My trusty heavy class .50BMG has had exactly 1,136 rounds through it . This calculates to 38lbs of H50BMG powder. I just lopped off 1 inch of muzzel and re-crowned and re-threaded it. With a guage pin the muzzel has opened up about .0005( funneled muzzel) and the lands look flame torched. The throat looks like the craters of the moon. Rifling looks like it will still spin a bullet though. At 925-930 rounds it shot its last screamer with 4.5 inch group at 1000 yrds. Accuracy appears to have fallen off or I'm shooting worse. I'm gonna give it a last go at Reno next month ,then yank and section the old barrel for Ha Ha's. It will have about 1250 rounds through it by then. I think it's toast!-Rob

When you look at the cost of 38 pounds of powder, and over 1000 bullets, a barrel looks downright cheap.

Rob,

Do you use milsurp barrels or match-grade barrels? Just wondering if there is a difference in longevity.

George

Rob, I've got to agree with you. I don't shoot competition but my heavy 50 BMG seemed to start to drop off accuracy wise around the 900 round mark and groups are 50% or more larger than after break-in at 1300.

Time for a new one. I'll probably go with Pac-Nor. Been really pleased with the large bore barrels from them for a long time now.