F Class Barrel Life

[Watcher]

Vince,

Thanks for your advice. I think I'd rather go for a reasonable barrel life than change every couple of years. I just could not afford it anyway.

Not too far from Diggle although I've never shot there. Most of my pals have. Most of my time is spent at Altcar.

W

[Sandgroper]

How about 6 seconds?

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technica ... rrel-life/

An interesting and sobering article,

DM

After reading that, I was so tempted to work out how many seconds of firing time our MAG 58's (GPMG) and M-60's did - fortunately I came to my senses and resisted the temptation! :lol:

[Alessandro Dall Asta]

In your opinion, what kind of barrel life can I aspected from a .308 w, shooting SMK 210 grains at 2739 fps, with double base powder like N550?
Regards

[Dangermouse]

Alessandro,

I am not far behind you shooting a 185gn with 550 at around 2800fps.

I would like to get 1000 rounds and secretly hope to get nearer 2000 rounds - either way I do not plan on re barrelling until after the Europeans next year. At the moment I am at around the 600 round mark (exact count is known but book locked away at this time), so I should be OK.

DM

[Alessandro Dall Asta]

Thank you Dangermouse

[Gun Pimp]

In your opinion, what kind of barrel life can I aspected from a .308 w, shooting SMK 210 grains at 2739 fps, with double base powder like N550?
Regards

Alessandro,

I'm convinced that double-base powders like Vit N540 and N550 significantly reduce barrel-life. Also, in the UK, we shoot in pairs and this helps with barrel-life, rather than 'string' shooting where the barrel will get much hotter.

For example, in 1000 yard benchrest, a 7mmWSM is good for no more than 500 rounds max. whereas in F Class, shooting in pairs, 700 rounds plus is possible.

Vince

[Mr_Logic]

Something that has been niggling me is the question of barrel life for F Class. Some of the chaps in my club shoot F Class very seriously and would expect to change their barrels at what are, to me, incredibly short intervals.

I'm idling about getting a .223 set up for some not too serious F Class competition. My problem is that my Protestant soul (and wallet) can't cope with a barrel change every year!!

It may be that I just have to accept that I can't play with the big boys (doesn't worry me) but I would worry if I know that I will quickly burn out a barrel whatever I did.

Watcher,

I think a lot of us have had a shock regarding barrel-life. Yes, you won't get much more than 750 rounds out of the 'super sevens' - WSMs and the like.

I burnt-out a 308 at 1200 rounds - which did shock me - and I know of another shooter who did the same. When you start using double-base powders to attain velocities over 3000 fps, don't expect 3 - 4000 rounds from the barrel.

Laurie Holland's 223 was re-barrelled at around 2200 I think - 90 grain bullets and Reloader 17 = HOT!

Unfortunately, at the highest level, barrels are a 'disposable' item.

If you want your 308 to last, stick to a single-base powder and sub. 3000fps velocity.

Haing said all that - my home range Diggle has a 2 & 20 F Class shoot every fortnight - if you shoot every one, it's only 500 rounds per year.

Incidentally Watcher - you can't be too far from Diggle?

Vince

I'm starting to think I need to move near Diggle just to be able to practice!

As a matter of curiosity, what are people using in terms of powder nowadays for a 155 or a 185 bullet - my 308 is on order with Sanselm so I'm starting to wonder what food I need to buy for it!!

[ovenpaa]

I'm starting to think I need to move near Diggle just to be able to practice!

As a matter of curiosity, what are people using in terms of powder nowadays for a 155 or a 185 bullet - my 308 is on order with Sanselm so I'm starting to wonder what food I need to buy for it!!

For me N540 for the 155 or 155.5 and you could use either N540 or N550 for the 185 however some swear by N140 and the only reason I moved away from it was because it was very scarce 2-3 years ago.

Have you gone for a 1:12 or 1:11 twist?

[Mr_Logic]

12-twist broughton 5C, which AFAIK allows me to shoot both bullets.

[Gun Pimp]

[/quote]
I'm starting to think I need to move near Diggle just to be able to practice!

As a matter of curiosity, what are people using in terms of powder nowadays for a 155 or a 185 bullet - my 308 is on order with Sanselm so I'm starting to wonder what food I need to buy for it!![/quote]

As I posted earlier, there are equipment lists on the GBFCA website for the top ten FTR shooters in both the League and the Europeans listing everything - bullet, powder, primer, barrel ,stock etc. etc.

Vince