how much will barrels "speed up" when broken in?

[the444shooter]

I bought a Remington 6.5 creedmoor that shoots lights out with 140gr American Gunner factory ammo. The stated velocities are 2690 for a 24" barrel. The gun has a 22" barrel, so I know it might be a tad slower, but the velocities I got from my magnetospeed were 2500-2534 in a 5 shot string. The gun only has about 30-40rds through it so far. How much more can I anticipate the barrel speeding up as it gets broken in? Is 100 fps outlandish to hope for?

 

[Rick Richard]

Each gun is different along with barrel length, but I would say anywhere from nothing to 100 maybe fps

 

[Heavyiron]

X2 on what mr richard said

 

[the444shooter]

Thanks for the replies

 

[jasonco]

If you don't yet reload, this is very good cartridge to learning to reload with!
24" barrel length, is kind of the mid-length, length and you can get to the 2750's fps with hand loading 140-143 bullets, with many many powders. H4350 is, of course, the magic Unicorn Fairy Dust powder(I just got another 10lbs of it!) as always but, Reloder 17 matches really well with 24" barrel and 140-143 grain bullets.

 

[the444shooter]

Thanks Jason, I plan on loading for it in the future. The factory American Gunner shot so well in it I thought maybe I'd just shoot that, but then I saw the velocities. Gonna go out in a sec and test the same ammo in a 24" Bergera

 

[jasonco]

By all means, keep using the American Gunner, I do and it's good stuff, in my bolt guns. It's not the fastest but, it's pretty dang accurate for the price.

 

[the444shooter]

The Bergara showed anywhere from 2580-2614, so still 80-100fps slower than advertised. I've notified Hornady, and we'll see what they do.

 

[LeddSlinger]

You can't "expect" a barrel to speed up after break-in. It may or may not. Depends on how rough the bore is to begin with. They usually speed up a little after about 100 rounds, but 100 fps gain after break-in is an outlandish expectation.

The real benefit of break in is that you should start to see more "consistent" speeds (at least with a well tuned handload) and the barrel will clean out easier. A well broke barrel can also usually shoot more rounds before requiring cleaning due to degraded accuracy.

Any factory ammo is a crap shoot for meeting stated velocity as every barrel is a little different. Other part is I think ammo companies exaggerate velocities on their boxes to get more sales. Doesn't matter how much a person complains after seeing the truth on a chronograph because you can't change factory ammo. Most people who shoot factory ammo dont own a chronograph so they just believe what's listed on the box. If you are unhappy with the velocity, best thing to do is start handloading your own ammo. Of course, accuracy is what really matters.

 

[dfanonymous]

I think you can expect a barrel to increase velocity. Copper build up will always insure that. After a few hundred rounds, most barrels will have a balance out for a bit and you'll have some consistancy in the barrel for a few hundred rounds before the next increase. Then there will be so much copper build up that accuracy is effected and you'll have to get it out. I love when my patches come out blue.

 

[jasonco]

The Bergara showed anywhere from 2580-2614, so still 80-100fps slower than advertised. I've notified Hornady, and we'll see what they do.

That's about the right velocity with the Hornady American Gunner 140 BTHP ammunition.

 

[jtbiv01]

@jasonco agreed. American Gunner runs 140 great. Lower node than max in my gun. Witnessed Just under 2600fps and a hammer out to 1k yds in a Ruger America Predator 22".

Dial it up, ur gtg!

 

[baldhunter]

Don't expect to get advertised velocity out of factory ammo.Most of it is loaded rather mild so it can be a one load to fit all rifles.Expect about a 100fps less,then maybe 50fps less for a two inch shorter barrel,so 150fps.Now subtract 150fps from the advertised velocity and it's about exactly what your rifle is getting.