How many is too many?

[gixer1]

For a centrefire range day - how many rounds would you say is too many?

And which chamberings would you say handle high round counts most effectively?

I would think something like 308, 223 but would a 6.5cm for example handle the round could have a 223?

The above is based on average velocities, not too end velocities.

 

[Malxwal]

A lot of variables, but 308 & 223 regarded as long life. I'll happily go through 50-100 with my 284 which as you know runs a bit hot. Barrels are for using

 

[63]

Unless you’re very wealthy I suspect you’ll run out of money for ammo long before you run out of barrel.

I’ve put over a thousand rounds through a 223 semi in a day, and seen similar done with 308. I guess the only potential issue is if you get the barrel so hot it starts to damage it, but that seems unlikely unless you make a determined effort to. There’s various YouTube videos of people melting machine gun barrels etc. to give a sense of how much effort that would take with a bolt action rifle.

Obviously, a super light profile barrel with a barrel burning calibre will be at the opposite end of the risk/likelihood of issue spectrum from a heavy barrelled 223/308, but personally I would worry overmuch.

 

[Rasputin]

When I used to frequent the range pre shoulder op. Would take roughly 50 small cal and 25 large cal.

Now if shooting the .270 from a bench can’t shoot any more than 10 before I start to flinch the 6.5 about 20.

 

[gixer1]

I shoot on average 50 per range session but I have a number of days coming up where it may be higher numbers.

Usually the sessions are full days so shouldn’t be “hot barrel” or long shot string type scenarios.

My rifles always get a full clean after sessions.

 

[8x57]

Go for quality over quantity every time.
Better to shoot 10 good considered shots developing and practising good technique rather than to blast away 100 poor shots that only reinforce sloppy poor shooting technique.

 

[Jagged77]

I usually take two or three rifles and generally shoot 25 to 50 rounds each. .308 and .223 fun and economical to shoot plus are renowned for high round counts before needing to be rebarrelled. The CM will burn through a barrel a little faster so it’s up to you how much you shoot it!

 

[gixer1]

Go for quality over quantity every time.
Better to shoot 10 good considered shots developing and practising good technique rather than to blast away 100 poor shots that only reinforce sloppy poor shooting technique.

It’s not from that perspective - the number of rounds are governed by what comps/disciplines you are shooting.

 

[Malxwal]

I would agree to some extent, a pause for reflection, rather than just getting frustrated and throwing rounds downrange, is beneficial (got that T-shirt).

 

[dropmdead]

I'll throw a few things in -
Stainless probably has a less lifespan than chromoly, but accuracy may be a % less, but if we aren't competing it's not important.
If using factory ammo, 308 can manage high numbers for the life.
Powder choices and speed help defines barrel life too. By knocking off 100fps or so can add significant round count to the barrel.

 

[8x57]

It’s not from that perspective - the number of rounds are governed by what comps/disciplines you are shooting.

If shooting in competition then I will obviously take additional ammo to allow for shoot offs or re-shoots etc. But if merely practising for competitions I would generally just concentrate on each individual section and shoot that section four maybe five times depending on the number of rounds in each practise.
Slow and deliberate in training is good for both the shooter and the rifle. Speed will develop with time once you've got your technique right and developed muscle memory. If possible and realistic it's better and cheaper to train with mainly small-bore to reduce wear and tears (and cost) on both the shooter and the rifle.

 

[Outback]

Generally on our 300/500/600 days shooting a detale at these distances then a butts detale for the other guys generally 25 rounds as I would only shoot 5 at 300 to sort the windage , concentrating on the two interesting distances , For competitions two sighters to covert if good then the remainding 10 to score .