Many of the folks who visit this site probably get a lot more trigger time than I do. That said, the first 6mm/223 (6 x 45) that I built for myself lasted for just under 2800rds. It was not Melonited. I was shooting 80g Blitz over Win. 748 ball powder. I use my bore scope to check my cleaning. At 500rds I was starting to see slight evidence of fire cracking (SS bbl.). It just got worse from there. The 6mm X 45 that I'm shooting now, that has been treated, has just over 750rds through it and I see no evidence of cracking/wear. I shoot the 6mmAI (6mm Rem. Ackley Improved) more than any of my other rifles. Velocity averages 3130fps. with a load of RL22 under a 107g SMK. I have just over 1100rds through the tube with no visible cracking but can see the beginnings of wear in the throat, especially at the end of the chamber/beginning of the throat. I'm sure every barrel will be a little different. It'll depend on the load, how hot you get the barrel, the same factors that effect wear in an untreated barrel. I have positive feed-back from my customers who have had me send their new barrel off for treatment. The only negative I've received was from a guy who I built a 300UM for who was having trouble working up a load. He finally found one. Might have been because he was insisting on using a 125g-130g bullet. As for cleaning, the barrel needs to be 'new'. I fire 2-3 rounds so I can check the brass, clean it 'squeeky' clean, no carbon, no jacket material, and send it off. I clean the barrel after treatment with hot, soapy water and a bronze brush. I just mix up a 2 1/2gal bucket with scalding hot water and dish soap and have at it, just like I'd clean a muzzle loader with a hooked breach. Scrub and patch out 'till I see no visible residue on the patch. Lightly lub the bore and exterior,,,, lightly lub the threads and install on the action. You can find more info by using the 'search' feature on this forum and on accurateshooter.
