300 wsm barrel life

[shooter12]

Hello 300wsm users!
How many rounds are you getting out of this calibre with a good for hunting accuracy ?
Say 1' at 100 yds and less?
Asking this question because, one of my hunting rifles Winchester 300 wsm has reached 2000 rounds with a full power loads recently and everyone I was talking to is saying that its time to replace the barrel.
I just get back from the shooting range today and it still gives me 5" groups at 500m consistently.
All what I was doing is to increase the CoAL and add a bit of powder every 200-300 rounds .
That's all.
So , does anyone know what is a max life expectancy on this barrel?
Thanks!

[260 Rem]

Your barrel should be good for another 200 rounds. If it is still MOA at 2200...continue.

[shooter12]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

Your barrel should be good for another 200 rounds. If it is still MOA at 2200...continue.

Continue until ??
Any idea ?

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by shooter12

Continue until ??
Any idea ?

Until you can't anymore

[shooter12]

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

Until you can't anymore

We are talking about the barrel/calibre here...Not me..lol

[Dick284]

Barrel life isn't easily defined.
If your prone to shooting rounds like washing machine gun Charlie, you'll get crap life outta any tube.

If you go slow, don't hot rod, and don't abuse the throat by using a bore guide, you'll wring out the max life span you can.

You should be able to get at least 2500 rounds out of this chambering....if!

What's your borescope say?

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by shooter12

Continue until ??
Any idea ?

Well, a rifle consistently grouping 5” @ 500M is likely capable of about 3/4 MOA at 100M which is IMO outstanding for a factory hunting rig...especially in a 300 magnum. So, if at 2200 rounds you are getting 1MOA, you still have a capable hunting rig.

[shooter12]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Barrel life isn't easily defined.
If your prone to shooting rounds like washing machine gun Charlie, you'll get crap life outta any tube.

If you go slow, don't hot rod, and don't abuse the throat by using a bore guide, you'll wring out the max life span you can.

You should be able to get at least 2500 rounds out of this chambering....if!

What's your borescope say?

Thanks Dick 284!
This is what I was thinking more or less I could get out of this barrel.
I was not expecting any miracles out of a regular win 70 barrel in this chambering and was told 800,1000, 1500 rounds out of it is all what I could get.
But its over 2k right now and I think you are right that somewhere around 2500 it will be all over .
Yes , the barrel was treated properly all the time , no overheating and always cleaned on time properly.
I 've never checked it with a borescope , because its not a barrel for competition, but strictly a light sporter for hunting and 1" or 1.25 is plenty enough for my type of hunting.

[shooter12]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

Well, a rifle consistently grouping 5” @ 500M is likely capable of about 3/4 MOA at 100M which is IMO outstanding for a factory hunting rig...especially in a 300 magnum. So, if at 2200 rounds you are getting 1MOA, you still have a capable hunting rig.

Yes,
Surprisingly it is.
Went with my daughter to cut a Christmas tree today and of course took our guns .
Still could get around 1 Moa up to 300 yds with sierra 200 gk .
Did not shot any further as wind started to pick up and it was getting late..

[markg]

If your worried about it visit a smith that has a bore scope and let them have a look at it.

[Redneck 7]

I'd say your barrel has lot of life in my eyes, sounds like it was taken care of and still shoots great groups. Especially for a hunting rig, that barrel is at "max round count" but shoots better then most new rifles do in many shooters hand.

I'd start worrying when your groups open up to a point where you're not comfortable harvesting game with the style you hunt. Good luck with the barrel but I think you're doing great still.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by shooter12

Hello 300wsm users!
How many rounds are you getting out of this calibre with a good for hunting accuracy ?
Say 1' at 100 yds and less?
Asking this question because, one of my hunting rifles Winchester 300 wsm has reached 2000 rounds with a full power loads recently and everyone I was talking to is saying that its time to replace the barrel.
I just get back from the shooting range today and it still gives me 5" groups at 500m consistently.
All what I was doing is to increase the CoAL and add a bit of powder every 200-300 rounds .
That's all.
So , does anyone know what is a max life expectancy on this barrel?
Thanks!

I would say you have answered your own question better than anyone else can. Doesn't matter average, average combines far too many extremes to be of much use. What matters is this specific barrel. When it quits shooting tight enough for your needs and you can't seat the bullets out any farther she is pretty much done. Hopefully you get as good service out of the next one.

I have had 300 Win Mag barrels that lasted 1200 rounds and others that last 5,500. Most lasted 2500 to 3200 but many went over 4000. If you averaged them all together you would get around 3000, but this would not account well for the many many outliers.

[Drewski Canuck]

Believe it or not, a lot of barrel erosion is at the end of the barrel!!!

If it is sloppy and loose groups you are complaining of, re crown the barrel (A fancy tool that cuts the end of the barrel to the points that the rifling is again "crisp"). You would be surprised at how much accuracy is restored by that simple fix.

If it is still to loose for your liking, you really are not out much on cost as you need a new barrel anyway.

Drewski