Twist rate vs. barrel life??

[Dastook]

I was reading another thread talking about bullet length and how it affected by twist rate. I understand that longer and not necessarily heavier bullets need a faster twist rate to stabilize. This brings me to the question. Because longer bullets need a faster twist rate does this create more friction which would lead to shorter barrel life?

[Old Savage]

It doesn't seem to be friction that wears out barrels but gas.

[Buffboy]

Old Savage has it right, heat is what kills barrels but it can depend on the caliber too. In overbore cartridges the twist rate can affect the barrel life by raising dwell time of the gas thereby increasing heat. I know of one acquaintance that built a 308/22 wildcat that used a 1/7 twist to stabilize 80gr bullets in his uber varmint rifle. He figures his barrel life to be about 1k before replacement. It will really reach out to smite prairie dogs though.

[Cliff]

Heat and dwell time are the enemy of barrels other than poor cleaning habits. I remember reading about the 6MM Lee Navy round long bullet short barrel life but the powders of the day ate up the barrels. Same thing on the ol' 30-40 Krags, about 2000 rounds max barrel life until they came out with better powders. They also experimented with a .22 Caliber on a Krag case and action used a 1-5 twist I think bullet weight was 120 grains. The old smokeless powders rendered it a moot point at about 500 rounds. Would be intersting to see what could be done today with better metals and slower powders. Some interesting experiments were done with quick twist rifling and bullets in the past. P.O. Ackely wrote about them in his books. Sure did a great job on game but special bullets were required to stand up to the torque forces and of course powders where not ideal for the time. Interesting subject.

[marlinman93]

Heat, gases, copper jackets, hot loads, etc. Twist rate has little to do with barrel wear.