For all medium bore big magnum shooters: I have read that shooting when barrels are too hot to touch is not a good idea as it greatly increases throat erosion. My Sako 30-378 barrel gets this hot after only 10 rounds, so its hard to get any decent amount of shooting done at one time. Has anyone seen any data supporting this? Has anyone done lots of shooting with really hot barrels and observed any problems? Thanks...

Don't have any data, but thats the truth. The hotter, the more malible, the more erosion. Especially out of a 30-378. Might not count on more than 1000 rounds out that barrel shooting until its too hot to touch.

Hey'
When I have to work up loads for a new rifle.I keep the motor in my pick on,and the air conditioner set on high.I never shoot more than four shots at one time.Usually three,and sometimes four,if I am going to chrony a load.The rifle goes into the truck for cooling.Some shooters,use very large coolers,with ice.Patience is well served,at the shooting range.
1geejay
www.shooting-hunting.com

If you keep shooting a 30-378 until it is too hot to touch you are being very optimistic to expect 1000 rounds out of the barrel.The throat will most likely last only a few hundred rounds unless you keep the temperature down.

Go to: riflebarrels.com. This is the Lija barrel site & read thier opinion on shooting hot barrels. There was also an article in one of the gun rags which listed the usable accuray barrel life of different bore sizes @ certain velocities. Basically fast small bores eat barrels sooner than slower big bores.
I usually take (2) rifles to the bench when I am working up loads & switch off every 5-6 rounds. I also allow about (1) min. between shots to allow a bit of cooling to take place. Better safe than sorry.