When does an AK47 barrel wear out?

[Mr Smooth]

I have a high volume AK and am attempting to get an idea when the barrel is worn out. It is still accurate to 100 yards but haven't had it passed 100 yards in two years.

 

[Bigchillin83]

Around 10k give or take, depends on actual military barrel, used military barrel, cheaper American made barre ect…. unless you do a bunch of full auto mag dumps and barrel starts to droop…. Then you just adjust sights for poi…

 

[Mr Smooth]

Thanks, I will need to check mine out at longer range since it is a bit passed 10k.

 

[machinedrummer]

If it’s still hitting the berm at 100 yards it’s still good to go.

 

[Mr Smooth]

Thanks for the info, its still good at 100, maybe 3-4 moa with cheap ammo using a fair quality rest.

 

[AK shooter]

This will give you all the AK abuse info you need.

AK abuse (update on Page 11) - AR15.COM

Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear.

www.ar15.com

 

[Bigchillin83]

Good article I remember reading that one

 

[Mr Smooth]

My AK has over 18K rounds, still headspacing fine and accurate. Never a mag dumper but tracked all the rounds through it based on concerns about Century AKs. Has had some parts failure but Century Arms replacement parts were free of charge, including shipping.
I have two and am about to start using the other ak, it currently has 1600 rds down the pipe. Its bolt started to peen on the rear and Century Arms fixed it free of charge. It had to go back to them due to headspacing for a new bolt.
These AKs have the Green Mountain Barrels and I am pleased. I suspect the 18K barrel is good for another 5K or more.
I posted this question due to wondering if the performance I experienced was unusual.

 

[Bayou Knives]

I have a high volume AK and am attempting to get an idea when the barrel is worn out. It is still accurate to 100 yards but haven't had it passed 100 yards in two years.

The question is "how would you know

 

[shrxfn]

Well Lucky Gunner used target keyholing for ARs so would assume if rounds are keyholing the target then it is worn out. Should apply to AKs as well as ARs.

 

[Mr Smooth]

Yes, I would use keyholing to determine that the bullet is not stabilized, as well as accuracy.

Currently the 18k round barrel is fine to 100yds. In the past I shot it out to 425yds at the old fts range on their coyote target with no issues, also no issues on their hog target at 300 yds. At some point I will make it down there again (under new ownership, Cutoff Shooting something) and test it at longer distance to see if accuracy has diminished

 

[AdvancedLaser]

Why not just get a throat erosion gauge and stop all the guesswork ?

 

[AdvancedLaser]

Yes, I would use keyholing to determine that the bullet is not stabilized, as well as accuracy.

Currently the 18k round barrel is fine to 100yds. In the past I shot it out to 425yds at the old fts range on their coyote target with no issues, also no issues on their hog target at 300 yds. At some point I will make it down there again (under new ownership, Cutoff Shooting something) and test it at longer distance to see if accuracy has diminished

"Cut Off Range Complex"....Also a sponsor of this board. His revolving ad is at the top of the pages.

 

[Mr Smooth]

Accuracy might diminish prior to throat erosion, gas port erosion could also occur abusing the rifle during cycling.

 

[AdvancedLaser]

Accuracy might diminish prior to throat erosion, gas port erosion could also occur abusing the rifle during cycling.

Tell on. What specifically would make accuracy diminish then ?

 

[Mr Smooth]

Inability to constantly stablize the projectile

 

[AdvancedLaser]

Inability to constantly stablize the projectile

Gotcha. What causes that ?

 

[Mr Smooth]

Load changes, projectile changes, harmonic changes, crown damage, firecracking, throat erosion

 

[AdvancedLaser]

Load changes, projectile changes, harmonic changes, crown damage, firecracking, throat erosion

LOL.

 

[Mr Smooth]

Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like,your opinion, man