Ruster Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 I am being told that switching from a 100g sako soft point to a 55g Winchester ballistic silver tip will burn my barrel out quicker. Reason for this is the speed the round travels is much faster. I have looked online a little bit and seen people saying the heavier loads contribute more to barrel burn out due to needing more powder to get it moving and the slower barrel exit time means the gases are burning for longer. Now I am very new to centre fire shooting but surely this is all just such a minimal difference (millionth of a second kinda stuff) you should just shoot what ever ammo you get the best results with. So I am looking for some kind of clarification on a couple of things, firstly I am shooting a .243 tikka T3 lite (and loving it👍🏻) and main quarry is roe,fox and sometimes fallow so is barrel burn out a common thing? How many shots can it take hundreds/thousands/ hundreds of thousands? What is actually better light fast rounds or slower heavy ones? If I think of anything else I will add it later thank you in advance for any info you can give Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superspark Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 I also dont know the answer here but also would like to know how long diiferent barrels last with different grain bullets. sounds very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 A heavier bullet takes less powder and travels slower and uses a slower burning powder . What knackers your barrel is shooting continuous,as in not letting your barrel cool between groups,poor cleaning and bad storage. So the lighter the bullet the faster burning of powder and greater the speed=knackered barrel a bit faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruster Posted August 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 Roughly how much faster? I know it's not an exact science but is it a few hundred of a few thousand quicker? Also what about fast heavy loads just got some 100g that go 2900+fps which if memory serves is what the 55g ones I have move at so will the heavier one be better to use or will they cause more wear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 I haven't got a clue,Im not into fast and flat calibres ,as do a lot of target shooting at set ranges so don't have the need. Just had my 223 barrel scoped and it's showing very slight sighns of wear and the crown would benefit from 50tho removing and recrowning, I wouldnt like to guess how many rounds I have had through it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) Its more to do with which powder you are using rather than which bullet but with a .243 used for game shooting its not going to be a problem in your lifetime. Barrels go because they absorb carbon from the hot gasses and it makes the metal brittle and prone to microscopic cracks. These cracks then break free at the start of the rifling eroding the throat. Edited August 22, 2015 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 Don't worry about it, just don't go blatting away and get it hot. You more than likely will have to replace your car sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 This has me thinking now. I use red dot and blue dot in my 357 that's at the fast end of the scale, would it cause fire cracking throught erosion and fast wearing or breakdown of the rifling. Just thinking aloud. Underdog it's still going strong thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 This has me thinking now. I use red dot and blue dot in my 357 that's at the fast end of the scale, would it cause fire cracking throught erosion and fast wearing or breakdown of the rifling. Just thinking aloud. Underdog it's still going strong thanks. No mate, don't forget about pressure! High pressures also play a role. Not really very high in 357 compared, and the larger bore helps too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 No mate, don't forget about pressure! High pressures also play a role. Not really very high in 357 compared, and the larger bore helps too.Thanks u. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruster Posted August 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 Ok thanks for all the answers everyone seems I should just shoot what gives me best results and not worry about it, being new to the game when I heard about barrel burn out got me thinking but seems it is not a massive problem so I will be happy. Thanks again and happy hunting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 I read somewhere about the life of a barrel from a very knowledgeable source, It equated to around 7 seconds. It can be looked at in 2 ways in my opinion, if you use it you will wear it out eventually, or you can just admire it and keep it in the cupboard and just get it out and touch it now and again. Correctly cleaning will extend the life more than not cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigadam Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I was worried about this with my .270 but unless you put round after round I think you'll be ok mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 As others have said it over heating and poor cleaning that are the worst culprits. I use my rifles if a barrels burns out so be it means I can re barrel it and possibly try something different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I read somewhere about the life of a barrel from a very knowledgeable source, It equated to around 7 seconds. It can be looked at in 2 ways in my opinion, if you use it you will wear it out eventually, or you can just admire it and keep it in the cupboard and just get it out and touch it now and again. Correctly cleaning will extend the life more than not cleaning. The 7 seconds thing, I've heard that somewhere before too. Always wondered how you'd go about calculating it, using 50% of muzzle velocity perhaps, to allow for the acceleration down the barrel ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 There is s barrel life estimator you can download. I think it might be on 6mm BR buy can't remember Interesting enough the 243 is s very capable target round but little used because the barrel has too short a life to last a full competing season and normal load development I have owned the same 243 for over 15years Most of its life has been roe shooting maybe 20 rounds a month at 3000 fps I doubt the barrel might have lasted if I was running 55 grain at 3800 all those years. When I do run such things it's pretty much 1 shot a session stuff The barrel is in its final days now coppers up real bad after a dozen rounds but still shoots great Sure you could burn one out in less than a year punching paper twice a week with fast loads and 5 shot groups shot consecutive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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