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Buying a second hand .223
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2019 5:41 pm
by Gazza
Whats an acceptable round count for a second hand .223?
I'm looking at a rifle with approx 1000 rounds through it, is this OK?
How many rounds can you put through a .223 before a re barrel is necessary?
Re: Buying a second hand .223
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:07 pm
by dromia
Really depends on the loadings, high velocity, high temperature, high pressure loads will wear out the barrel (freebore) far quicker than moderate/light loadings.
Bullets down the barrel take a long time to wear it out, cast bullet shot barrels will almost last for ever.
Re: Buying a second hand .223
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:14 pm
by Racalman
I have a Remington 700 PSS which I shoot exclusively with handloads (69gn SMK + N133).
I put nearly 15,000 rounds through it before it needed a new barrel.
Re: Buying a second hand .223
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2019 9:45 pm
by WelshShooter
I bought my CZ used so cannot comment on previous owners round count, but I've since put over 2,200 rounds through it and I am still getting sub MOA accuracy at 100m. I'm using pretty much close to published maximum 223 loads for a 69gr bullet.
Re: Buying a second hand .223
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2019 8:35 am
by shugie
From (expensive) personal experience, I'd want to borescope anything bought second hand.
Re: Buying a second hand .223
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 6:37 pm
by Lancs_Oakley
1000 rounds should be fine in almost all cases unless you are looking for 100% perfect barrel, in which case you would need to buy new. Personally I would not even worry about round counts on a target rifle for at least 5k and for "duty" work more like 20k.
As with most things when it comes to metal on metal wear you are actually ok until you start to degrade the surface then the wear process can actually come on pretty quickly.