6mm Creedmoor barrel advice

[Bergara 6mm]

So I am 1000 rounds into my 6mm creed bergara Hmr pro. Shoots awesome (have had some blown primers with Hornady Match 108 eld though—hornady nor bergara have any answers for this). Velocity has increased almost 100 f/s since it was new.
My question is what should I look for in degradation and time to replace. Also, what is the best method/vendor that would be recommended when it is time. Fortunately I bought the identical rifle for my son, and he has not become obsessed as much as I have. So I have a backup when the time comes!!

All advice is much appreciated!

 

[Codiekfx400]

I am pretty sure Bergara will rebarrel the Rifle for $500 call and talk to them.

 

[Barney88PDC]

Shoot it until the accuracy or velocity fall off past where you are comfortable with. Then have a competent gunsmith who is familiar with that brand rebarrel it for you. It really that simple. If the factory can do it for $500 then you'd be very hard pressed to beat that price.

 

[Bergara 6mm]

Thanks Barney!

 

[Sogan]

Shoot it until the accuracy or velocity fall off past where you are comfortable with. Then have a competent gunsmith who is familiar with that brand rebarrel it for you. It really that simple. If the factory can do it for $500 then you'd be very hard pressed to beat that price.

$500 would be a great deal if that includes them installing it etc. Be sure to ask about the turn around time and take that into consideration

 

[CJS-6.5]

Also if you are happy with the performance of the factory barrel use them again. If not then research barrels and take the one you decided on to your local smith. However Bergara is known for their great barrels.

 

[Dthomas3523]

So I am 1000 rounds into my 6mm creed bergara Hmr pro. Shoots awesome (have had some blown primers with Hornady Match 108 eld though—hornady nor bergara have any answers for this). Velocity has increased almost 100 f/s since it was new.
My question is what should I look for in degradation and time to replace. Also, what is the best method/vendor that would be recommended when it is time. Fortunately I bought the identical rifle for my son, and he has not become obsessed as much as I have. So I have a backup when the time comes!!

All advice is much appreciated!

Probably have a carbon ring if it’s blowing primers and has sped up.

Barrels will typically speed up within the first 1-200 rounds, but if it speeds up significantly (non temperature related), it’s likely a carbon ring causing pressure around the neck. That’s what’s causing the primers to blow.

I had similar issue at around 1k with 6 creed. Even went as far as having it set back and chambered again. Here is a 100 yd target after I starting having the pressure problems and velocity increase (after the cleaning and set back work).

Either buy a borescope or have your smith check the barrel for fire cracking.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Also, as far as what to look for in a barrel going out, depends on your use for the rifle.

If you’re just target shooting and couldn’t care less if you have a bad day, keep and eye on the velocity so you can adjust your ballistic software. Once the accuracy is not up to your standard, trash it.

If you’re competing and don’t want surprises during a match, once the velocity takes a fairly large hit, either trash it or use it for practice/hunting, whatever.

If you don’t, there’s a good chance it’s going to take another hit while you’re at a match. Once they take the first velocity decrease, it continually takes hits.

Also having a good borescope and knowing what to look for helps a lot.

 

[Bergara 6mm]

I have also been in touch with Hornady, and after giving them all my data; the sent me a couple of boxes from a different lot. 10 shot chrono was 100 ft/sec slower. Similar environment same range. Was having several blown primers in each box with 108gr eld, but still good accuracy.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I have also been in touch with Hornady, and after giving them all my data; the sent me a couple of boxes from a different lot. 10 shot chrono was 100 ft/sec slower. Similar environment same range. Was having several blown primers in each box with 108gr eld, but still good accuracy.

I can’t tell from your post, did you still get blown primers with the new lot they sent you?

 

[Bergara 6mm]

I did not.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Any chance you have the lot number that was blowing primers?

 

[Bergara 6mm]

Sure do 3182270

 

[Dthomas3523]

I’m 90% sure that is the same lot I blew primers with.

 

[Bergara 6mm]

I wonder if there are others......

 

[Matt_3479]

I’d shoot it until accuracy begins to fall way out before I start considering rebarreling. 500 doesn’t seem bad as long as that includes install. Otherwise I’d look at benchmark or Bartlein Barrels personally.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I wonder if there are others......

You might try a different load to see if you get a similar result. My experience with the Hornady 6mm Creedmoor ammo is 1 box of the 87gr Vmax (no blown primers), one box of 108gr ELD-M (no down primers), plus attending a match earlier this year where PVA sponsored a stage with their pre production John Hancock rifle in 6mm Creedmoor and brought a couple cases of 108r ELD-M which was run by about 80-90 shoots 10 rounds each with no cool down period and even with all that heat I didn't see anyone blowing any primers.

I can tell you that the lot of the Federal Gold Medal 6mm Creedmoor 105gr Hybrid ammo that I received a case of is very accurate, has an ultra low ES/SD, and has no signs of pressure in my rifle. Might be worth picking up a box of it to try. I ordered mine from Selway Armory, there's a good chance that whatever they have left is the same lot.