Switching barrels and load development?

[lcx99321]

I am wanting to build a trainer rifle and a hunting rifle. To save some money, I wonder if I can order two barrels, and only put the hunting barrel on as needed. I know there might be a chance of headspace changing, will it affect load development? For example, I developed a load for my hunting barrel, and when I put it back, do I have to develop a new load for it? I assume changing headspace can change the case volume? and as a result change the internal ballistic? Anybody have experience with this? or am I overthinking? Thanks in advance!

 

[Clancy]

No. Way overthinking it. You can take it on and off every day, won’t hurt a thing. Just ask how many ft lbs the smith used if you’re that worried, but even that doesn’t matter as long as it’s tight.

 

[choprzrul]

SWITCHLUG – West Texas Ordnance, Inc. | Custom Rifles & Accessories

westtexordnance.com

 

[prone.life]

no need to develop new load. headspace shouldn't change unless you're using a barrel nut. make sure excess anti-seize doesn't get between the action and the tenon. consistently torque to your preferred ft-lbs, i use 75.

 

[Webster]

I am wanting to build a trainer rifle and a hunting rifle. To save some money, I wonder if I can order two barrels, and only put the hunting barrel on as needed. I know there might be a chance of headspace changing, will it affect load development? For example, I developed a load for my hunting barrel, and when I put it back, do I have to develop a new load for it? I assume changing headspace can change the case volume? and as a result change the internal ballistic? Anybody have experience with this? or am I overthinking? Thanks in advance!

What are you going to hunt. One barrel 30BR maybe twist for 130 gr bullets. You should never wear out the barrel.

 

[DaveTooley]

Changing barrels is about as complicated as changing a light bulb. HS will not change over the life of the barrels. When the shoulders come together HS becomes static. Have brass dedicated to each barrel. No need to develop new loads. I have one hunting rifle (magnum) that has three barrels. 7mm and 338 based on the 8X68S case and a 300 PRC.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Changing barrels is about as complicated as changing a light bulb. HS will not change over the life of the barrels. When the shoulders come together HS becomes static. Have brass dedicated to each barrel. No need to develop new loads. I have one hunting rifle (magnum) that has three barrels. 7mm and 338 based on the 8X68S case and a 300 PRC.

^^^^^^^^^

 

[jackieschmidt]

Changing barrels is about as complicated as changing a light bulb. HS will not change over the life of the barrels. When the shoulders come together HS becomes static. Have brass dedicated to each barrel. No need to develop new loads. I have one hunting rifle (magnum) that has three barrels. 7mm and 338 based on the 8X68S case and a 300 PRC.

^^^^^^^^ x2

 

[CF Junkie]

I just changed barrels on two different rifles.
The only issue was having to reset and zero the scope on each action after the barrels were changed and then measuring the chamber for the new barrel with a large number of bullets that I reload with. Changing from a well used barrel with an eroded chamber to a new barrel with a fresh chamber will probably require you to rethink the seating depth, jump, and powder loads you are preparing. Both or my old barrels were well used and had chambers that had eroded over 0.100 inches from new. Both still shot accurately, but I was concerned that seating out bullets to control jump was beginning to get close to causing inconsistent neck tension on my reloads

Once you know both barrel's characteristics, and you should if you know the chamber's length and preferences for each of your barrels being reused, you can load for whatever each barrel shoots most accurately for your use.
Chamber wear really only shows up with heavy use.
You will still be faced with re-zeroing your scope after you remount it, but it shouldn't be far off the setting for the other barrel unless you changed something in the mountings.