I understand that it's next to impossible to shoot out the old low pressure calibers. Is this true?

According to the article on it, Harry Selby shot out the barrel on his 416 Rigby Mauser. Something about 'cordite washing the rifling from the barrel.' I'll look a little more for the magazine.

I can't foresee doing it on some of the big ones -- too hard on the shoulder, and too expensive to shoot that much. Misuse / mis-cleaning is another issue...

Todd

Todd, that's the November 2000 issue of "Rifle" that has the article on Selby's Rigby. It was also in a more recent issue of American Rifleman, which I have yet to locate.

Best,
Joe

Cordite is a lot harder on bbl steel than modern powders.
Just another reason to have a Double Rifle, as they have two barrels, and thus will last twice as long.

nextjoe,

Not sure if this is the article you are refering to. It gives an account of Harry Selby's 416 Rigby and how he wore the barrel out after 40 years of use.

http://164.109.174.105/publications/tar/rifle.asp

Dave

Dave,

That's it! thanks

Best,
Joe

A lilja or K&P .50 BMG barrel lasts me about 1000 to 1200 rnds or about 8 matches. At that point the throat is gone for 3 inches and the muzzel is flared. -Rob

Within the relm of sanity, being bolt guns and doubles up to 600 NE, I'd say NO, at least they didn't live to tell about it, that much recoill over a lifetime is deadly.

the velocities are slow and not terribly abusive to barrel steel and recoil lends to them not being overly used...

Harry rusted his barrel out with cordite, he didn't shoot it out..that was common in those days and gun cleaning was not always done and when it was it was overly done I suspect.

If Ray hasn't been around long enough to shoot out the barrel of a big bore, than I doubt anyone has!

I just couldn't resist...hehehe.

Canuck

I HAVE about 3500-4000 rounds through my Model 70 in .375H&H and when I look down the bbl. it still looks like it has those little looping lines and it still seems to hit what I point it at.

Great article !! Thanks for the link.