Weatherby Barrel Life

Lhedrick1 · Apr 24, 2019

How many rounds can you get out of a .257, 6.5x300, .270 and/or 300 Weatherby mags?

I shoot 3 shot groups in under a minute but wait at least 15 minutes in between groups (longer when temps are warmer than 60 degrees).

Clean the barrel with a copper remover and solvent every 50-100 rounds. Soaked cloth and wire brush. Repeat until cloth is clean coming out the end.

With this shooting regime, how many rounds do you think I could get out of a new Weatherby rifle before accuracy noticeably starts to suffer?

Cahunter805 · Apr 24, 2019

I'd say at least 1500-2000 with the 257,270 and 300wby before accuracy is noticeably worse if you take care of the rifle and don't heat it to much. The 6.5-300 probably 1000 or less.
Barrels are easily replaceable and most people buy a Weatherby for the increased velocity anyway.

Homer · Apr 24, 2019

....is the 257 that much less overbore than the 6.5-300???

Cahunter805 · Apr 24, 2019

The 257wby is based off a shortened 300Wby case like the 240wby and 270wby also. The 6.5-300 is a full size 300wby case necked down.

Lhedrick1 · Apr 24, 2019

Thanks for the info. I've read the 257 to be a barrel burner and the 6.5-300 even worse. I don't have a 6.5 (yet) but I do take extra care to keep the 257 cool.

There seem's to be a ton of talk on the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5-284, and the 6.5 PRC but not really hearing much about Weatherbys 6.5. What gives? Think it's too much recoil and way too expensive to shoot? Or barrel life too short?

BuzzH · Apr 25, 2019

Needs to be more talk about the 260 Remington...hold the over-bore, recoil, and barrel life.

deadibob · Apr 25, 2019

Speed comes at a cost, whether it's guns or hot-rods. How fast do you want to go? You will get 1,000+ out of the 6.5-300 weatherby if you treat it right. I had a 6.5rum and it's bigger and faster than the weatherby. If it starts to lose accuracy have the barrel set-back, rechamber and you're good to go again. After that you can re-barrel. Weatherby barrels have a long throat to begin with to increase accuracy and that will help a bit as well.

Homer · Apr 26, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Apr-26-19 AT 09:04PM (MST)[p]I have a 240 wby and it certainly IS NOT a shortened 300 wby case....it is a one off case....can't be made from anything. 30-06 base diameter....

I am surprised that the 6.5-300 would be measurably worse a barrel burner than the 257....interesting

Cahunter805 · Apr 26, 2019

Homer
You are correct. I forgot the 240wby was Roy?s own creation. It does have the double radius shoulder like the other WBY.
What bullet are you shooting in it? Is it a 10 twist?

Homer · Apr 26, 2019

it is a '70's Mark V...were they 1-10?...I haven't shot it in years and have never reloaded for it.

Zeke · Apr 29, 2019

Off topic a bit but...

My buddy had a 240 Wby and I found it to be a snappy little round and one with which he shot many a fine buck. Other than the Weatherby case shape, it's a bunch like the 24-06 in performance.
He was shooting that when I was using my 25-06 and no deer ever complained about either one.

Barrel life is as much or more how warm/hot you get the barrel when you shoot it than actual round-count. With that said, plan on 1000+/- but the barrel should tell you as accuracy drifts away.

Like Andy said, barrels are relatively cheap even for the good ones. I still try NOT to abuse the hotrods too much.

Zeke

#livelikezac

257Tony · May 1, 2019

I got around 600 out of my 257 before it wouldn't hold a group under 2". I was pretty dumb back then and shot it when it was quite hot, I'm sure I cost myself at least several hundred rounds.

6.5*300 is too much of a good thing, IMO.