Barrel break in and load development

[fuzzymarindave]

Sometimes the manufacturer will have a recommended procedure. I know that Weatherby has a method that they recommend for their rifles. Check with Savage.

 

[Point Man]

I am in the no need to break-in camp and that's after doing the break-in procedures many times before. It just lessens the life of your barrel more and burns ammo, especially with a 7 mag. Most can't even see the difference in accuracy, if there is any, because they simply can't shoot that well.

 

[JGRaider]

Barrel break in is a waste of time and components, IME.

 

[sveltri]

Barrel break in is a waste of time and components, IME.

Except how/when do you start load development knowing that barrel isn’t settled. I get not wanting to clean like crazy.

 

[Point Man]

Barrel settled?.....overrated.

 

[Pharmseller]

+1 on waste of time and components.

If it makes you happy, do it, but it will be like peeing your pants while wearing a dark suit.




P

 

[igethangry]

Did anyone answer the question of when you actually start working up a load after performing whatever break in procedure you follow? Do you send a predetermined number of factory rounds through the barrel first? Chronograph a specific load until velocities seen to stabilize?

I load for 223 now and am just getting into loading for 6.5CM and 7RM, but with the cost of components being substantially more for the larger cartridges I want to try to avoid wasting a bunch of money.

 

[JGRaider]

Barrel break in is a complete waste of time anyway.

 

[igethangry]

Barrel break in is a complete waste of time anyway.

So, do you just start load dev on an unfired rifle from the get? Your velocity/groups don't change after the first ~100 rounds? A 1-1.5 MOA load combo won't change after the initial barrel wear in? That's what I am trying to understand... I don't care about barrel break in unless not doing some form of break in is going to result in me having to redo load dev after 100 rounds... Should I just fireform 50-100 factory rounds and then start load dev?

 

[JGRaider]

I scrub the barrel clean and then apply Dyna Bore Coat to the barrel. I follow their directions, then start development. Works for me.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

So, do you just start load dev on an unfired rifle from the get? Your velocity/groups don't change after the first ~100 rounds? A 1-1.5 MOA load combo won't change after the initial barrel wear in? That's what I am trying to understand... I don't care about barrel break in unless not doing some form of break in is going to result in me having to redo load dev after 100 rounds... Should I just fireform 50-100 factory rounds and then start load dev?

Two types: There is the new barrel break-in sometimes recommended by a barrel manufacturer and then there is the second barrel break-in where the velocity may increase after 100-150 rounds. The new barrel break-in might consist of shot/clean regime for first 10-20 rounds depending on manufacturer. This is the procedure that some folks are talking about being a waste of time. Whether you choose to do this or not is up to you and but go ahead and work up a good load at the onset (or after 10-15 rounds) and then revisit the load for possible modifications after 100-150 rounds. It is best if you have a chronograph.