Powders that accelerate wear in 30 cal Barrels

[stljc2]

I think we always have to ask ourselves what our priorities are. There are always trade offs. For competition, ultimately, consistency is king. A couple hundred fps at a known distance means little and a higher round count is desirable. For a hunting rifle, that speed helps cover variables in situation such as an animal moving a few steps after ranging or when using a nearby object to range because our equipment cant reliably range a relatively non-reflecive target.

Elmer Kieth (I think) is reported to have said, "Efficiency be *rule 4 violation*, its results we're after".

And as dmagna pointed out, a hunting rifle may last 30 years regardless. Just my .02.

Thanks Tiny Tim for your input. Yup Elmer and I agree. But, of course, I always strive for the best I can do.

I don't utilize a rangefinder (except the old method of Average chest to withers in inches X MOA hashmarks / 95.5 for range estimation at least I think that's the formula haven't used it as of yet since mostly where I'm at anything over 200 yd is a rarity).

 

[Mram10us]

Thanks Tiny Tim for your input. Yup Elmer and I agree. But, of course, I always strive for the best I can do.

I don't utilize a rangefinder (except the old method of Average chest to withers in inches X MOA hashmarks / 95.5 for range estimation at least I think that's the formula haven't used it as of yet since mostly where I'm at anything over 200 yd is a rarity).

You hunt long range without a RF?

 

[Tiny Tim]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into that formula. It might come in handy. Box of tricks thing. Lol

Thanks Tiny Tim for your input. Yup Elmer and I agree. But, of course, I always strive for the best I can do.

I don't utilize a rangefinder (except the old method of Average chest to withers in inches X MOA hashmarks / 95.5 for range estimation at least I think that's the formula haven't used it as of yet since mostly where I'm at anything over 200 yd is a rarity).

 

[stljc2]

You hunt long range without a RF?

Well not long range like western states long range. Although a trip to Colorado has been offered by some friends for Elk. Been to Texas a few times for whitetail but so far nothing more than a couple hundred yards. And yeah..MOA or Mills on a scope get you close enough IF you can do the math and have the dope worked out already.

 

[Mram10us]

At that range, makes sense. Thanks

 

[65WSM]

This is the Forum for barrel burners. I remember that Chrysler did not offer a warranty on the 426 Hemi powered 'Cuda that I drooled over on the Dealers floor. The 383 four barrel had a five year warranty.
My day job is wearing out barrels. I like VhitaVuori 500 series of powders. I bet I have 5 pounds of each on hand. The Swiss Nitrocheme powders even get better performance out of short barrels (Reloader 26). No I do not have any "extra" Reloader 26 for sale.
I try to mitigate barrel life by nitrocarburizing barrels and coating bullets. No naked bullets! I also shoot "reduced loads" with Accurate 5744 and IMR 4759.

 

[uncle_motorhead]

Front ignition load if you want longer barrel life. Look up Rocky Gibbs Front Ignition loading techniques.

 

[JC in Calif]

Hi Guys. Before I ask this I want to thank you all for your patients. This is a rather rookie question and one I didn't even consider when developing loads for 260 Rem, 308 Win. and 300 Win Mag.

So my situation is this. In my 260 I found a good accuracy node utilizing V V N550. I used the same powder for my 308 Win. and it also worked very well (pictures attached). I was so happy I went to V V N560 for the 300 Win Mag. This ones promising but I haven't completed testing yet.

Now I find out these powders (according to one guy) are temp sensitive and could accelerate (burn out) my barrels. I'm just starting research to find out just how fast the damage can occur (round count), if that's possible, and just how temp sensitive these powders are. What I'm ultimately trying to do is find out if I need to change powders and if so...to what to get good performance.

Can you help me out here. I'm sorta at a loss for just where I can find this info and need sound advice. Thanks again for your patience in advance.260 RemView attachment 156996 View attachment 156997 The 308 win is the yellow circle (no thick black line.

This subject, barrel life, comes up fairly regularly. I understand the concern, but bottom line for me is desired results. In my hunting rifles, accuracy and terminal results are the top priorities for me. I use a number of calibers that are considered barrel burners, 257WBY, 7STW, .300 Win, 6.5/284, 350 Rem Mag, 25/06IMP. I like the performance of all of these cartridges. They are hunting rifles. They get some range use and then are used during the hunting season. I don't worry about barrel life, if I did, I would choose a different caliber. Don't heat the barrel up too much, clean and maintain your barrel and worry more about finding the right load for that big six by six elk that's out there that's waiting for you!

 

[tooOld]

Thanks for the insight Greyfox. I'll keep that in mind. Looks like I need to figure out what the burn rate is on these. Typically the N550 & N560 are also slow burners..just don't know for a fact where they compare with H1000.

Every reloading manual and powder site includes a chart showing where powders relate to each other in terms of burning speeds. There is a caveat that these can be variable.

 

[John Grimm]

So I use 47grs behind a 155gr smk in my 24in m24 with the rock creek barrel. I'm at 5k rounds in it and it's only shooting better. 200 yard zero.

 

[stljc2]

This is the Forum for barrel burners. I remember that Chrysler did not offer a warranty on the 426 Hemi powered 'Cuda that I drooled over on the Dealers floor. The 383 four barrel had a five year warranty.
My day job is wearing out barrels. I like VhitaVuori 500 series of powders. I bet I have 5 pounds of each on hand. The Swiss Nitrocheme powders even get better performance out of short barrels (Reloader 26). No I do not have any "extra" Reloader 26 for sale.
I try to mitigate barrel life by nitrocarburizing barrels and coating bullets. No naked bullets! I also shoot "reduced loads" with Accurate 5744 and IMR 4759.

Ok ..Well I'm just a retired guy trying to get everything out of a barrel I can and hopefully get good life out of it. I guess I'm still in the discovery phase of reloading and trying to wrap my head around it so I can make good judgements on reloading. So many folks here seem to be head and shoulders above me and my knowlage that I'm trying to catchup and be better at what we're all trying to accomplish. ..Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it.

 

[stljc2]

Ro

Front ignition load if you want longer barrel life. Look up Rocky Gibbs Front Ignition loading techniques.

Rocky Gibbs...Got it thanks

 

[stljc2]

This subject, barrel life, comes up fairly regularly. I understand the concern, but bottom line for me is desired results. In my hunting rifles, accuracy and terminal results are the top priorities for me. I use a number of calibers that are considered barrel burners, 257WBY, 7STW, .300 Win, 6.5/284, 350 Rem Mag, 25/06IMP. I like the performance of all of these cartridges. They are hunting rifles. They get some range use and then are used during the hunting season. I don't worry about barrel life, if I did, I would choose a different caliber. Don't heat the barrel up too much, clean and maintain your barrel and worry more about finding the right load for that big six by six elk that's out there that's waiting for you!

Ok...lol...Now that's not fair...6x6...For me it'd be a trophy of a lifetime...

Yes I clean and maintain my firearms and try to load them so I get the performance out of a bullet at distance. YOUR RIGHT...I might be over thinking it some. I am just trying to strike a decent balance. Thank You JC in Calif. for your input.

 

[stljc2]

So I use 47grs behind a 155gr smk in my 24in m24 with the rock creek barrel. I'm at 5k rounds in it and it's only shooting better. 200 yard zero.

Yup I know the feeling. 1985 era 308 Win results shown below..one and only owner