I bought a new Ruger M77 Mark 2 all-weather rifle in 7mm mag just before deer season. I love the rifle and have already put close to 100 rounds through it target shooting. How many rounds should I be able to fire through my rifle before I need to get it re-barreled? Should I get a smaller caliber rifle for target shooting and save the barrel on this one and just use it for hunting? I did a good job breaking-in the barrel right after I bought the gun. Also, how many round should I go before cleaning the barrel? Thanks.
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Barrel life of 7mm Mag?
- Thread starter imq707s
- Start date
This is just a series of opinions:
1. The barrel life will be several thousand rounds, especially with a stainless barrel. Remember, even rounds like the 220 Swift and 257 Weatherby that are hard on barrels take about 2000 rounds to "shoot out" the barrel.
2. Apart from shooting 22LR in a rifle of similar design as your hunting rifle as a practice session warmup, I'd pracitce shooting the exact same round you're going to hunt with.
3. I clean it after every practice session. I don't fire a hundred rounds a sitting, so it takes me only a couple of minutes. I don't know how often you HAVE to, unless you're shooting cast bullets in your 7 mag, in which case it would be about every other shot.
1. The barrel life will be several thousand rounds, especially with a stainless barrel. Remember, even rounds like the 220 Swift and 257 Weatherby that are hard on barrels take about 2000 rounds to "shoot out" the barrel.
2. Apart from shooting 22LR in a rifle of similar design as your hunting rifle as a practice session warmup, I'd pracitce shooting the exact same round you're going to hunt with.
3. I clean it after every practice session. I don't fire a hundred rounds a sitting, so it takes me only a couple of minutes. I don't know how often you HAVE to, unless you're shooting cast bullets in your 7 mag, in which case it would be about every other shot.
EchoFiveMike
New member
My target gun in 7mm Rem Mag goes about 1500-1800 rounds before I loose target accuracy. That's defined as when the gun seems to shoot outside call too often for my liking. And when groups go to hell at 200 yds(currently shoots right about 1/2 minute groups) On a hunting rifle, I imagine it will last 2000-2500 rounds before the barrel refuses to group anymore to the point where you shouldn't hunt with it. Ruger will replace the barrel for just over a $100 IIRC. So shooting it out is the least of your worries. Semper Fidelis...Ken M
I am not sure about the cast bullets in 7MM Mag. because I have not fired any YET, however if one keeps velocities reasonable, and uses a good hard alloy, and a gas check design, there should be no problem. I routinely shoot a 170 grain GC at velocities near 2300 FPS in my 30-06 and cast, load, and shoot a 50 grain GC at near 2000 FPS in my 22-250 and find that cleaning is LESS of a chore than if one had fired jacketed bullets at normal velocities. With an alloy of pure linotype and a gas check all that remains is a slight amount of powder fouling and no leading whatsoever.