How many rounds per string, barrel too hot?

**Pappabear** · 05-08-12, 12:15

Ok guys, let's talk about this. How many rounds do you fire before you say, " the barrel is 8 million degrees and I need to stop".

I always fire five and often go 10 round strings. The 308 gets hot and 300 WM GETS REAL HOT!

I'm talking about precision shooting, not rapid fire. But not playing grab ass between shots either.

Does it trash the barrel? I have not really cared because as soon as my 5R's get smoked, I have a Krieger awaiting. But i would like to hear the general concenses. I'm not trying to kill them, but I bought them to shoot.

**darr3239** · 05-08-12, 12:36

I'd like to hear more about this also. I have an H.S. Precision Lightweight, in 300 WSM, and it gets hot quick. The fluted barrel helps to cool, but you always wonder if higher temperature firing increases wear, while also creating other negative issues.

**MistWolf** · 05-08-12, 13:09

Higher temps do accelerate wear, but that's the cost we pay to shoot. The harder a barrel is used, the faster it wears. A barrel will last longer if babied but then are you are you shooting? Just like a set of tires on a performance car- going to the the track and running it hard wears out the tires but if you baby the tires, why go to the track? If you don't run a performance car hard, why did you buy it?

Don't be afraid to wear out a barrel. Shoot the rifle until accuracy falls off enough that it is no longer acceptable for your purposes. It will likely surprise you how long it'll take before accuracy really drops off and needs a new barrel

**orkan** · 05-08-12, 14:18

In that other thread with the dot drills, I've fired 50rnds out of that barrel back to back without stopping, several times. Still shoots good.

The more important issue here is after how many rounds of successive fire does your POI start to wander?

**lengthofpull** · 05-08-12, 22:23

Originally Posted by orkan

In that other thread with the dot drills, I've fired 50rnds out of that barrel back to back without stopping, several times. Still shoots good.

The more important issue here is after how many rounds of successive fire does your POI start to wander?

I am just one man, but I have a Browning M-1000 in 300 win mag. When I get it ready for deer season in hot august my groups will drop about 2 inches at 300 yards after about 20 rounds in 12 minutes or so.

That may just be my gun and may not be from barrel droop, but if I let it cool down in the shade with the bolt open its back to its original POI.

YMMV.

**ICANHITHIMMAN** · 05-08-12, 22:36

I have never fired more than 2 rounds in a 10 min peroid out of either of my 30 cal magnums. Heat is not your friend but my rifles are not for that purpose either. I suppose if I was competing in something I would see the need to get them hot but I dont.

The excess heat will speed in errosion or your throat

**darr3239** · 05-08-12, 23:41

Working up a batch of 5-6 test handloads (4 rounds per specific powder load) involves some range time. I usually rest a bit between each load level, but then fire each of the 4 rounds within a couple of minutes.

**Sgt_Gold** · 05-10-12, 20:53

High power shooters shoot 40 rounds rapid fire in the course of a standard 80round match. Some match shooters get 8k out of a .308, some get 1,200 out of a 6mm. The point I'm making is heating the barrel during a string of rapid fire is not what wears it out. It's the throat erosion caused by the burning gunpowder that's the real enemy.