To Molly or not to Molly, that is the question

[BobSki]

OK, so, if you were starting off with a brand new barrel, would you Molly coat the barrel at the start and go with Molly coated bullets, or would you not bother?

I have read some of the threads here and elsewhere and learned that it is pointless to shoot Molly coated bullets through a bare barrel, but I haven't seen anything conclusive that says whether Molly coating is worth doing.

[The Gun Pimp]

Moly-coating will not stop a barrel wearing (burning) out.

It will reduce pressure - and therefore velocity. A few years ago we all moly'd now very few bother. Lapua used to sell their 'Silver jacket' moly'd bullets but they've stopped - presumably because of falling sales.

If you shoot in the type of competition where you need to fire 80plus rounds without an opportunity to clean, you may find with moly-bullets accuracy will deteriorate less.

Benchrest shooters are obsessed with accuracy but I don't know of any that moly.

[Lex]

I've tried moly bullets with AR-15 and for IPSC they are useless imho.

[Dannywayoflife]

I am moly coating my barrel of my 243 barrel on my dta. I have read that it can extend barrel life significantly and that's my main reason for doing this as the 243 is a known barrel burner. Accuracy today was spectacular but I need to chrono to find my speed.

[The Gun Pimp]

Problem is - moly coat bullets - velocity drops - burn more powder to recover velocity - barrel life suffers. Yes, the 243 is grossly over-bore - just choose another cartridge that burns less powder and gives you similar ballistics if you want more barrel-life. Example - 6mm Swiss Match.

[kennyc]

I am moly coating my barrel of my 243 barrel on my dta. I have read that it can extend barrel life significantly and that's my main reason for doing this as the 243 is a known barrel burner. Accuracy today was spectacular but I need to chrono to find my speed.

stop breaking the chroney then!

[Dannywayoflife]

Problem is - moly coat bullets - velocity drops - burn more powder to recover velocity - barrel life suffers. Yes, the 243 is grossly over-bore - just choose another cartridge that burns less powder and gives you similar ballistics if you want more barrel-life. Example - 6mm Swiss Match.

Good points as always Vince! I will see how many rounds it takes to toast this barrel and if it's less than my aim of 2000 I'll consider a more economical cartridge. By burnt out I mean unable to hold .75" @100.

[Dannywayoflife]

I am moly coating my barrel of my 243 barrel on my dta. I have read that it can extend barrel life significantly and that's my main reason for doing this as the 243 is a known barrel burner. Accuracy today was spectacular but I need to chrono to find my speed.

stop breaking the chroney then!

Lol I should be a product tester Kenny! If something can survive me for 6 months it will last anyone else a lifetime!!!

[ovenpaa]

The Viking still moly coats the bullets in her 22C to this day, the moly is to allow a full case of powder and still keep the round under 1000m/sec. Accuracy wise she cleans at 100 rounds and fires 3 to condition the barrel and she is good for another 100 rounds.Accuracy wise it still holds some good groups after around 900 rounds although it only comes out for special occasions these days.

[BobSki]

One reason I asked is that a friend of mine oes apply Molly also Sporting Services (where I'm getting my new rifle) does advertise Lapua SJ.

However, I don't think I'll bother
Thanks chaps.