The barrel is one of the cheaper components

[dakor]

Well this is probably going to really stir the pot but I keep reading posts that you cant use this cartridge because its hard on barrels you can only use these. Smith's cost too much and barrels are too expensive.

Yes I understand it is not just about barrel price there is some inconvenience in bringing your rifle to a smith but I decided to do some math and I think some will be very surprised.

To keep things equal we are going to use todays pricing.

High end match grade barrel thats chambered and installed we will say $900.

Now we are going to pick on the 284 win since lots use it.

55gr of powder at todays $75 a pound. We will round it up to 59 cents per shot. I am being nice if I used R-26 price per pound it would be 4 to 5 times that per shot.

180 Berger Hybrid we will say 80 bucks a 100 with tax and shipping. That 80 cents a bullet.

Federal 210 match primer we will say $120 per 1000 so thats 12 cents a piece.

I am going to be nice and not even include the price of brass. Most guys I know that shoot comp have a minimum of 500 cases per rifle.

Now if my math is right one round without the cost of brass is 1.51 per shot.

Guys say they get 2800 rounds down the 284 win before the barrel is toast so we will go with that.

Thats $4,228 dollars without the cost of brass.

Dont worry I wont tell your wives but I think we can agree the cost of a chambered barrel should not cause the heart failure it does after seeing that price breakdown.

 

[ev780]

Add in some incidentals, and every trigger drop is around $2!

Probably more like $5!

 

[Rob01]

If you are still bringing a rifle to a smith then you are doing it wrong. lol Prefits are the way to go. Change it at home.

 

[DLT]

Well this is probably going to really stir the pot but I keep reading posts that you cant use this cartridge because its hard on barrels you can only use these. Smith's cost too much and barrels are too expensive.

Yes I understand it is not just about barrel price there is some inconvenience in bringing your rifle to a smith but I decided to do some math and I think some will be very surprised.

To keep things equal we are going to use todays pricing.

High end match grade barrel thats chambered and installed we will say $900.

Now we are going to pick on the 284 win since lots use it.

55gr of powder at todays $75 a pound. We will round it up to 59 cents per shot. I am being nice if I used R-26 price per pound it would be 4 to 5 times that per shot.

180 Berger Hybrid we will say 80 bucks a 100 with tax and shipping. That 80 cents a bullet.

Federal 210 match primer we will say $120 per 1000 so thats 12 cents a piece.

I am going to be nice and not even include the price of brass. Most guys I know that shoot comp have a minimum of 500 cases per rifle.

Now if my math is right one round without the cost of brass is 1.51 per shot.

Guys say they get 2800 rounds down the 284 win before the barrel is toast so we will go with that.

Thats $4,228 dollars without the cost of brass.

Dont worry I wont tell your wives but I think we can agree the cost of a chambered barrel should not cause the heart failure it does after seeing that price breakdown.

I have did the math too sometime last year. It’s scary the amount of money it cost to burn up 1 barrel

 

[dgeesaman]

Your numbers are fair but skewed because it’s a cartridge with high component cost and high barrel life.

Let’s take a 22BR for another example. Lower cost for components and low but not poor barrel life. Primers are .08/ each. bullets cost .35 each. Add in 30gr of powder at $60/lb it’s .30. Premium brass at $1.50each shot 10 times is .15 each. A $900 barrel good for 1000-1200 rounds (I’m being generous) mean that each shot costs $.75-.90worth of barrel and .88 per cartridge for brass, bullet, primer, and powder.

I’d say that barrel cost can be pretty significant.

 

[Fuj]

Don't forget the maintenance cost of said barrel during it's life.
Chemicals, (including beer during the cleanings) brushes, swabs,
patch's. and the like......It's only money.

 

[Mark W]

Even though gas prices are better now than they were, fuel to and from the range remains a big part of the expense.

 

[gpoldblue]

If you're into the shooting sports for economics.........you need to go do something else. Anything that involves shooting is expensive especially if you do it anywhere near on a regular basis.
You're vehicle is the most expensive and least used possesion you have....think about that as compared to shooting.

 

[Jayplace]

I don't think many shoot based on economic factors. For most, there is no logical reason to shoot, we do it because we want to.

The cost? It's the price of having fun.

 

[K22]

My view is and always has been that a firearm is a tool. You use tools for their intended purpose but don't abuse them. The latter means taking reasonable care of them but using them to the fullest extent of your desire and need.

Presumably one selects a high intensity cartridge for a specific purpose. So, it puzzles me why one would stress out about barrel wear. What are you saving it for by not shooting it?

For shooters like me that shoot a lot all year around, the barrel is a consumable. Mine last a long time because I spread my shooting over several rifles, shoot low intensity cartridges, and I mostly shoot "cold /cool barrel shots in range practice, not because I am worried about barrel wear, but because as an eastern varmint hunter and that is my "money" shot, and I want to simulate field conditions. The low intensity cartridges also meet my defined needs.

I will say, based on what I've seen at the range, few shooters have the skills to realize the benefits of high intensity cartridges. Their choice is more of an illusion of making a long range shot than reality.

 

[rockhound78]

Be glad you are not shooting the big 50cal. Primers , last I saw, were close to $1.15 EACH and match bullets starting at $2 each

 

[COLT45SA]

Every body has his own objectives, money in the pocket, and experiences, and that's how it should be. These views can certainly be of help to someone who find himself thinking about a new rifle or a new cartridge.
There is one more consideration nobody has mentioned that is beyond the cost of the brass and deeper into "can you find brass"~? If you're fortunate or unfortunate enough to own a custom built 6mm-PPC, where do you even find the brass~?? Lapua even quit making .220 Russian leaving those who formed their own cartridges SOL~! I've bought some seller claimed "once-fired" cartridges and found their dimensions to be all over the map including quite a few that were trimmed too short. It is a tedious task to re manufacture cartridges to conform to your custom built chamber.
My thinking today is if your looking for an accurate but not extremely competitive round, stick to having that custom rifle built for a .243 or cartridge that's proven itself for many years and whose brass is readily available, and avoid the "flavor of the week"..
Reloading can be a pass-time, a time consumer, or a PITA. At my age I've defaulted to the .22LR. Quite challenging and a whole lot of fun~! Just understand that this is my own personal view, and forgive me if I've offended anyone.

 

[joshb]

$900 is $900. I like to shoot and I don’t compete. I like to shoot cartridges that give a longer return on my investment. I also like less recoil, these days. Compare the costs of shooting a 338 Lapua to the costs of a 6 Br, 6.5 x 47 or 223.

 

[K22]

$900 is $900. I like to shoot and I don’t compete. I like to shoot cartridges that give a longer return on my investment. I also like less recoil, these days. Compare the costs of shooting a 338 Lapua to the costs of a 6 Br, 6.5 x 47 or 223.

Me too - I shoot a ton of 223 Rem bolt rifle and my beloved 243 Win on occasions. I get 280 reload out of a 1 lbs. can of power for 223's.

I do not end up with a black and blue shoulder after a range session or a new eyebrow from a scope impact recoil.

 

[joshb]

My view is and always has been that a firearm is a tool. You use tools for their intended purpose but don't abuse them. The latter means taking reasonable care of them but using them to the fullest extent of your desire and need.

Presumably one selects a high intensity cartridge for a specific purpose. So, it puzzles me why one would stress out about barrel wear. What are you saving it for by not shooting it?

For shooters like me that shoot a lot all year around, the barrel is a consumable. Mine last a long time because I spread my shooting over several rifles, shoot low intensity cartridges, and I mostly shoot "cold /cool barrel shots in range practice, not because I am worried about barrel wear, but because as an eastern varmint hunter and that is my "money" shot, and I want to simulate field conditions. The low intensity cartridges also meet my defined needs.

I will say, based on what I've seen at the range, few shooters have the skills to realize the benefits of high intensity cartridges. Their choice is more of an illusion of making a long range shot than reality.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Its not just the price of the barrel. Its the time and annoyance of starting over with load development and gathering data.

 

[powderbrake]

A hobby is a large hole in the back yard that you dump money into.
We do it because we enjoy it.

 

[dakor]

Your numbers are fair but skewed because it’s a cartridge with high component cost and high barrel life.

Let’s take a 22BR for another example. Lower cost for components and lowing but not poor barrel life. Primers are .08/ each. bullets cost .35 each. Add in 30gr of powder at $60/lb it’s .30. Premium brass at $1.50each shot 10 times is .15 each. A $900 barrel good for 1000-1200 rounds (I’m being generous) mean that each shot costs $.75-.90worth of barrel and .88 per cartridge for brass, bullet, primer, and powder.

I’d say that barrel cost can be pretty significant.

I think my numbers are right on in most situations. How many guys are running a 284 win in comp vs a 22 br?

I will use my own 6x45 (6mm-223). Average bullet 25 cents, 11 cents for 27gr of powder and we will go with your 8 cent primer. 44 cents per shot without the cost of brass.

These barrels will go 10,000 rounds or more even with hard use. We will use 10,000 rounds. Thats $4,400 without brass.

Last example. 22LR.

Friend of mine that shoots smallbore has one that has over 100, 000 rounds down the tube and still going strong.

So we will use 100,000 as the baseline. You could even cut it in half and it still would not matter.

Basic match ammo average is 19 cents a shot. $19,000

 

[ArtinNC]

(( The barrel is one of the cheaper components )) But the barrel only lasts a few seconds . LOL LOL

 

[Jayplace]

View attachment 1657537

When you have to start making payments on your brass, it might be time to re-think your shooting. REALLY - -- 4 payment of $37.49. It's a sign of the times.