I have a slightly different take on the barrel life. I noticed moderate (ok, slight) degredation at about 3000 rnds on my M1A SM when I was shooting it alot a few years back. I was basically shooting every week and putting about 200 rnds (10 20 rnd magazines) per session with the same reloads every time. The difference was small, about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch at 100 yds, but it was documentable and repeatable. I then picked up a National match and decided that the problem was me shooting so many rounds at once. So the NM I just would fire a magazine (20 rnds per target) and then open the bolt and store it in the rack to cool while I continued to work with the SM. Later I picked up a loaded M1A and a conventional M1A, so now when I go and put in my 200 rnds (every other to 3rd week now) I shoot a magazine, set that rifle aside, shoot the next gun, and repeat. By the time I am back to the first gun, it has cooled pretty well. Using this technique I have kept the accuracy of the newer guns fairly consistent.
My plan for the SM is to rebarrel it this fall at Springfield and get back to having it the best shooter and not the NM.
Just a different take on the problem.
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P229 Sport and 357 SIG, Perfection!