Barrel life for an FTR rifle.

Dogleg

Dogleg

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I realize that it might be hard to pin down, but what would be a good ball park round count estimation of competitive barrel life for a hot loaded .308 FTR rifle? Or a more moderately loaded one. Or to look at it another way, how high of a count would you even consider starting a season with, or attending a big match?

Keeping a spare blank around isn't a problem, and having it chambered already not much more.
 
5000 rounds is common. TR guys sometimes change out around 3000 shooting 155. I have a friend who burned out a 308 in 2500 rounds it just went away during a match. I run 2 barrels 1 for lesser matches which is just an old good barrel. It's a bit of a pain but better than spending all that money on a match and having an issue at a big event.
 
A guy once told me that barrels are good for a little over 2 seconds. I guess if you did the math....
I usually run about 3500-4000 shooting TR with 155's but our bull is around 2MOA. F/TR is a little more demanding with a 1 MOA bull and 1/2 MOA V Bull.
 
That all depends on how good it still shoots. And how competative you want to be.
This year I shot my FTR about 1700 rounds, I will have a new barrel chambered and ready to go when it washes out. I am shooting heavy bullets, not pushing them super hard.
A friend of mine from down south and who is a really good shooter struggled this summer with his 308. Top notch stuff barrel had about 1300 rounds down it and was not shooting good for him. Built a new gun and he was back on his game. He couldnt believe it went bad that quick. After he got his new one I scored for him a few times and watched him shoot clean.

His previous barrels were usually screwed off at 3000 rounds plus or minus and he said had never given up on him. He had even screwed a few of them back on to try again.

Next one I build will likely be on open gun and I will buy barrels in pairs.



Dogleg said:
I realize that it might be hard to pin down, but what would be a good ball park round count estimation of competitive barrel life for a hot loaded .308 FTR rifle? Or a more moderately loaded one. Or to look at it another way, how high of a count would you even consider starting a season with, or attending a big match?

Keeping a spare blank around isn't a problem, and having it chambered already not much more.
Click to expand...
 
In between 3500 to 7000 rounds depending on the barrel, and how good a shot you are. My last 6 Dasher barrel lasted 4500 rounds and it still won gold medals, while some guys were swapping them out at 2500.
 
I would expect 2500 out of a blue barrel and 5,000 out of a stainless. After that, I would not take it to a major match.

If the barrel has a long shank, you can cut 2" off the end, and re-chamber it. As good as new.
 
I use to talk to a guy at my club that shot a lot of High pressure rounds in a heavy match rifle. (308) One day he said the first 6 inches of his barrel had no riflilng .... shot out .(or burnt out = hot gas)
Never looked but had no reason to think other wise.
 
Ganderite said:
I would expect 2500 out of a blue barrel and 5,000 out of a stainless. After that, I would not take it to a major match.

If the barrel has a long shank, you can cut 2" off the end, and re-chamber it. As good as new.
Click to expand...

My barrel shank is 5" and length is 32", so that is a possibility. As it stands its shooting great at 2100 rounds and I do have a spare blank of the same make and contour standing by.

I'm more used to cartridges where barrels are passing aquaintance.
 
Dogleg said:
I realize that it might be hard to pin down, but what would be a good ball park round count estimation of competitive barrel life for a hot loaded .308 FTR rifle? Or a more moderately loaded one. Or to look at it another way, how high of a count would you even consider starting a season with, or attending a big match?

Keeping a spare blank around isn't a problem, and having it chambered already not much more.
Click to expand...

I will start with a qualifier competitive in what sense top half, top ten, equipment to take you to the top spot standing on a podium looking down on the rest of us.
Big Match: PRA finals, Easterns or Western Championships, August DCRA F class Nationals, FCWC worlds.

short answer 3,000 rd avg.
F Class has 1/2 moa V Bull your accuracy requirements are 1/3moa or better; 1moa Bull puts you mid pack or below
Scores from 2017 FCWC in Ottawa 1st 473-36 2nd 473-31...World Champion won on V count, not points. It is a fun but competitive sport; everyone wants to ring out every last point from their rifle system which typically means changing out barrels well before it practical life is over but where they have noticed an increase in vertical which is costing them points.

As an FYI the next chance to be world champion is in 3 years 2021.

canwinn17003.png


All the best
Trevor

addendum

Look at it on a percentage basis.
Regardless of round count the best shooters win matches by shooting scores at 94% or higher (depending on conditions). If your rifle and you are capable of shooting at that level the entire match, it wouldn't matter whether your barrel had 3,000, 5,000 or 9,000 rds you will give your self a chance to win every time.
 
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