Why is my .223 bull barrel getting so hot?

[DanSavage]

I have an aftermarket 7 twist SS bull barrel that seems to heat up rather fast, have any of you had this issue before? It will shoot a 3 shot bug hole then POI seems to change, it's under MOA though but I wasn't expecting fast heating issue out of a .223. Could it be that the barrel needs more break in? Or the twist is too fast? I've probably have 150 rounds through it. I shot OCW with 75 grain Hornady BTHP and Varget Min. to Max. with no pressure signs and settled at 23.1 grains of Varget shot real well in the test but was no good for match's. I also tried 69 SMK with AA2495 21-24.5 grain's with no pressure signs and settled on 21. Went out today with my kids and I shot the first 3 rounds of the 69 SMK load into a .213 group. We took are time and shot 20 rounds in 45 minutes. No groups over 1 inch at 100 yards but POI did change and barrel was still pretty warm when we got home about 20 minutes later. Just for reference I was getting 2830 fps with 23.1 of Varget and 75 Hornady Match bullet with Lapua brass.

Any help would be great,

Dan

[bootsmcguire]

Varget is a pretty hot burning powder and can heat up a barrel pretty quick, but not normally like that and not normally in a small chamber like a 223. Your faster twist shouldn't be causing that either. SS once it gets hot it stays hot for a bit, I work with steel and SS in my job. 20 rounds in 45 min isn't too fast though, but a heavy barrel once it gets hot it stays hot for awhile due to all the mass in the barrel. I would try your 3 shots and then let it set for at least 15 min with the bolt open and see if that makes a difference. Just a slight experiment to help eliminate at least 1 variable.

[DanSavage]

I will try that Boots, my hopes was to have a competitive .223 F/TR barrel, you need 20 some shots in a half hour before cool down time. My .308's don't have these heat issue's.

The Accurate 2495 seem's to be just as hot as Varget, and I can't tell witch one is more accurate, both are good.

[bootsmcguire]

It seems a bit of a mystery to me as well, I have had 12FV barrels in 223 and I ran Varget and RL15 and I could shoot a lot faster than that, but I just figure start with the simple and work forward in this case.

[DanSavage]

You know, now that I think about it I may need to back off a little more on the charges, being that I'm using Lapua brass, I set the headspace nice and snug on virgin brass also the chamber has the SAMMI short throat. I'm all ready running close to min. but tighter head space and thick brass may be making her run a little on the hot side.

[bootsmcguire]

Now that may be something to look into also. Perhaps drop down to your lower accuracy node for charge weights and then head to the range and see how fast she heats up.

[DanSavage]

I think I've got it under control now, I went a little under book min. and found that 20.9 of AA2495 with the 69 SMK shoots tight and consistent. I shot the 75 Hornady again and it shot like crap,, just ordered 500 of the 69 gr. SMK's. There was a steady breeze today and the barrel didn't seem to get all that hot.

Dan

[SFLEFTY]

Good analysis you guys!

[bootsmcguire]

Glad to hear it there Dan.

[MARK25-06]

Dan, i got my barrel the same week you got yours. i was loading 26.0 gr. of varget down to 24.0 gr. and it shot fantastic, then i read your thread about you getting your barrel and loading 23 gr. of varget ,seemed kinda low but i tried it anyway. i shot 40 rounds in 20 minutes at 600 yards in a 4" group with exactly 17 moa. barrel was just warm.it was about 70 degrees and sunny. i also tried 90 gr. bergers with 24.0 gr. varget, same drop as the 75 gr. great barrel! MARK25-06

[DanSavage]

Thanks for the response guys, I am very happy with the groups I have been getting now, glad to hear that you got a good shooter as well MARK25-06!

[shiyfire]

I get good accuracy and velocity with 24.4 varget with a 75 grain hornady in my savage and Remington .223

[acemisser]

H 4895 for me and the 69 gr SMK....24.5 GR with cci 400 prime

[cranebird]

I'm getting stupid good accuracy with 24.5 gr of Varget and the cheapest bullet I could find, Hornady 55 gr sp $10.99 per 100. I may shoot them all up before I get the AI barrel on to fire form the brass with.

[DanSavage]

I'm getting stupid good accuracy with 24.5 gr of Varget and the cheapest bullet I could find, Hornady 55 gr sp $10.99 per 100. I may shoot them all up before I get the AI barrel on to fire form the brass with.

Well you'll just have to prove it on the 17th at Odessa! LOL

[DanSavage]

Was out deer hunting tonight and saw a couple monster bucks, I got a picture of the big boy, I'll try to post a pic soon. The damage permits are only good for doe's,

[foxx]

Need any help???!!!

[cranebird]

Well you'll just have to prove it on the 17th at Odessa! LOL

Well there is a problem with that.Wednesday, with a little luck,my go gage will arrive.I doubt the3-9 that I'm using is gonna shoot 250 yards competitively or should I say with me behind it.Ima gonna try to break this barrel in right.I very well may ride up Saturday though.I have dozen .140 detent balls to give you anyways....You are lucky the shoot wasn't this weekend at Odessa, could you imagine the nascar people traffic ?

[cranebird]

Are you going to post a pic of the buck or no ?

[DanSavage]

The buck was about 250 yards away, there was another buck a little smaller rack to the left more,, he was looking directly at me,, just as I snapped the photo he started to turn his head and you can see his hind quarter muscle flexing as both bucks trotted to the left to the end of the field about 350 yards away. My camera is a cheap Sanyo,, today's cell phones can take better pictures.LOL

He's still in some velvet.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a542/243Wilson/F-Class134_zps89fe5195.jpg (http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/243Wilson/media/F-Class134_zps89fe5195.jpg.html)