Barrel life

[Papaclaude]

How much barrel life (ballpark) can i expect out of a .308 barrel? I'm using moderate loads and 168 gr. match kings. I just want to have an idea of when to start saving up for a re-barrel.(It's a Rem 700 SPS Varmint, if that has any effect on barrel life.)

 

[CyaN1de]

3000-8000 Rounds....YMMV

 

[maynard]

3-5 seconds you do the math

 

[gunrunner8]

Well....8000 might be overly optimistic for 308 Win. You can "kill" match accuracy in couple of hundreds of shots if barrel is neglected or making it to hot with extended rapid fire. Properly taken care of and keeping it cool the button riffled and hammer forged barrel should give you 4-5000 shots of accurate service and more if cut rifled b/c deeper riffling. Quality of steel matters also. Chromed bores like some military ones will extend the life of barrel even more so. If chamber section of barrel is long enough then setting back the barrel min 2-3" might yeld additional 2-3000 accurate shots.

 

[Gunslinger]

One the subject has anyone seen any conclusive tests with Melonite/Salt Bath Nitriding I believe is the techical term. From what I've read it might be the ticket for longer barrel life especially so for the more abusive cartridges.

 

[TargetNorth]

Here's a good thread on this subject.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417139&highlight=aftermarket+barrel

 

[CyaN1de]

Well....8000 might be overly optimistic for 308 Win.

One local match quality barrel was still shooting well enough to win matches when it got changed out at over at 8000 rounds so it is definitely not out of the question, it is by no means the "norm, but certainly feasible if treated properly hence the rather large 3000-8000 rounds I stated earlier as every barrel will differ.