Spike Camp

barrel life

barrel life
« on: June 21, 2009, 10:11:23 PM »
i am looking at a vanguard in 22-250. for p-dogs, yotes, and just general fun and target practice. i thought i wanted a heavy barrel but really like the price of the regular vanguard synthetic. should i be worried about not having a heavy contour barrel or will the regular vanguard barrel work? how many shots should i expect to get out of the standard barrel before it needs to be replaced?

John

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Re: barrel life
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2009, 05:42:00 AM »
Barrel contour wont change barrle life.  You will see more consistent accuracy from a heavy barrel when you shoot long strings.  However you may get around 2- 3,000 rounds, depending on how you shoot, before you see your accuracy degrade.  Which is usually caused by the throat eroding away.  A short term remedy is seating the bullet longer.  However you can always have a good smith rechamber the barrel and that will bring things back to life for a few more thousand rounds.
ALMOST DANGEROUS

zonie

Re: barrel life
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2009, 09:58:10 AM »
I think Skygod is pretty close in regards to the 22-250 .  I agree with Skygod in all points and will add a few more.  Quality of barrel, type of metal used.  Rapid fireing the weapon.  Improper cleaning.  How hot your load is.  All these thing affect barrel life. Most benchrest shooters can expect anywhere from 700 to 1200 rds fired to maintain peak accuracy then they re-barrel or  pull the barrel cut back an inch and rechamber the eroded area out. Some rifles can be ruined in as little as a few hundred rounds by rapid firing and not allowing to cool.  Some pro pistol shooters will put 500 round a week or more to maintain their edge and will wear out a barrel  in about a  year, but by then other parts are usually in need of replacement also.  But it's no big deal for these guys as they just call the factory and  get a new gun.  The vanguard has a pretty heavy barrel anyway and is capable of really good accuracy.  I guess you need to ask your self a question if your a not going to be carrying the rifle any great distances and mostly shooting from a fixed position from a bench,  or bi-pod in the field I would probably go for the heavy barrel varmit model.  If you are carrying and hunting I would opt for the standard weight.  As for choice of calibers and I'm a little bias and will never say a bad thing about the 22-250,  I think the 243 is a better round it will do anything the 22-250 will plus it's more suitable for longer ranges and bigger game. Go to www.6mmbr.com and read the write-ups on the 243.

drbobc

Re: barrel life
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2009, 01:15:25 PM »
All things considered, the 22-250 is not a killer to barrels. Even properly handloaded, a 220 swift is not that bad. Both are surprisingly accurate if made with a proper barrel size and weight. Seems everybody these days wants a light-weight rifle which absolutely baffles me. Why not go with stability and long life rather than a whimpy barrel? I own both a 220 swift and a 22-250. Do not rapid shoot unless necessary and make certain you understand what such a caliber can do. Always clean a barrel properly and be certain it is broken in properly. If I am shooting at reasonable distances with proper handloads, I can get very reasonable accuracy. You can argue that a 6mm is a better round but I would go with a 240 weatherby if getting such a caliber. To me a 243 is ok but not very serious. If we are going to get ridiculous in discussion I would be willing to state that a 300 weatherby is more than adequate in shooting nearly anything in North America. A lot of people cannot tolerate the recoil and/or noise of the 300. Once again, a proper barrel and rifle weight does a lot in the ability to handle the rifle. Just remember the number 1 rule in the use of any high velocity bullet: "Do not rapid shoot, aim carefully and know what you are shooting at, and properly match the scope with the rifle!"

bob chronister

zonie

Re: barrel life
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2009, 05:37:54 PM »
dr : I actually agree with you, and should have been a little more clear, any cal in 243, 6mm, or 240 wby would be my choice.  Match grade accuracy  starts to decline at around 700 to 1200 rds in world class barrels and when world records are on the line.  The rest of us are really not going to see that much decline in accuracy until we get to a certain point.   Tests have shown especially in modern AR-15's that acceptable accuracy can be maintained well over 10,000 rds with chrome lined bores, but that's a different subject.  Moderate calibers can maintain acceptable accurary in the 5 to 10 K range.  Accuracy starts to decline at some unknown point in any caliber and to put a set number of rounds fired can be quite subjective.  I agree so long as you don't over heat,  tommy gun, and clean properly a rifle barrel will last the average shooter many many years with acceptable accuracy. I do agree a heavy varmit type rifle has merits in some respects, and my own personal experience they tend to swing better, less recoil and, maintain better accuracy for longer shooting sessions,  But there is nothing wrong with any standard or ultra lite rifle either.  Accuracy can be quite good, recoil is very managable with a properly stocked rifle, add a muzzle brake if needed, and are a whole lot easier to carry slugging up and down mtn's or long walks to dog towns carrying an extra 100 rounds to watch them  do an opollo moon shot as we call it,  just aim at where they are sitting and grenade the bullet underneath and see they try and fly. The 22-250 , swift  and others are great calibers for this,  but I will stick with my 243 for the really long shots.  My acceptable degree of accuracy in my standard weight 243 is to hit a small V-8 juice can at 400 yds on a calm day and only miss a few when I muff a shot or when called.

Re: barrel life
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2009, 08:06:44 PM »
thanks for all the detailed replies!!!! i thought i had my mind set on a 22-250, but you guys are saying a .240weatherby would also work for the same applications? i do like the sound of having another weatherby caliber, thats if i can find ammo.

Re: barrel life
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2009, 08:28:43 PM »
alright i just checked weatherbys site and it does not have the 240 as an option in the vanguard, am i just seeing that wrong or is that a caliber only availible in the mk5

zonie

Re: barrel life
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2009, 09:48:07 PM »
I wouldn't too hung-up on the 240 unless it's something you gotta have and that's totally fine also. It's of course a little faster, a little flatter shooting, and king of the hill in the commercial 6 mm class,  but that doesn't mean the 243 is in any means a slouch.  Not expensive to shoot,  ammo available,  very accurate, and the Vanguards are known to be very good shooters. You will be happy with any of the 6 mm 's.

mossie

Re: barrel life
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2009, 08:35:54 AM »
03mossy
I have a 22-250 and I love this gun mine is a SUBMOA and even with factory ammo I am still touching holes at 200yards. The 243 is great and so is the 6mmRem I agree with Zonie buy something that you can find ammo at a decent price for, anywhere you go. If you take care of your 22-250 it will take care of you... ;)