I am seriously considering purchasing one of these second hand. the price seems very good, but I am worried about barrel life. for those who have one I was hoping you could tell me the barrel life.

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whats barrel life when new?
2-3 boxs?

so if it's a good barrel and I am conservative with my shooting(let the barrel cool between shots)Moly coat the bullets and only use 140+gr bullets I am not going to get 5,000 rounds out of it?

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what about a 264 w/magnum? it would last longer and shoot plenty flat! just an option with more shoot ability. regards

264magnum is a cool round but if anything i would opt for a 6.5x284. I'm guessing the 284 would have a lot better barrel life.

If you use 140 gr or heavier bullets in the 264WM and clean it good it will last 1000 shots or more.I use 155 gr lapula bullets and I bet I get 2000 shots ot of my Ruger 77 stainless.I like the 264 wm cause you can make brass from the common 7 mm rem mag once fired.I have found brass for .08 each so its $40 per 500.I bought a bunch of cheap 140 gr remington corelocks too.They are not nearly as accurate as the Lapula mega tip 155 gr.I have shot 3/8" groups with them at 100 yards and 1 1/4 at 300 yards.I was impressed how the 338 kills stuff on out its awesome.Its my pronhorn gun mostly but I have shot a few deer with it also.I dont regret getting both of the 264 wm rugers I bought good guns.I would like a 26" barrel on my next 264 wm or even a 28" barrel which only makes it faster.

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ALF 1000 rds of accurate full power loads! I'm guessing my 6.5 STW will outlast me or at least my sheep hunting yrs.