What size group's constitutes a worn out barrel ready to replace? I had a friend in Montana years ago shooting a 264 Win Mag and when groups went from just under 3/4" to just under 1" he proclaimed the barrel shot out!
Hahaha. Mine went from well under an inch to about 2" - 2.5"
For 100yd groups I would have proclaimed it mediocre at 3/4” and shot out at 1”. I agree with your friend.
Strange thing Had a close friend that died in 1995 and one of the things he left me was a 1903 Springfield he had customised by Paul Jaeger as his gift to himself when he got out of the Army 1945. He shot a lot of corrosive primers through it and the barrel is toast but, It shoot's 180gr Hornadys into 1 1/4 at 100 yds and that was my elk rifle once I decided to use it. Three elk in three shots from a wasted barrel!
Just switched to these this year after using a few Federal loads, which it liked, but it LOVES the Hornady Whitetails
I’ll will admit that extreme fouling, and/or oxidized copper fouling that had sat in a bore for years, can make a gun shoot like crap, and then be cleaned out, BUT for a 25-06 to get shot out is to be expected.Curious what your cleaning process is and what solvents you run? I’ve seen many “shot out” barrels given new life with a good cleaning. I’m also always on the hunt for “shot out” rifles.
It almost certainly the throat. Crowns wear out from cleaning. A 25-06 will wear out a throat before even a crazed benchrester with Sweets, JB, and bronze brushes would typically wear out a crown.
I have the same rifle and the Hornady was the only one I had to shoot sub MOA. I will try the Trophy Copper though and see what it will do. I could not even get my handloads to shoot under an inch in mine. I would say it was just a finicky rifle but having had one of the same in a 300wm not long ago be just as particular I think its just the nature of the rifle line now.
I have always cleaned thoroughly after every range session and use Hoppes solvents almost exclusively. I had the rifle re-crowned a few years ago and had a gunsmith look the gun over and he cleaned it also. Nothing has had a positive effect.Curious what your cleaning process is and what solvents you run? I’ve seen many “shot out” barrels given new life with a good cleaning. I’m also always on the hunt for “shot out” rifles.
Nature of the beast. I tried Hornady American Whitetail in a few other rifles and it is all over the place. The 25-06 likes them though. I have had good luck with Federal Fusions in a few rifles but have not seen them on the shelf yet for 25-06.
I’m just saying that while I agree, fouling can make a guy think a gun is shot out, in a 25-06, that’s quite the gamble. They get shot out a lot faster than other cartridges. In terms of its ability to thrash a barrel, its right there with a 7mag.
Cleaning after every range session is probably part of the problem. Over cleaning especially without a coated rod and bore guide does a lot more damage than good.
