What to expect- Bartlein 7mm Weatherby barrel life-

[tikkad]

Hello all, I have an older Remington 700 which is currently chambered from the factory in 300 Win Mag. I have had a lot of fun with it in the year that I have had it. I put it in a Masterpiece Arms chassis and did some other work on it. However the factory barrel is not producing what I want even with many different handload variations. Knowing that I want to rebarrell it- I am considering switching to a 7mm instead of 300 Win Mag. As much as I would love to go 28 Nosler- The barrel life is a deal breaker for me. I am wondering what I could expect in terms of shot count/ barrel life if I go 7mm Weatherby Magnum? My smith is advising a Bartlein barrel which I would likely do 1x9 twist. Velocity is important to me- though I am not going to try to gain a few more FPS by pushing my loads to the max pressure.

My next hunt I will be taking this rifle on is to Alberta for Mule Deer where I was told I need to be ready for shots out to 400 and even better if I am ready for 600. This should not be a problem for me as I have shot whitetail and hogs at these ranges and shoot steel much further. I will need to do more research, but I will likely be shooting the Berger 180GR VLD in excess of 3000FPS at the muzzle.

I have looked on various forums and cannot seem to find any straight answers on what to expect in terms of barrel lifef for the 7mm Weatherby in any barrels at all much less the Bartlein.

Any and all feedback and information would be greatly appreciated. I know This will likely not be a 3K round barrel life, but I am hoping to know what I can expect with a high velocity round with the BC of the heavier 7mm projectiles for the cost of the barrel and other necessary steps.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

I wore Out my .270 Weatherby, Factory Barrel, in about, 850 to 900 Shots ( Group's Doubled, in Size ! ).
I Had a 7mm Weatherby Mag rifle, But Put a .338 Win Mag Barrel on it, BEFORE I ever got close to, shooting that many shots, thru it.
I'd expect about,. 900 - 1100 rds, "Approx." of, "Accurate Barrel, Life" from, most 7 MM Mag's ( Weatherby or, Rem ).
You might get More if,.. Well, "Taken Care, Of",. Powder Choice / Velocity, Cooling, Cleaning Reg., Etc.
Have you given any Thought to,. a 7 SAUM or, 7 PRC ??

 

[HandgunHTR]

Barrel life isn't going to be a ton better with the Bee over a Nosler.

Also, I would recommend at least the 1:8.7 twist if you want to shoot 180s.

If barrel life is your main concern go with a 7RM. Will you get 3000 with a 180? No. But 1) you really don't need 180s to kill mule deer, or elk for that matter, and 2) if 600 yards is your max, you are talking a 2MOA difference (8 clicks) in come-up if both are using the 180s. If you take the 7RM down to using a 162 class bullet, there is only a 1.5MOA difference.

 

[tikkad]

Thank you both for your input. Sorry that was a typo on the 1x9 twist. He said 1:8 though I am also keeping my mind open to 1:8.7.

I would not say that barrel life is my main concern, although I was told on this hunt that 600 yards is what to be ready for. I would not consider it my max. I have steel already set up out to 1,000 for other rifles and would hope to take this one further.

Though I realized the 180 at 3000FPS is not needed for mule deer or even elk. That is my desired BC/ and ability to "buck the wind" that I am hoping to achieve.

I shoot Berger out of most of my rifles, but I would be open to the 175GR LR Accubond as well. I do not however seeing myself trying to work up a load for the newer Berger 195. I have a different 300WM and Weatherby Mag that I would use if I had an actual need for that size bullet. (One is best suited to the range due to its weight and the 2nd is a Mark 5 Alaskan) This new rifle will be my main go to Long Range Hunting Rifle. The Masterpiece Preceicion stock is their ultalite so for a chassis LR Magnum I am trying to keep it at a packable weight.

I found a downloadable Excel sheet that factors in bullet diameter, PSI, Powder selection and charge as well as other factors on another reputable site. (I don't think I am supposed to send cross links). This shows that on the upper end but not max of H1000 I would have 1,453 rounds of "Accuracy". If I thought that was relatively accurate based on others input/experience I would be okay with that. I just would be more hesitant at something under 1,000 rounds as to avoid having to rebarrell and re-develop a load to quickly. With H1000 one published load with 180 VLD's and H1000 for the Weatherby has 53,400PSI at Max charge compared to over 62K for the 28 Nosler and 60,000 for the Rem Mag with the same bullet and powder.

I have considered the SAUM but would like to stay LA. The PRC was also a tempting choice, I know that plenty of rounds well under 3,000FPS have done incredible things, I just still am trying to hold out for that goal as like I said this will be my main go to LR Hunting Rifle. I think the PRC achieved a great need, though I feel that some of its greatest benefit is to those who use factory ammunition but want a higher BC bullet. My chassis takes the AI 3.85" Mag and I reload so COAL is for the most part limited by my placement off the lands and not as much by the cartridge/bullet choice.

Once I get it back from my smith and get the new barrel broken in and load developed- I would like to feel confident to know I could shoot Mule Deer, Elk or other game out to at least 800 yards if I decided to.

 

[Robert23430]

Have you considered the Bartlein 400MOD barrels? They're supposed to last 1-1/2 to 2x longer.

 

[FEENIX]

Hello all, I have an older Remington 700 which is currently chambered from the factory in 300 Win Mag. I have had a lot of fun with it in the year that I have had it. I put it in a Masterpiece Arms chassis and did some other work on it. However the factory barrel is not producing what I want even with many different handload variations. Knowing that I want to rebarrell it- I am considering switching to a 7mm instead of 300 Win Mag. As much as I would love to go 28 Nosler- The barrel life is a deal breaker for me. I am wondering what I could expect in terms of shot count/ barrel life if I go 7mm Weatherby Magnum? My smith is advising a Bartlein barrel which I would likely do 1x9 twist. Velocity is important to me- though I am not going to try to gain a few more FPS by pushing my loads to the max pressure.

My next hunt I will be taking this rifle on is to Alberta for Mule Deer where I was told I need to be ready for shots out to 400 and even better if I am ready for 600. This should not be a problem for me as I have shot whitetail and hogs at these ranges and shoot steel much further. I will need to do more research, but I will likely be shooting the Berger 180GR VLD in excess of 3000FPS at the muzzle.

I have looked on various forums and cannot seem to find any straight answers on what to expect in terms of barrel lifef for the 7mm Weatherby in any barrels at all much less the Bartlein.

Any and all feedback and information would be greatly appreciated. I know This will likely not be a 3K round barrel life, but I am hoping to know what I can expect with a high velocity round with the BC of the heavier 7mm projectiles for the cost of the barrel and other necessary steps.

Bartlein is an excellent barrel. As with anything, YMMV, how hot you load them and care for your barrel will affect barrel life. Good luck!

 

[MOA or bust]

Rethink the 28 Nosler. It will get you to your goal easier than trying to push the 7WB. If you shoot out the barrel after 800 rds, then move on.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Any 7mm mag that is NOT shot hot and is kept clean should reach 1,000 rnd of good bore life. Even my 7STW made it, but I treat my barrels well.

 

[tikkad]

Thanks again for everyone's input. I have not seen the 400MOD live up to that claim from other research and input who have had multiples. It sounds as though after the first production run there may have been a change that impacted just how much stronger this steel was. I haven't seen any concrete proof such as metalogic testing data. This was all from another thread when I was researching it.

The 28 Nosler is fantastic, but I believe whatever the WBY ends up being the Nosler would certainly be less. I would hate to just move on as I would have made other investments in Brass, Dies etc. I don't plan to push the Weatherby harder then I have to Hornady load data shows 4 of there 8 published powders at 3,100FPS with three of the others at 3000FPS. I think with a 26" finished barrel my goal should be achievable. If I find a load during development that the rifle likes that ends up being 50 or so FPS shy of 3,000 while staying shy of the max load data I will go with that and be happy and not loose any sleep over those could be 50FPS or whatever it ends up being. And if my rifle loves a load that is a little bit over but not at Max then that's great too.

 

[warrbuk]

I have a 7mm weatherby 24" Bartlein barrel that has a custom throat .180 FB I believe. 180 VLDs are seated just above the neck / shoulder radius. I run the 180's at a low node 2945 FPS with H-1000. I could get it hotter but brass / barrel life goes away faster. I expect 1000-1300 rounds with that combination,

Peterson make 7mm weatherby brass now too. I would run that if I didnt have 200 pieces of Norma brass

My 28 Nosler is throated long for the 195's seated above the junction I run N570 and the pressure is higher that the 7 Wby. I will be happy with 500-600 rounds. That N570 carbons up the barrel fast and it's a bitch to clean. I don't like it but I use the abrasives more frequently on the carbon build up.

The 28N is a beast in the wind! I had a 585 yard shot at a Aoudad last year it was blowing hard and the 195 smoked him with a easy wind call

 

[tikkad]

That is great inside

I have a 7mm weatherby 24" Bartlein barrel that has a custom throat .180 FB I believe. 180 VLDs are seated just above the neck / shoulder radius. I run the 180's at a low node 2945 FPS with H-1000. I could get it hotter but brass / barrel life goes away faster. I expect 1000-1300 rounds with that combination,

Peterson make 7mm weatherby brass now too. I would run that if I didnt have 200 pieces of Norma brass

My 28 Nosler is throated long for the 195's seated above the junction I run N570 and the pressure is higher that the 7 Wby. I will be happy with 500-600 rounds. That N570 carbons up the barrel fast and it's a bitch to clean. I don't like it but I use the abrasives more frequently on the carbon build up.

The 28N is a beast in the wind! I had a 585 yard shot at a Aoudad last year it was blowing hard and the 195 smoked him with a easy wind call

That is great first hand insight. Thank you Greatly Warrbuck. I am indeed planning to use Peterson Brass. Do you mind me asking what Dies you use? It doesn't look like there are a lot of options out there.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Thank you both for your input. Sorry that was a typo on the 1x9 twist. He said 1:8 though I am also keeping my mind open to 1:8.7.

I would not say that barrel life is my main concern, although I was told on this hunt that 600 yards is what to be ready for. I would not consider it my max. I have steel already set up out to 1,000 for other rifles and would hope to take this one further.

Though I realized the 180 at 3000FPS is not needed for mule deer or even elk. That is my desired BC/ and ability to "buck the wind" that I am hoping to achieve.

I shoot Berger out of most of my rifles, but I would be open to the 175GR LR Accubond as well. I do not however seeing myself trying to work up a load for the newer Berger 195. I have a different 300WM and Weatherby Mag that I would use if I had an actual need for that size bullet. (One is best suited to the range due to its weight and the 2nd is a Mark 5 Alaskan) This new rifle will be my main go to Long Range Hunting Rifle. The Masterpiece Preceicion stock is their ultalite so for a chassis LR Magnum I am trying to keep it at a packable weight.

I found a downloadable Excel sheet that factors in bullet diameter, PSI, Powder selection and charge as well as other factors on another reputable site. (I don't think I am supposed to send cross links). This shows that on the upper end but not max of H1000 I would have 1,453 rounds of "Accuracy". If I thought that was relatively accurate based on others input/experience I would be okay with that. I just would be more hesitant at something under 1,000 rounds as to avoid having to rebarrell and re-develop a load to quickly. With H1000 one published load with 180 VLD's and H1000 for the Weatherby has 53,400PSI at Max charge compared to over 62K for the 28 Nosler and 60,000 for the Rem Mag with the same bullet and powder.

I have considered the SAUM but would like to stay LA. The PRC was also a tempting choice, I know that plenty of rounds well under 3,000FPS have done incredible things, I just still am trying to hold out for that goal as like I said this will be my main go to LR Hunting Rifle. I think the PRC achieved a great need, though I feel that some of its greatest benefit is to those who use factory ammunition but want a higher BC bullet. My chassis takes the AI 3.85" Mag and I reload so COAL is for the most part limited by my placement off the lands and not as much by the cartridge/bullet choice.

Once I get it back from my smith and get the new barrel broken in and load developed- I would like to feel confident to know I could shoot Mule Deer, Elk or other game out to at least 800 yards if I decided to.

Just another FYI, I ran the ballistics between the 180 grain Berger at 3000 (7 Bee) and the 162 grain ELDX at 2900 (7RM) and the difference in wind drift was .6 MOA. I don't dial for wind and all of the wind substentions on the scopes I have on my longer range rifles are 1MOA or .5MIL (depending). If you do dial and use MOA, you are talking 2 clicks difference. Either way, the difference won't take you past the substentions on the reticle.

 

[dogz]

I've been using a 7 Mashburn Super for 3 decades, have gone thru 7 or 8 barrels from start to finish.

My present day one is a 8 twist hart, I'd go 8 if doing it again. (I've mainly used Schneiders and they were stellar).

Generally around 1700 rounds they begin to foul a bit, around 2K rounds I start chasing the lands. I generally quit on them when they get to 2500 give or take. I did take one to 3K rounds, but that was during a tough time and I didn't have the cheddar to rebarrel so I limped it thru.

For some time I was shooting it 500-1000 rounds a year.

The Mashburn is fairly close to the 7 Wby so I'd expect the same.

PM if you wish to talk anymore about them in depth. I'm a huge fan of the Big 7's!

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Just another FYI, I ran the ballistics between the 180 grain Berger at 3000 (7 Bee) and the 162 grain ELDX at 2900 (7RM) and the difference in wind drift was .6 MOA. I don't dial for wind and all of the wind substentions on the scopes I have on my longer range rifles are 1MOA or .5MIL (depending). If you do dial and use MOA, you are talking 2 clicks difference. Either way, the difference won't take you past the substentions on the reticle.

Just curious:

Why would you compare a 180gr at 3,000fps to a 162gr at a slower velocity, instead of a higher velocity. I'd expect a 162gr to do 3,100fps, give or take.