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.
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