6mm Barrel life burnout?

[Greywolf18]

Just thinking 6x47 Lapua vs 243 vs 243 AI in terms of barrel life. I'll be shooting the 87 gr VMax's. Just wondering what kind of barrel life I could get from these. I've always been told 243 & especially 243 AI are barrel burners. Looking at the 6x47 Lapua it looks like it would be as well so just trying to figure out the lifespan of the barrel. Thanks.

 

[Kevin Thomas]

Hey Brian,

Barrel life here is really up to you. Not trying to dodge here, but there's so many variables involved here that you're the one who ultimately has to make the call as to when a barrel is shot out. Certainly, going with a badly overbore (extremely low expansion ratio) cartridge will tend to aggrivate the problem, but that's not the only consideration involved. Accuracy has always been the deciding factor for me, and it's important to understand how a barrel "goes bad." They don't just quit shooting, they die slowly. Most will continue to shoot outstanding groups . . . with the occasional flyer. Those flyers will become more frequent, and stray further from the group over time. It's up to you to say when it just isn't worth the hassle for you. For a benchrester, that won't be long. For a Highpower shooter (shooting unsupported and usually with iron sights), it may be a bit longer. For a Silhouette shooter (all shots fired offhand) it may be a while longer before he even notices the slight degradation in accuracy that marks the end of a barrel. In short, they'll all have different answers, and that's fine. For a varmint shooter (which is what I'm assuming you're doing?) it'll depend on how many times you can stand calling a shot a good hit, only to see a clean miss and a dog scampering back down his hole.

What you're shooting, even within the same cartridge, will also have a profound impact on this. Heavy bullets give better long range performance, but at a price; they're harder on barrels than lighter bullets are, all else being equal. Still, if it's the long range perfortmance you're after, that's the price you'll pay to get it. Said it before, but we're right back to the no free lunch deal. Best advice I can give you here, is to talk to guys who're doing the same sort of things you want to do, and with similar cartridges. I'm sure they'll be able to tell you how things have gone in their rifles, good, bad and indifferent.

Hope that helps.

Kevin Thomas
Lapua USA

 

[Greywolf18]

Kevin-

Thanks for the reply. Yes, the build would be setup for a varmint gun shooting groundhogs out east in NC/VA where I live and also out west in UT/WY when I go home to visit family. I've been reading more on predator hunting and would love to give it a try as well. Was thinking the 87 VMax because it is the best BC of the VMax's. Granted most shots will be within 500 yards, but would like the ability to extend my range if I could. Thanks again!

 

[JUDD]

I built a 6-284 2 years ago for this same thing. Groundhog hunting. Two years later I only have 400 down the tube. I've done allot of shooting nonsense stuff in between also.

So far at 400 rounds it still shoots 5 shot groups under a dime at 100yd and ES and SD in the single digits yet.

At this rate I suspect I will have at least another 2 to 3 years out of this barrel before I have to set it back.

4-5 years for me I more then got my money out of the barrel. However I don't let it get hot and I keep it clean. Also I am nowhere even close to pushin this round to it's potential which will make a differance.

When you look at rounds you will get also look at how long it will take you to shoot that many. This may make things look a little better...it did for me anyway.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

You heard 243's were barrel burners. I heard for years the 30-06 was far superior to the 270 winchester. Then I heard for years how superior the 270 winchester was to the 30-06. All your discussions in all your threads are making about that much sense.

#1. It is your rifle so pick the performance level you want that you are sure will make you happy.
#2 All are very accurate if done properly so that is out of discussion.
#3 Consider how long it will take you to shoot 2000 rounds. If you take care of your rifle most any will get you to that point.
#4 Pick the one that will make you the happiest. Scratch the itch of the one you want.

#1 Performance level. With hunting varmints out west I assume coyotes are in the mix. But prairie dogs, groundhogs whatever. Coyotes do not hang around for a guy fooling with clicks on a slow rifle. Get a super fast varmint rifle you can get on target quickly with. Wind is a huge factor in hunting anything, varmints especially since they are small tartgets. Get a fast rifle to eliminate as much wind drift as possible. Targets don't move and you have all day to shoot slow rifles. Animals don't stay there long for you to fool with a slow rifle and a bunch of clicks.

#2 Accuracy. I will let anyone pick any of my big 6mms and I will gladly shoot against them for $100 a shot. Been there, done that, nobody bets anymore. They include 240 gibbs, 6mm-06 imp, 240 wby, 243 AI. These rifles will shoot 1/2" to 3/4" groups at 300 yards. That will satisfy most shooters. Speaking of heresay, according to a lot you hear the wby's and freebore rifles will not shoot. I will shoot my 240 wby against any rifle. If your rifle will not shoot 1/2" groups at 300 yards don't bother shooting against my 240 wby.

#3 I have never known of a 243 being a barrel burner in over 40 years shooting. To the contrary they are known to be fairly easy on barrels if a guy takes care of them sensibly. 2000 rounds is a lot of shooting. You should get there with a 243 if you take care of it.

#4 I would get the exact facts from reliable data of the cartridges I was interested in and pick the one I liked the best to scratch my itch. I would not let heresay on the internet influence my opinion unless you know the person in particular to have the knowledge and experience he or she claims.

 

[Boss Hoss]

Will just say this about "burned out barrels" most of what I have seen when someone says they have a burned out barrel some with just 400 rounds are shocked when the B/S comes out!! Not everyone is included in this BUT most blame the tube when in fact it is just polluted to death!

On a 220 swift I saw a carbon ring that would fit on my finger along with a little throat erosion but not enough to make it shoot as bad as it was. Took the Iosso and got it down to bare metal again and voila---back to normal. This was from a guy who swore that his barrel was clean because the patches had "very little blue" on them so the barrel had to be shot out.. It was layered but all came out.

Love the Bore Scope----one look is worth a thousand expert opinions..

 

[Kevin Thomas]

Will just say this about "burned out barrels" most of what I have seen when someone says they have a burned out barrel some with just 400 rounds are shocked when the B/S comes out!! Not everyone is included in this BUT most blame the tube when in fact it is just polluted to death!

On a 220 swift I saw a carbon ring that would fit on my finger along with a little throat erosion but not enough to make it shoot as bad as it was. Took the Iosso and got it down to bare metal again and voila---back to normal. This was from a guy who swore that his barrel was clean because the patches had "very little blue" on them so the barrel had to be shot out.. It was layered but all came out.

Love the Bore Scope----one look is worth a thousand expert opinions..

Ditto on the bore scope! It's the only way to know what's really going on in there from that "up close and personal' perspective. Still, I've seen more than a few that died out pretty early, often well under a 1000 rounds with some cartridges. Brian's the one who'll have to make that call.

Kevin Thomas
Lapua USA

Kevin Thomas
Lapua USA

 

[mike33]

You heard 243's were barrel burners. I heard for years the 30-06 was far superior to the 270 winchester. Then I heard for years how superior the 270 winchester was to the 30-06. All your discussions in all your threads are making about that much sense.

#1. It is your rifle so pick the performance level you want that you are sure will make you happy.
#2 All are very accurate if done properly so that is out of discussion.
#3 Consider how long it will take you to shoot 2000 rounds. If you take care of your rifle most any will get you to that point.
#4 Pick the one that will make you the happiest. Scratch the itch of the one you want.

#1 Performance level. With hunting varmints out west I assume coyotes are in the mix. But prairie dogs, groundhogs whatever. Coyotes do not hang around for a guy fooling with clicks on a slow rifle. Get a super fast varmint rifle you can get on target quickly with. Wind is a huge factor in hunting anything, varmints especially since they are small tartgets. Get a fast rifle to eliminate as much wind drift as possible. Targets don't move and you have all day to shoot slow rifles. Animals don't stay there long for you to fool with a slow rifle and a bunch of clicks.

#2 Accuracy. I will let anyone pick any of my big 6mms and I will gladly shoot against them for $100 a shot. Been there, done that, nobody bets anymore. They include 240 gibbs, 6mm-06 imp, 240 wby, 243 AI. These rifles will shoot 1/2" to 3/4" groups at 300 yards. That will satisfy most shooters. Speaking of heresay, according to a lot you hear the wby's and freebore rifles will not shoot. I will shoot my 240 wby against any rifle. If your rifle will not shoot 1/2" groups at 300 yards don't bother shooting against my 240 wby.

#3 I have never known of a 243 being a barrel burner in over 40 years shooting. To the contrary they are known to be fairly easy on barrels if a guy takes care of them sensibly. 2000 rounds is a lot of shooting. You should get there with a 243 if you take care of it.

#4 I would get the exact facts from reliable data of the cartridges I was interested in and pick the one I liked the best to scratch my itch. I would not let heresay on the internet influence my opinion unless you know the person in particular to have the knowledge and experience he or she claims.

Whats your favorite 6mm? I have a 700 in a 6x284 my buddy opened up and really happy with. Also i have a 243 that shoots well i have been using to sharpen my skills since it is so fun to shoot. Have a spare short action sitting around and was thinking of a new 6mm build on a quality barrel. But i cant complain about the factory rem barrels getting under 1/2 moa. Your thoughts on the build?
Mike

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

243AI I like best on a short action.
The 6mm-284 does best on a long action even though it was designed for a short one.

 

[elkaholic]

Will just say this about "burned out barrels" most of what I have seen when someone says they have a burned out barrel some with just 400 rounds are shocked when the B/S comes out!! Not everyone is included in this BUT most blame the tube when in fact it is just polluted to death!

On a 220 swift I saw a carbon ring that would fit on my finger along with a little throat erosion but not enough to make it shoot as bad as it was. Took the Iosso and got it down to bare metal again and voila---back to normal. This was from a guy who swore that his barrel was clean because the patches had "very little blue" on them so the barrel had to be shot out.. It was layered but all came out.

Love the Bore Scope----one look is worth a thousand expert opinions..

Very Good point Hoss! I've been tuning up a few rifles for friends that have supposedly "clean" barrels. Iosso is a great product as well as Bore Tech Eliminator. The first time I used Eliminator, I couldn't believe how much better it removed copper than anything else I've tried! I also agree that .243's are not barrel burners and there are a LOT of factors other than capacity to bore that cause wear, including but limited to, cleaning, powder charge, powder type, bullet, case design, barrel, number and width of lands etc, etc.....Rich

 

[Mikecr]

Barrel burner stigmas are generally defined by those who group shoot alot(competitors). This is very challenging to bores, and subtle changes in performance show up immediately. I doubt there is a serious competitor who would stick with a 243 for long(not even in LR competition).
It boils down to Powder amount per bore capacity as the major contributor.
With this, a 6br or undersized 243 is favored.

Hunting use is different really. Keep it clean, keep the barrel cool, and it will last a lifetime. Most hunters could not reach or maintain peak potential from their barrels anyway, much less know when it's forever fading.