how do i tell if my barrel is worn out

[Hard Water]

gun just doesn't shoot well anymore , don't really know whats up .
barrel worn out ?
not sure how to tell ....

[elkhunter11]

Chambering?
Number of rounds fired?
What copper solvent do you use?
Any damage to the crown?
Have you checked the scope mounts?
Have you checked the action screws?
Have you tried another scope?

[gitrdun]

A sure sign is when bullets tumble and keyhole, but that is extreme. What are your symptoms?

[gitrdun]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Chambering?
Number of rounds fired?
What copper solvent do you use?
Any damage to the crown?
Have you checked the scope mounts?
Have you checked the action screws?
Have you tried another scope?

Grasping at straws, surely the elimination process need not be that extended. Let's hear his story.

[elkhunter11]

Grasping at straws, surely the elimination process need not be that extended. Let's hear his story.

Not grasping at straws at all, just trying to establish the number of rounds fired, and the chambering, as well as ruling out some of the most common causes, for people to assume that a barrel is shot out. Past experience indicates, that in many cases, the barrel is not really shot out at all.

[deanmc]

There are a bunch of reasons your rifle could shoot poorly. But to answer your question, the best way to tell if your barrel (throat actually) is worn out is to have it bore-scoped.

[Jameson340]

9 times out of 10 its a copper fouling issue.

[deanmc]

Originally Posted by Jameson340

9 times out of 10 its a copper fouling issue.

Hmmmmmmm. I agree that it could be copper fouling but 9/10? Could be ammo, scope, mounts, bases, crown damage,torque of action screws, warped stock from humidity, trigger problems,etc.

[KegRiver]

A armory officer with the PPCLI once told me that a typical hunting rifle should take 3,000 to 5,000 rounds before there would be a detectable reduction in accuracy.
However, the hotter the round the shorter the life of the barrel. If you are shooting one of the super hot rounds like a 338 Lupua you may get considerably less where as a 30-30 might go 10,000 or more.

It does indeed depend on the cartridge, the particular load and even the barrel dimensions.

But from what I've been told, you should get over 10,000 rounds out of most barrels in the common calibers before the deterioration would adversely effect hunting accuracy. If you are a competitive shooter, the life of your barrel would be considerably less, because the standards would be much higher.

[deanmc]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

A armory officer with the PPCLI once told me that a typical hunting rifle should take 3,000 to 5,000 rounds before there would be a detectable reduction in accuracy.
However, the hotter the round the shorter the life of the barrel. If you are shooting one of the super hot rounds like a 338 Lupua you may get considerably less where as a 30-30 might go 10,000 or more.

It does indeed depend on the cartridge, the particular load and even the barrel dimensions.

But from what I've been told, you should get over 10,000 rounds out of most barrels in the common calibers before the deterioration would adversely effect hunting accuracy. If you are a competitive shooter, the life of your barrel would be considerably less, because the standards would be much higher.

He doesnt say what his rifle is chambered in. A 30-30 is almost invincible, a 22-250 with hot loads in a gopher patch can be burnt out in 500 rounds if the shooter isnt aware or doesnt care how barrel heat can shorten its life.

[DaleJ]

Originally Posted by Hard Water

gun just doesn't shoot well anymore , don't really know whats up .
barrel worn out ?
not sure how to tell ....

Slug the barrel with a pure lead bullet, looking for sections of "open or worn out rifling". Chances are the muzzle has been exposed to moisture and dust and just a little trim and re-crown will have it shooting again.

[DaleJ]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Chambering?
Number of rounds fired?
What copper solvent do you use?
Any damage to the crown?
Have you checked the scope mounts?
Have you checked the action screws?
Have you tried another scope?

Too much coffee, Rambo?
You're speeding.

[elkhunter11]

Might be a blowgun, Rambo

Then he should lend it to you to test, seeing as how you seem to have an abundance of hot air tonight.

[deanmc]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Then he should lend it to you to test, seeing as how you seem to have an abundance of hot air tonight.

BURN! Lol

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by deanmc

He doesnt say what his rifle is chambered in. A 30-30 is almost invincible, a 22-250 with hot loads in a gopher patch can be burnt out in 500 rounds if the shooter isnt aware or doesnt care how barrel heat can shorten its life.

Yeah. That is the way I understand it.

[roger]

-let someone else shoot it who is what you consider 'an accomplished shooter', maybe your flinching or have developed a teeny tiny bad habit that has huge implications and its not the gun at all.
-too much/not enough torque on the action screws.
-pressure points on forearm (if its free floating) or vice versa
-wrong ammo (eg:270 win instead of 280rem) (hope not!)

[Cappy]

I just re-barreled one of my match .308's. It was more then accurate for hunting, still shooting at about MOA or slightly better. It had 5800 rounds down the barrel and that was hard driving it, sometimes getting it hotter then it should while shooting Tac rifle matches etc. Depending on your calibre, it is pretty difficult to shoot a barrel on a hunting rifle out. Typically in my experience when guys bring "shot out barrel" to me to give the once over it is something else. Usually a very fouled barrel.

[Cow Town Bill]

See if you can find someone with a bore scope---a quick look can tell a lot especially if it is just dirty.

[roger]

i had a friend who said his gun was shooting a shotgun style pattern.
as the cleaning procedure began it soon became apparent why.
the last three inches of the bbl was 'larger' than the rest of the bore.
it had this blunderbus shaped crown.
anyways cut off three inches and was back on track.

[SkytopBrewster]

Take it to a gunsmith, he can clean it, scope it, check crown etc.