Thread: 3 identical factory rifles

Originally Posted by Tentman

And the third candidate is in, on loan from a forumite who uses it for professional night shooting - I fitted a reliable old 4.5-27 scope in lieu of his NV gear. It will have a decent round count, maybe 1000-1500 but since 223 barrels routinely last into the high 3000s I don't think it's an issue. I do have an offer to borescope them, but since that's not readily available to most shooters I'm not pursuing it yet.

Attachment 281441

Have you seen a .223 barrel retired in the 3000 round range?

Hornady's (questionable) data suggests more like 7000

Mine has somewhere around 3000-4000 on it with no visible deterioration through borescope or on targets. I havent kept track at all really.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

Just an idea, kind of haven't thought it through, but I'd like to see some cold bore tests. Select a regular hunting type round that shot well in that rifle, zero the scope, then shoot five cold bore shots on successive days. One shot at the same target.

Anyone can do this with any rifle, it doesn't need 3 identical. I started a thread a year ago.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....llenge-107010/

Originally Posted by gimp

Have you seen a .223 barrel retired in the 3000 round range?

Hornady's (questionable) data suggests more like 7000

Mine has somewhere around 3000-4000 on it with no visible deterioration through borescope or on targets. I havent kept track at all really.

I bought a "shot out" Howa 223 off Headcase many years ago, he was sure the round count was 4000 ish and it was indeed toast . . .

Originally Posted by Tentman

I bought a "shot out" Howa 223 off Headcase many years ago, he was sure the round count was 4000 ish and it was indeed toast . . .

with a Howa, are you sure you could tell the difference ?

Originally Posted by gimp

with a Howa, are you sure you could tell the difference ?

Ouch!

Round count alone is only one of many variable that contribute to "toasting" a barrel

I have a rifle in the workshop that is as "toasted" it is almost pure carbon.
First third is 1/10 second third is 2/10 and final third ( the most important because it lets the bullet free ) just not there !
Wouldn't even rate 0/10

Honestly it's hard to get a nitro barrel that bad and my guess it's NEVER been cleaned

So round count is only one indicator

Originally Posted by Tentman

The only rubbish is the stuff you post here mate.

I couldnt really agree with you on that one.
Youve posted about a dozen groups so far and only one would be acceptable for hunting in the 100-150m bracket.
Its up to you to show a Howa can be Ok. Not done yet.

Hunting what??? Anything bigger than a hare would still be in big trouble even with the worst grouping.... You may have missed the size of the diamond....it's not that big.

Up to about 0.2mil mean radius is still absolutely fine for high hit probability hunting out to 300m.

Originally Posted by Bagheera

I couldnt really agree with you on that one.
Youve posted about a dozen groups so far and only one would be acceptable for hunting in the 100-150m bracket.
Its up to you to show a Howa can be Ok. Not done yet.

It's funny how people who comment on other peoples groups post so few of their own shooting efforts, makes me think that their supposed accuracy exists only in their minds . . .

Originally Posted by Tentman

It's random, 33mm outside, 22.5 inside

Now look again.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Hunting what??? Anything bigger than a hare would still be in big trouble even with the worst grouping.... You may have missed the size of the diamond....it's not that big.

Yup, I admit to being an accuracy snob but all three rifles with all but the ammo that is worst in them is quite capable of bowling wallabies, goats and deer at sensible ranges . . . And with their best ammo they will give any factory rifle including the snobby ones like Sakos etc a run for their money in terms of hunting accuracy

Let's not confuse precision and accuracy. Accuracy is just a matter of sight adjustments

OK precision then. How does this do . . . .



Shot with a 2.8kg rifle that cost $900 at 100M using factory ammo

Raw data for candidate #3. This rifle routinely bowls rabbits to 200M at night in the hands of its professional night shooter owner.

There are clues as to how he does it in te groups posted.