243, barrel wear- What ammo

[Eagleye]

Sounds about right to me.

I also have a barrel life calculator and factors are - bore diameter, powder charge, powder heat potential and pressure. So here are two estimates using 85gr TSX bullets:

IMR 4064, 36gr, 56,700psi = 2116 rounds (velocity is given as 3112fps)
H4350, 40.5gr, 57,300psi = 1439 rounds (velocity is given as 3140fps)

That is a pretty big difference in estimated barrel life. H4350 requires a larger charge, operates at higher peak pressure and has a powder heat potential of 3990 KJ/Kg vs 3880 KJ/Kg for IMR4064.

Keep in mind that I haven't run these tests side by side in real life: I downloaded the calculator from 6mmBR and the folks there seem to know what they are talking about. And, interestingly, the calculator using IMR 4064 is pretty close to Eagleye's real world experience.

Also interesting might be the fact that these two rifles seldom shot any bullets heavier than 80 grains.
I used a lot of IMR 4064, H4895 and W760 to chase mostly 70 and 75 grain varmint bullets fast.

In the Remington, I had a load that just made 3600 with the 70 grain McCracken HPFB.

Dramatic results on Columbian Ground Squirrels or "gophers" lol.

Regards, Eagleye.

 

[sobo4303]

Y'know, I approach barrel life to actual usage. I have had some range time with my 243 and of course, plenty of hunting - but I do not shoot out a box of ammo each outing. Yet, I have only reloaded an entire box of 50 twice and about one box of factory. Had 40 of a different load from a previous rifle so that would make it about 150 rounds in three years. At about 50 rounds a year and using a barrel life of about 2,000 rounds as a benchmark, mathematically, the barrel should be worn out in about 40 years - give or take. I would be 90 years old by then and long past caring.

It's only a relative perspective - but in the end, kinda useless to worry about. Right?

 

[1899]

Y'know, I approach barrel life to actual usage. I have had some range time with my 243 and of course, plenty of hunting - but I do not shoot out a box of ammo each outing. Yet, I have only reloaded an entire box of 50 twice and about one box of factory. Had 40 of a different load from a previous rifle so that would make it about 150 rounds in three years. At about 50 rounds a year and using a barrel life of about 2,000 rounds as a benchmark, mathematically, the barrel should be worn out in about 40 years - give or take. I would be 90 years old by then and long past caring.

It's only a relative perspective - but in the end, kinda useless to worry about. Right?

I shoot +200 rounds per year out of my main hunting rifle. I used to shoot even more, but due to other commitments I had cut back in the past few years. Now that I am back in a more remote area, I can see myself shooting well over that amount per year.

 

[hometownhero]

Y'know, I approach barrel life to actual usage. I have had some range time with my 243 and of course, plenty of hunting - but I do not shoot out a box of ammo each outing. Yet, I have only reloaded an entire box of 50 twice and about one box of factory. Had 40 of a different load from a previous rifle so that would make it about 150 rounds in three years. At about 50 rounds a year and using a barrel life of about 2,000 rounds as a benchmark, mathematically, the barrel should be worn out in about 40 years - give or take. I would be 90 years old by then and long past caring.

It's only a relative perspective - but in the end, kinda useless to worry about. Right?

Thats not alot of shooting. I had 150 rounds down the pipe of my new 30-06 in around a month or 2

 

[cam1936]

You could go shooting every day with that thing and not wear it out for 10 years. With proper cleaning of course.

Maybe if you shoot 1 round a day.

The .243 is moderatly overbore. According to a benchrest barrel life calculator your good for 1600 rounds before any slight loss of accuracy in a benchrest rig. Rule of thumb is to double that number before you notice any loss in a factory rifle and triple the original number before you might replace the barrel. Of course it's just a prediction.

Shooting every day for 1 year I would have 10 000+ rounds gone. If you've ever seen a barrel after 10 000 of a moderately overbore cartridge, well it ain't pretty.

 

[sobo4303]

I shoot +200 rounds per year out of my main hunting rifle. I used to shoot even more, but due to other commitments I had cut back in the past few years. Now that I am back in a more remote area, I can see myself shooting well over that amount per year.

Absolutely - so your 200 per year is about 10 years give or take. For plinking and general shooting, I am a perpetual cheapskate, so I don't use up lotsa powder to waste on popcans - that's what 223's, 22's and 17 hmr's are for. I am not always successful when I hunt coyotes (what my 243 is used for) so I don't shoot off the rounds if i don't see anything.

In your case, you shoot a lot more than I, so when the barrel in your rifle is shot out, would you replace it with a new toy or re-barrel? Keeping in mind that other parts are likely worn too. It may be your most favorite action, so you might choose to re-barrel after all. As for me - me, Daddy would be buying a new toy - the latest and with that "new gun smell"!

My point is that in the overall scheme of things, worrying about barrel burnout at the purchase stage is not something to stress over as it is really a minor point. If you like a caliber, buy it, shoot it, and have fun!

 

[1899]

I will rebarrel. The reason I "plink" with my "large" bore is because I want to be 100% comfortable and confident in my abilities when I have an opportunity while hunting. In my opinion there is nothing that can replace trigger time with the rifle/loads you will be using while hunting.

You are correct, in the overall scheme of things it may not be a big deal - especially for the average hunter.

 

[AlexF]

If you reload at "target load" levels (100fps below MAX PSI velocity), you should get between 1500-1800 rounds before accuracy fall off and you start to get flyers.
My Remington 700 243 Win VTR shot 1/2-3/4 MOA 5 shot groups up until 1600 rounds fired and then opened up to 3/4-1 MOA 5 shot groups.
By that time, the barrel's throat had eroded by 0.150-0.160", simply put 100 rounds = 0.010" of throat erosion which typical for 243 Win.

My favorite powders were:

• Varget for 70 and 80gr varmint bullets
• H4350 for 85gr and above with a short barrel
• H4831 is accurate with heavy 6mm bullets but too loud from a short barrel

Alex

 

[Rubicon37s]

Great info everyone,

I am still wondering what factory ammo i should use for target shooting taking barrl life and accuracy into consideration
.

Thanks

 

[BASG]

I've settled on 70 grainers, they shoot the best, that's all I care about

 

[1899]

Great info everyone,

I am still wondering what factory ammo i should use for target shooting taking barrl life and accuracy into consideration
.

Thanks

You won't know regarding barrel life because you won't know the pressure, powder or powder charge used in factory ammo. Just use whatever shoots best in your rifle.