It seems there is also the issue of how hot you want to load it. If I understand the issue correctly, a lot of rifles that are supposedly "shot out" have simply suffered throat erosion from shooting really hot loads through it regularly. If you want to shoot lots, suppose you loaded down, just a tad. Like, say-- 2850 for you .300 Win Mag instead of 3000 fps. I realize that this getting down near .30-06 velocities, but consider the amount of shooting you can do with that! That's still a very respectible load, but your throat will definitely last longer.
I shoot my dad's .257 a lot still, and it yet produces groups well within an inch, which is decent for a 25 year-old rifle that gets shot each and every year a fair amount. Dad's technique was to load it only moderately hot-- say, a 100 grain spitzer at 2800fps instead of up to the 3000 fps he could actually safely go. Thus, it's only right around what the [traditionally underloaded] factory ammo is loaded to, but it consistantly groups well, even now.
That said, I load my .300 Win Mag to a good hot magnum load that brings me 3100+ with my 180s (supposed to still be within SAAMI, and no signs of pressure). I bought a magnum, I shoot a magnum. Someday, I'll have shot this barrel out, and I'll buy a new one from Shilen, who's just down the road a piece... or whomever-- I almost look forward to the project. Another dead soldier...
[This message has been edited by Long Path (edited November 24, 1999).]
