Barrel burnout due to velocity?

[deerslayer]

Is it safe to say barrels will burn out sooner if high velocity rounds are fired through it. For example, 243win- 100gr bullet = 2900fps, 55gr =3900.
Is there some kind of formula to calculate barrel wear due to the velocity of the bullet, and are some calibers more prone to burn out quicker? If a person only fired 55gr in his 243win would the barrel life be shortened than if only 100gr used?

 

[Dogleg]

Velocity, all by itself doesn't wear out barrels, the higher powder charges associated with the faster cartridges does. Barrels wear out from the chamber end, where the flame is hottest and erosion and pressure is highest. This is also the point where velocity is the lowest.

 

[tootall]

Good call.

 

[Cappy]

You'll also find that cartridges that are "overbore" will wear out barrels fast. ie: wildcats like .257WSM or 22-243's. My uderstanding is it has to do with the heat from a large capacity case becoming focused into a smaller area.

 

[p-17]

Sierra has a formula in their manual. The upshot is that in any given cartridge, more powder burning at a hotter temperature will burn out a barrel faster (i.e., a full .30-06 case loaded with IMR 4350 will burn a barrel out faster than a load with Varget which gives similar velocity, but only burns 75% as much powder by weight).

 

[mihasic]

Sierra has a formula in their manual. The upshot is that in any given cartridge, more powder burning at a hotter temperature will burn out a barrel faster (i.e., a full .30-06 case loaded with IMR 4350 will burn a barrel out faster than a load with Varget which gives similar velocity, but only burns 75% as much powder by weight).

Could you reproduce the formula please?