A .243 with 1500-2000 rnds

[Markus]

Easiest way to keep track i found was cases of primers . For a lot of years i only used 1 brand in my .243 when the case was empty rip the end off and into the drawer it goes and out comes another case .

This is what I do as well with my target rifles. I also keep the empty powder containers for some.


Before I did this I had a Remington 700 VLS in 243. I estimated that it had around 2000 rounds through it when accuracy fell off to MOA plus. I had the barrel replaced and then I split the old 243 barrel to have a look at the bore. For the first 14 inches in front of the chamber I could tell where the rifling was but I could barely, and I do mean barely, feel it. It had eroded away. For those that are interested my load had been 70 grain nosler ballistic tip over a nosler book max of Varget.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I have a Rem 700, 6mm Remington that I have owned since I was a kid. It has put almost 300 big game animals in my freezer and earned me a pile of cash back when fox and coyotes had value. I lost track of the rounds down the pipe but it is has at least 2000-2500 down range. I never once took more than 5 successive shots ever to prevent overheating and excessive wear. It still shoots a tight cloverleaf at 100 metres.

 

[Eagleye]

I have never owned a 243 long enough to evaluate barrel life, but I have owned a substantial number of 6mm Remingtons.
Barrel life was always acceptable in my opinion. I washed out at least 3 barrels, and I keep meticulous records of shots
fired by any 22 through 6.5mm rifle I use to shoot varmints with.

Worst barrel was a factory Remington "Classic" which started to show deterioration of accuracy at 2800 rounds. It had been
a ¾ moa rifle all along, and now was starting to show moa groups more frequently. I seated the 95 grain BT out longer, and regained
the accuracy for another 450 rounds, but the rounds would not fit the magazine seated out. .

This rifle was never shot till the barrel was piping hot, and was cleaned on a regular regimen. When I rebarrelled, roughly 4" of rifling
at the throat was completely gone, and the metal there was full of tiny cracks [firecracking]

My 700 HB Remington did not show any degrading of accuracy until 3300 rounds. Same story....seating out gave up close to 500 more
accurate rounds, then it was done. This rifle was used with mostly 70/75 grain bullets driven reasonably hard. Lots of H414/W760 burned.

So, barrel life is somewhat varied due to several factors: How "hot" was it shot? Was it ever cleaned properly? How hot were the loads fired
through it? Minor factors include barrel material and shoulder design/neck length of the case. Dave.

 

[Eagleye]

While we are on "barrel life", I would like to share some other personal experiences with this subject. The 220 Swift has long been accused of being very
tough on barrels. I bought a brand new Ruger M77V [tang safety] in 1980. It turned out to be one of those rifles we all wish for. It would shoot the 52
grain Sierra in ¼ moa consistently. 39.5 grains of IMR 4064 gave that bullet 4040 fps average, so no slouch. I also shot the 55 grain Sierra with 39 grains of
H380, for 3900 and pennies.

This rifle won many turkeys at our local club, not only in my hands, but with others shooting it. I noticed a slight accuracy degrading at 2950 rounds, but still
it would stay at ½ moa with the bullet seated out a bit. It accounted for literally hundreds of crows and magpies, some as far out as 400 yards. I took it out
to Eckville, Alberta to a friends farm and shot gophers for 3 days.

Finally had to rebarrel at close to 3700 rounds, as I could no longer maintain moa. Again, avoiding shooting until the barrel was hot and good maintenance I believe
was the key to good barrel life in this rifle. [keep in mind, this had a C-M barrel, not SS]

Finally, my 6.5x55 experience: I have a 700 Classic so chambered. It is now on its 3rd barrel, but the history is somewhat spotted. The original Remington barrel was
a bit fussy, but shot the 129 and 140 Hornady well, and also the 125/140 Partitions. It took me just over 4500 rounds to wash out that tube to the point that I could
no longer trust it to stay under 1½ moa.

I rebarrelled with a 5-groove Pac-Nor SS tube. It shot everything very well, but I was a bit surprised when accuracy started to degrade at less than 3500 rounds. About then
I had access to a bore scope, so took a look. I was taken aback to see no rifling for 5" up from the throat. Have no idea why this one went south so soon. This rifle now wears
a Match grade Shilen, and shoots "lights out" It has only 350 rounds through it, so a ways to go, I'm sure.

One more I managed to wash out the throat in was an early Remington 700 chambered in 264 Win Mag [24" factory SS barrel in those] 140 Partitions at 3175 fps was the only
bullet/load I hunted with, but practiced with the 140 Speer FBSP. This rifle was very accurate with a stiff load of H5010 behind those 140s. Accuracy degradation became evident at just over 2600 rounds, and went south rather quickly. I just went ahead and screwed on a 26" SS Hart, which shot incredibly well. This rifle has gone to a new home. Dave.

 

[prairie lover]

the 243 of mine that i referred to above, that lasted 1300 rounds, was my long range steel plinking gun. also did a couple trips into a gopher pasture. it was shot till very hot then cooled off somewhat then giver again. it had a hard life.....

 

[Eagleye]

the 243 of mine that i referred to above, that lasted 1300 rounds, was my long range steel plinking gun. also did a couple trips into a gopher pasture. it was shot till very hot then cooled off somewhat then giver again. it had a hard life.....

I had an acquaintance that managed to "toast" a 6.5x300 Weatherby [before it became a factory offering] barrel in 350 rounds.
He shot it so hot that water would sizzle on it. I think there is a lesson right there. Dave.