AR Sponsor
Posted: 8/11/2007 10:34:06 AM EDT
|
How often should you replace your barrel? When you replace your barrel, do you need to replace your bolt? |
If you really want to make certain you are safe, get a head space gauge from Brownells, I think they are bout $30. Cheap peace of mind. Just be careful, AR tools seem to be like all other AR related items and will cause you to buy more and more of them. 
|
well it depends. if you are shooting for absolute accuracy then i would get a bolt that is matched to the barrel. if you just want to go to a standard heavy without the accuracy being a factor i would use the bolt you have. it should not be an issue and you can most likley use all components and just get a barrel with a front sight/gas block. a set of head space gauges will set you back about $60.00. if i were going to do it i would head space. but i would most likely buy a complete bolt and complete upper just to have the "top end" then when i got the money i would buy a complete lower or build one up and have two guns |
i don't think the weight of the barrel will give you hardly any better recoil management. it sure as heck won't be a factor at the distances they shoot 3 gun. how accurate should you be? you should be shooting all "X" and 10. and you can do that with the gun you have. work on your form and get good hits! |
If you look at the 3-gun forum, most people with experience recommend a mid-weight barrel. Most newbies are unlikely to notice a difference between barrel weight in their scores anyway. I'd just go with what you have for now. Then, if you like it and want to spend the money, get a decent brake and a JP LMOS carrier and adjustable gas block. |
Replace it when you notice a significant change in MOA that causes you miss what you're shooting at  . At shorter distances in non-combat zoned civ ranges for weekend shooters it's prolly not gonna matter. If you're shooting long range matches, those guys usually swap out barrels as soon as they notice the MOA change to lesson the potential for points loss. There was (and prolly still is with some crowds) a myth about a magic round count number & when it was reached the barrel had to be swapped. However, the round count factor can corralate with the change in MOA's with some barrels, but doesn't mean you must change out barrels. I don't recall the mil standard in MOA change before the armorer needsto swap barrels. Most LEO agencies have the same or similar requirement as well due to liability issues regardless of the distance rounds will placed downrange. Your barrel will prolly out last you depending on how it's lined. Clean it properly & inspect it regularly & it should serve you well for a long time. |
The barrel swap is judged by an erosion gauge for the military and not necessarily a round count. I concur with the above. Those high power guys tend to swap their barrels about every year or two. I have yet to had to change a barrel though, especially a chrome lined or stainless barrel. |
This happened to me a couple years ago on my 3gun rifle. I was having a horrible time hitting targets past 200 yards for about 3 months in a row. I put it on paper and it was shooting about 6" at 100 yards when it used to shoot 1.5" at 100 yards. I put a new barrel on my rifle and instantly started hitting distant targets again. |
AR Sponsor