barrel life.

I had a gunsmith tell me that about 2000 rounds out of any wsm and the barrel is shot. Anybody know anything about this and is that a low number.. Thanks

I've always heard that the barrel life is considerably less than say a 308, but I'm not sure about 2k rds. If a WSM is what you really want, then get it and worry about round counts later. A little barrel work isnt' THAT expensive in the grand scheme of things.

Do the basic math on what 2000 rounds of ammo will cost you vs a barrel replacement and you'll see the new barrel will be a minor issue.

I would say he is full of it if he stands by the "any" WSM. A 6mm WSM would be lucky to get to 1,200 rounds! A 375 or 416 WSM would be hard pressed to ever be worn out by shooting.

It also depends on usage... competitive long range shooters using say, a 7 WSM for F-class running string-fire may consider a barrel done in as little as 700-800rds, while someone using it for long range hunting may be able to extend that out to 1500+ while maintaining a similar level of precision - just firing fewer rounds at any one time and never getting the barrel hot.

At 43,000 cup the peak flame temperature is just reaching the melting point of the steel modern barrels are made from. The higher the heat the more erosion you will have, a .303 British Enfield rifle that shot cordite powder that had more nitroglycerin than many pistols powders today had 2000 round life expectancy.

On the other hand a .303 Vickers machine gun firing single base nitrocellulose powder ammunition had a barrel life expectancy of 10,000 rounds and that was at 46,000 cup or 49,000 psi.

"HEAT" is what kills your barrels, and your powder choice has its effect on barrel life expectancy.