Verified answer

You definitely need to reduce your loads. Your fave is DANGEROUSLY over max!

Before you put another round of ANY loading through this rifle, you need it checked out by a professional, as you may already have bulged the chamber, if not the barrel itself.

Sounds like a wicked load. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions. I own a 220 swift. Anything that shoots over 4000 fps is going to be hard on barrels to some degree. Newer guns use much better steel than the old ones which started the rumors. A number of things could cause the change. Different lot number of powder, bullet, primer, case. Could be wind, humidity, temp, barometric pressure, etc. etc. etc. A gunsmith could look at the barrel and say for sure.

Hodgdons reloading manual says they fired 3000 rounds through a Remington 40x 220 swift and the groups went from .270" to .344". That was for 25 shot aggregates. As you can see, it takes a bit of work to wear out a barrel, even in the worst of the worst of the barrel burners. I'm sick of people saying a Weatherby will wear the barrel out in 100-300 shots. Won't happen.

Just to add my 2 bits...BACK off that charge!! Hear these guys on here telling you it is too hot. Listen damn well to them, they are trying to save you a bunch of grief. You may have damaged your rifle, or maybe not. Have a look, and if you can't tell, take it to a good smith. He won't charge you too much to look at it. The other thing is that bullets driven too fast seem to lose some accuracy in some rifles. I fail to understand this obsessive need for barrel burning speed, whenlighter and less abusive loads will do better work anyway. Good luck getting an accurate load in there, hope your rifle is OK. J

I'm still what many would consider a "beginner reloader", meaning I've been doing it for less than 2 years, and even I know you've over charged your loads and have gone WAY of safe load pressures. Back off your load, you have a dangerous and potentially lethal load! YES you've probably burned out your barrel, what did you expect by pushing your rifle well past its designed limitations.

DO NOT FIRE ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE THROUGH ANY RIFLE!!!!

those have to be way over safe pressures to be running 4150fps

these loads are right off Hodgdon's website under loading data

65 GR. HDY V-MAX Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.600" 38.0 3494 43,100 CUP MAX LOAD = 41.0 3682 49,600 CUP

70 GR. SPR HP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.625" 38.0 3433 45,500 CUP MAX LOAD = 40.5 3574 50,100 CUP

75 GR. HDY HP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.640" 36.0 3246 45,000 CUP MAX LOAD = 38.5 3408 50,500 CUP

80 GR. SIE BTSP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.635" 36.0 3193 45,400 CUP MAX LOAD = 38.5 3355 50,300 CUP

NOTICE THE MAX LOAD FOR SIMILAR WEIGHT BULLET IS ONLY 38.5GRS

it's a wonder you aren't having gas leak around your primers or cases splitting at the head with those kind of pressures.

go reread(or just read) the beginning reloading section in the manual(s) you should have & preferably go buy the one by Hornady to go with the bullet brand your using.

Even with alot experience you shouldn't be exceeding loads tested by the powder or bullet makers. Certainly not to the degree of a 10% heavier charge then what they list.

YOU ARE VERY LUCKY YOU DIDN"T BLOW A CASE APART, LET ALONE THE RIFLE AND GET SERIOUS INJURIES!

Come on, hunter. Clean the barrel until it shines, put you a patch in front under some serious light, and look at your rifling! Clean 'er all up, oil her up and have a look-see. If you have velvet looking lands then possibly she's shot out. They'll show as dark, ripped metal instead of bright rails down through there.

This is the main reason that I cast lead bullets for what I shoot, there are shooters waiting for lead to burn up a barrel after 30 years, still waiting.

I don't consider 2 inches crap or ruination of your Rifle barrel by any means.* Stay within the recommended load limits of your Reloading Manuel.*

I hope that is a typo and you mean a 55Gr projectile, if that is the case then check your action screws first then scope mounts. Then check if the stock is warped, if that has not fixed it next is the bedding and after that take it to someone who knows what they are doing because it is not a home handyman fix.

Ever hear of The Darwin Awards?

sounds like you burned out your throat.