F T/R Competition When to replace barrel because of wear

[MLCM24]

I've been told that I will "know" when to replace the barrel (I shoot F-class open and use a 300 WM that now has 1400 rounds through it) because the groups "open up." Could some of the shooters that have replaced barrels give some more specific guidelines and the measurements that led them to replace their barrels, i.e. does the sight in group go from .5 MOA to 1.5 MOA literally overnight or is it a gradual process or does the group stay mostly at, as an example, .5 MOA with fliers that didn't used to be there? Or is there some other pattern that I will see.
Help with specific examples and specific guidelines would be appreciated.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: When to replace barrel because of wear

I don't shoot F-class but do shoot steel plates out to 1000 yards at our local matches. I've had been using a LR pistol (XP-100) in 260rem for two seasons and it did quite well as we progressed thru scope and stock configurations but early this season the scores stated to drop with a lot of very close misses on the smaller targets. Next match the same thing. Kept checking everything and all was good except for so many near misses.

Switched over and shot my sons XP in the same caliber and set a new range record and continued to be able to shoot the smaller targets. Finally got around to grouping mine and at 100 it still shot well but just not the tight little groups it used to, the farther out the more it opened up. The barrel was used when we got it and after two more seasons of matches and practice it finally started to open up.

I think the gun will tell you when it's tired and wants to be put to rest. If you start to get a lot of near misses or larger groups on paper when it's been performing the same all along and you've not changed anything in your shooting or cleaning routine then it's probably time to order a new barrel. Mine probably has about 2000 rounds I've put thru it and who knows how many before I got it when it was a 6.5tcu barrel.

You could have it checked if you have a buddy or shop with a bore scope but if it's getting up in age (round count) start saving your pennies for a new barrel to save yourself a lot of aggravation and low scores and get the new barrel put on.

Topstrap

 

[Mark Walker]

Re: When to replace barrel because of wear

Depends on the barrel. I have had some slowly start to toss shots out of the normal group, and I have had some that went from shooting just like always to double that size right in the middle of a match.

Either way, you'll know if you're paying attention. ;-)

 

[Trental]

Re: When to replace barrel because of wear

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark Walker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depends on the barrel. I have had some slowly start to toss shots out of the normal group, and I have had some that went from shooting just like always to double that size right in the middle of a match.

Either way, you'll know if you're paying attention. ;-) </div></div>

I've had this same experience.

 

[Deej]

Re: When to replace barrel because of wear

if notice it opening up can alwayys chop it and rechamber. doesn't last as long but get ya buy for a bit. sometimes seating the bullets out .010" further will tell ya also. barrels are like women hard to predict them.

 

[Killshot44]

Re: When to replace barrel because of wear

Barrels ARE like women. The good ones cost more and they're all replaceable.

F-Class puts a lot of rounds thru in a short period of time. 20 shots in 5-7 mins. Hard on throats. It's a barrel a season for most.

As the others have said, you'll start seeing 9s instead of Xs and you'll know it is time.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: When to replace barrel because of wear

replace the barrel when chasing the throat isn't working anymore and you cannot hold 1/2 MOA or better.
pretty simple.