Why is the 6.5-284 considered such a barrel burner, when you look at the numbers compared to a 270 W. , 25-06 or such they should be terrible. Is it the type and speed of shooting it gets in comp. or what?
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Why is the 6.5-284 considered such a barrel burner, when you look at the numbers compared to a 270 W. , 25-06 or such they should be terrible. Is it the type and speed of shooting it gets in comp. or what?
Part of it is probably that they are used for long rang compititions, and as soon as you start to lose your edge you dump the barrel. I've talked to people changing them in 900-1300 rounds. Plus if your using it for something like F-Open, a 22 shot string in 100 degree weather hard on a barrel.
Back in the spring I got a 308 for F-TR, and that barrel gets HOT after 3x22 shot matches. I've put 1k rounds down the tube already, so if I went with a 6.5x284 I'd probably be shopping for barrels now.
We did a 6.5-284 barrel comparison in 2005. They were good to about 1100 rounds.
The part that I don't like about them is that the throat erodes quickly so you also have to chase the seating depth.
Look in the articles section for Project 2005.
There always a price but if you own a race car you might as well race it. My first 6.5x 284 just for hunting still holding 3 under 5/8 or so. built in 1980 1/10 twist shot 120gr at 3250 all I've hunted med game with since my first hunt with it. I have never felt like I made a mistake getting it. Its not my only gun have lots to choose from but I always grab the 6.5 not sure why just trust it I guess.
There is no reason that a 6.5x284 barrel should "burn out" any faster than a 243, 260 or even a 6.5x55AI for that matter. The reputation of being a barrel burner comes from the competition circuit where a lot of max or near max loads are fired quickly. Besides, a lot of competitive shooters are high strung and paranoid anyway. ::) The object in competition is to get the bullet to target in the fastest most accurate manner possible. If the 6.5x284 is used for hunting or general field use and one uses faster powders at less than maximum pressures it should have a relatively long barrel life. (Notice the weasel word "relatively".) Keep pressures and temperatures down and your barrel will love you for it.