Nosler M-48

[chipper]

How many rounds will a M-48 take before the barrell wears out, I was at the range the other day and some guy said around 2000. I would think it would be at least double that if not more if you take good care of the barrell, ie never get it hot and always good cleaning.

 

[DrMike]

There are intangibles at work which will determine the answer to your question. Hot loads erode the throat more rapidly. Failure to keep the throat and barrel clean dispose the throat to erosion. Shooting a rifle until it is cooked does not do it any good. Generally, the more powder burned and the more restrictive the bore diameter, the less barrel life anticipated. Thus, all else being equal, a barrel of a 30-06 will last longer than the barrel on a 300 Weatherby. However, barrel life on the magnum can outlast most of us if we will take care of the rifle. I'm shooting a 7mm RM that has had well over 3000 rounds through it. It still shoots 3/4 inch groups with a 175 grain Partition or a 175 grain TBBC. That is satisfactory for me, but it may be considered "shot out" by others who expect a higher degree of accuracy. Everything else being equal (I keep using that phrase), I would expect a 257 Roberts to outlast a 257 STW. Rather a straight forward way of straddling the fence, but without more specifics from you, it will be impossible to give a definitive answer. What cartridge? How often do you shoot? What sort of loads are you pushing through the rifle?

 

[chipper]

After breakin, test some 150 BT couple hundred rounds, settled on 180 ab with 62 grains of H4350, started with 59 gr of N550, tried 165 AB with IMR4350 about 50 rounds, I'M sorry all this is a .300wsm, never shot over 30 rounds without a good cleaning. I have to say I might be around 600 to 800 rounds maybe less. 600 is more acceptable.

 

[DrMike]

Over the years, I've seen a number of figures bandied about. As I said, there are a number of variables that are seldom taken into consideration. I have seen some barrels that were toast after as few as 250 rounds. However, these were seriously overbore cartridges that the shooter failed to keep clean and insisted on shooting as though hunting gophers. On the other hand, I've seen some great old rifles that are still amazingly accurate. In fact, I have a couple hiding out in my safe. If you broke in the barrel properly and keep the rifle clean, and don't insist on full-throttle loads, I'd suspect that you should get considerably more rounds out of your barrel than 2000. You do not appear to be running your loads overly hot, which helps maintain barrel life. I don't know that an individual has to be fanatical about cleaning, but I do clean my rifle after every range session, except when I'm fouling for hunting season, in which case I fire one final round after cleaning. I anticipate that my 300 WSM will give me good service throughout my life and I can give it to my grandchildren for a lifetime of service for one of them.

 

[chipper]

ThanKs Mike, i always read your post and your knowlege is incredible. If you were only by neighbor. Thanks again.

 

[DrMike]

Chipper,

I used to be your neighbour. I grew up in southeast Kansas, about 110 miles from Tulsa. I had an uncle that lived at Spavinaw and in-laws living in Bartlesville.

Knowing that Nosler uses a premium barrel, you have a rifle that will give you excellent service for a long time, provided you treat it properly. It doesn't need to be babied, but it does need to be respected. It will certainly spell the difference between success and failure on occasion when you are hunting; and it is not difficult to imagine situations where it may save your life. Give it plenty of time to cool between shots from the bench, avoid excessive pressures and avoid riding it hard and putting it away wet, and that rifle should last a long time. When you travel to Alaska one day, drop by and have a coffee.

 

[JD338]

Nosler uses Pac Nor barrels on their M48 rifles. The life of the barrel would be directly related to caliber, the load, how often shot (and allowed to cooled) and how clean you keep the barrel.

JD338

 

[chipper]

Interesting, I travel throught Bartlesville where I hunt which is the Osage tall grass north of Pawkuska, I also hunt in Kansas for the last five years near the town of Lyons, in fact leaving for Kansas next week to look for sheds. We have shot some nice Whitetails in the tall grass and in Kansas. Maybe some day I will be able to hunt in Alaska and share some coffee. Send me your e-mail and I will send some pics of some of the deer I have shot. Steve

 

[DrMike]

Well, for certain you have more than enough rifle for those Kansas Whitetails. It is interesting that there were no deer in Kansas when I was growing up. I saw my first deer there on a visit in about 1978. I would be thrilled to own one of the Nosler Legacy rifles. They are handsome and appear to be well made.

 

[chipper]

It shoots good and I have enjoyed reloading, not an expert, just a way to shoot more, the 180AB shoot the best.

 

[bullet]

Powder type will also impact the life of a barrel much less all that has been mentioned above. There is a big difference between the MRP that gives me such a great group with 180gr bullets than Powders like Ramshot Magnum. MRP will wear a barrel out quicker than Ramshot Magnum. In fact until my MRP comes in I went a head and bit the bullet and ordered two pounds of Ramshot Magnum. My reasons are as follows: 1. It is a double based spherical powder that is coated so it is not temp sensitive and should give 15 - 20% longer barrel life than extruded powders like MRP. 2. Also, Mangum is not temp sensitive like other spherical powders and it will not have as much Dev as other ball powders that are temp sensitive; therefore being consistent in accuracy like extruded powders. 3. It is at the top of the velocity chart with Quick Load program along with MRP. 4. It is a very clean burning powder. 5. It will be easier to use as a compressed load than extruded powder.