CPorter]

It depends on several factors. 1st is your definition of accurate. If its minute of deer,8 inches at 100 yards) then it will last longer than you provided you take care of it. If you want 3/8 MOA then somewhere between 1500 and 2500 on average. High pressure, high velocity loads erode barrels faster than lower ones. My last barrel,,Rem factory) had 2500 rounds through it before I thought accuracy,3/8-1/2 MOA) was gone and the new barrel, in stainless, looks to runs past 3,000. I'm shooting 70 grainers at 3367 and 80 grainers around 3123 fps.

 

[cliffy]

I consider my .243 Winchester barrel merely broken-in after 3000 rounds. The rest may be downhill, but I've seen no signs of this thus far. The grooves are tight; the lands are groovey; the accuracy remains dependable regarding 1 M.O.A. accuracy. I clean after every outing, so color me stupid, or color me smart. What works, works. I'm not opposed to purchasing another barrel, yet I see no current need to do so. Cliffy

 

[Rustystud]

There are many levels of accuracy.

The hunting rifle may only require 1.moa and if it starts out with premium barrel that shoots sub .25moa it may last 3000 rounds if not shot hot.

The Long Range prone rifle needs to shoot sub .5 moa and I say that by saying 10 shot sub .5moa groups. It has been my experience with shooters who shoot strings of 20-25 rounds in 22 minutes or less the barrel life quickly goes away after 900-1200 rounds to totally unexceptable at about 1400-1600 rounds.

The BR shoot woud require a rifle that will consistantly shoot 5 shot groups in the low .2 and teens. BR shooters tent to shoot 5 shot groups in a minute or less. again barrel heat is a factor. Many BR shooters recrown frequently and set back before barrel damage gets on that slipery slope of destruction.

Most shooters will have a rifle that will shoot a tight group then a flier. There can be many factors. when a barrels is going south the whgole group will grow.

Nat Lambeth

 

[Jimmyp]

do you reckon a .257 robrsts barel would last longer?

 

[cliffy]

A barrel must be shot in, before it can be shot out. cliffy

 

[cliffy]

JimmyP, takes a lot to shoot out a barrel with new technology barrels. Cleaning helps a barrel last a long time. Laziness on the cleaning end of the shooting process will take its toll. I dropped a one-inch pattern at a 100 yards today with 76 degree Fahrenheit, 55 percent humidity. I'm more worn out than my rifle. cliffy