How Many before Barrel is "Shot Out?"
I know this may have been answered at some time but I can't find any reference to this subject.
As a general rule of thumb, how many rounds of PROPER ammo should you be able to expect a barrel on an M-1 Garand rifle to last and still retain some degree of accuracy?
I'm asking this so you can assume REASONABLE care and cleaning would be done to the rifle. Also, assume the barrel being NEW at the start and of GI vintage. Would you expect 20,000...or more or less? Any reference material known to exist? What's your opinion, or preferably, your personal experience? Thanks!
As a general rule of thumb, how many rounds of PROPER ammo should you be able to expect a barrel on an M-1 Garand rifle to last and still retain some degree of accuracy?
I'm asking this so you can assume REASONABLE care and cleaning would be done to the rifle. Also, assume the barrel being NEW at the start and of GI vintage. Would you expect 20,000...or more or less? Any reference material known to exist? What's your opinion, or preferably, your personal experience? Thanks!
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Define usefull life.
In a precision (bolt action) target type 30-06 5-6,000 rounds and the group size will double, but at that point it is still more than accurate enough for hunting. IE: Most hunters won't complain about a barrel that's "only" 1 MOA capable.
For Garand level accuracy, 15-20000 rounds would not be a unreasonable number, but to get there your going to have to limit the amount of rapid fire. Overheating of the barrel increases the throat erosion, reducing the life expectancy of any rifle, as does muzzle wear from poor cleaning technique.
One of the posters has a 308 match Garand that (as I remember) has somthing like 20,000 rounds through it, and it's still shooting 2MOA (no brag on his part, I've shot the rifle and seen the groups it produces)
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Thanks Tailgunner. The problem with what I'm asking certainly is there are so many variables to the possibility. I didn't mention rapid fire as that could be as many as one clip or a dozen or so, depending on who might be judging. I was just sort of pondering what one might expect what a "normal," (whatever that is), type of scenario might be.
Certainly wouldn't want to warm it up enough to provide for "cook off" and something like that wouldn't be of any practical use. Just sort of thinking "plinking" or target shooting, whatever. Don't expect to wear out a Garand but I also don't want to compromise it either.0 -
What I have heard is similar to Tailgunner1954's figures. I shot with a National Match M1 on a USAR rifle team. I recall the armorers saying the rifle would shoot very accurately for 5,000 rounds then accuracy would begin tapering off until at 10,000 rounds it would probably not be accurate enough for match competition. We were shooting the National Match Course which included a stage that was 10 rounds in 50 seconds and another with 10 rounds in 60 seconds. This was not considered enough to damage the bore. The Active Army rifle teams had different rifles to fire in the Infantry Trophy Match from those used in the National Match Course. The Inf. Trophy course was fired all rapid fire that allowed numerous rounds fired in 60 seconds. Good shooters could get off 3 clips (24 rounds) in the time allowed. This rapid firing would cause excessive erosion to the bore, as Tailgunner 1954 described. 0 -
The advice you have received is correct in all respects. To add to it a bit more, consider:
There is a reason upper and lower handguards are installed on military rifles - to keep your tender hands away from the hot barrel after sustained fire. Most sporting rifles do not have these, as the firing rate is assumed to be at a sedate pace.
Nothing destroys a barrel faster than heat and/or dirty ammo.
Picture a cutting torch cutting metal. You have heat and some pressure. Once the metal reaches proper temprature, it begins to displace and remove the metal. Same thing happens when you rapidly fire cartridges in a firearm. In time, the metal retains heat and each succeeding round just adds to the heat/pressure/cutting torch effect.
A standard Garand barrel fired in normal course fire with measured rates of fire and intervals between relays should last the projected 5,000 rounds of (clean) ammo before being adversely affected.
Take the same Garand with the heat holding handguards surrounding the barrel, subject it to rapid fire (about as fast as you can pull the trigger and realign on the target) for several enbloc clips of ammo and you're doing severe harm to the bore.
I've witnessed unknowing folks at the range shooting semi and full automatic firearms until the barrel and surrounding wood is smoking. They are laughing and having a big time. Unfortunately, the barrel is ruined and they just don't realize it.
If you want the barrel to last a bit, pace yourself, don't use maximum or over maximum loads, never let the barrel heat to the point you can't keep your hand on it without undue discomfort and clean it regularily. Be surprised just how long the accuracy continues.
Keep off the Ridgeline0 -
Thanks everyone! Quite informative and enlightening!!! 0
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