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I have never shot out the barrel on a "hunting" rifle Most Hunting rifles Especially ones like the 338 Winchester mag get very few rounds through them if you shoot 100 rounds with it a year the barrel will last over 25 years and I am not a good enough rifle shooter to notice the degraded performance eve at that point

Alex, this sounds a little low for a 338 Win Mag to need a barrel so soon. I know you stated 2500+ rounds which is technically correct but, the 338 Win Mag with out rapid fir on a heated barrel should last to 3500 or so rounds in today's barrels.

The vast majority of hunting rifles are never fired enough to really 'wear out' a barrel. That is much more a concern for target/competition shooters who fire hundreds of rounds on any given range day. You should be able to enjoy this rifle a long time if you shoot it like most hunters wold ... i.e maybe twenty rounds for 'zeroing' and 'range play', then only a handful of rounds during hunting season. Just keep it clean, and don't let it rust, and you'll enjoy a long relationship with your rifle.