Barrel break in

[K9kodi]

Just curious as to the thought process on barrel break in.

Christensen arms ridgeline fft, yes carbon fiber.

I’m still in the break in process according to what they call for. Ive been shooting very good groups, sighted my scope in kinda while break in takes place.

 

[waspocrew]

I never subscribed to the idea - I just pick up the rifle and go shoot.

 

[Pharmseller]

Not necessary, but if it makes you feel better, do it.




P

 

[2-Stix]

nope

 

[hereinaz]

Clean it when you get it to make sure there isn't anything in the barrel, if you want. Otherwise, if you were to quantify the difference between cleaning or not cleaning during break in, more damage is done to barrels by cleaning during the break in process than failing to "break in" a barrel.

If you clean it appropriately, no harm will really be done. There really isn't much to clean as it "breaks in".

When I bought my first two centerfire rifles, I read a ton on the internet and so I did the barrel break it. After those two rifles, I got connected with people and forums with good experience shooting. That helped me start sifting through all the BS that I was reading.

Many myths are hard to kill and are like zombies, coming back from the dead. It is good to question most gun lore and myths. Science has advanced and forums have helped connect more people to get information outside of the "gun writers" circles. Even today, many gun writers are still breaking through the old stuff.

When it comes to barrel break in, the myth remains strong. People expect to break in their barrel and for some reason the idea of not breaking in a barrel freaks some people out.

Yes, barrel manufacturers and rifle makers give "barrel break in" but when you talk to the owners of the companies, most will say it doesn't matter. But, so many people ask about barrel break in that they just list one on their website to meet expectations and avoid dealing with questions.

A lapped barrel definitely doesn't need to go through a break in procedure. The lapping takes care of nearly 100% of whatever barrel break in can manage to take care of.

If the barrel isn't lapped, you can lap it before shooting to clean up machine marks in the barrel some and make it nicer to clean and can improve shooting. But, the biggest spot that needs attention is the throat, but you can't really do much other than shoot it to break that in.

I know there is anecdotal evidence and people that have experience and believe in barrel break in. I've yet to see enough evidence that definitively supports the idea.

In the end, precision shooting is about confidence in yourself and your rifle system. Anything that helps your brain achieve a less stressed state of mind while shooting is worth it--if you have the money and don't do anything to damage it.

 

[K9kodi]

Thank you so much

 

[wind gypsy]

I'm a "just go shoot it" guy. Used to clean bores good after the first range trip but dont do that all the time anymore either. We're in the era of bore scopes and there have been pictures of pretty awful looking bores posted lately. I've seen people say that a typical shoot and clean break in process is more likely to make a difference in cheap barrels with more bore imperfections (looking at you savage and ruger) but heck if I know if it is true. Doesn't make sense to me to do it in a quality barrel.

 

[MallardSX2]

I clean the bore good initially and then then simply run a brush and a patch in between shots basically until I have burned a box of bullets (Typically junk leftovers that I have acquired) through the gun to get my scope on paper and close. Then I give it one final cleaning and blow the bore out with my air hose in my shop. Then I sight in.

I check the action screws and ring screw torque through this process.

I have noticed that with my BAR it has made a significant difference after getting 100 rounds down the bore. Never seen that before on a rifle, but I am not what you would really consider a precision gun guy. If I hit a pie plate at 400, I'm happy. Getting ~1" groups at 100 yards with my .308 BAR and I am really happy with that.

The entire break in process is, has been, and will be debated until man leaves earth. I look at it as a good chance to get some trigger time and burn up that crap ammo that you have lying around that you will never use.....Ya....I know......if you're reading this, you got some of it. lol

 

[Speaks]

If you mean some mythical "shoot once, then clean, then 10 more rounds cleaning between every 2, then 10 more cleaning every 5......" or whatever I dont do that or believe it works. If you mean shooting a number of rounds waiting for velocity and groups to settle down the easiest way to tell when its done is a chrono.

Only patch that ever goes down my bore is a quick degrease before the first shot.

 

[cottonant]

My first custom gun builder told me 3 sets of shoot 1 then clean, 3 sets of shoot 2 then clean & 3 sets of shoot 3 then clean, i.e 18 rounds total.

Based on expert opinions I no longer believe that it matters, but do as the manufacturer recommends in order to have the warranty if required (and to be honest within any warranty process). With Christensen Arms I would definitely follow their barrel break in instructions.

 

[wind gypsy]

I clean the bore good initially and then then simply run a brush and a patch in between shots basically until I have burned a box of bullets (Typically junk leftovers that I have acquired) through the gun to get my scope on paper and close. Then I give it one final cleaning and blow the bore out with my air hose in my shop. Then I sight in.

I check the action screws and ring screw torque through this process.

I have noticed that with my BAR it has made a significant difference after getting 100 rounds down the bore. Never seen that before on a rifle, but I am not what you would really consider a precision gun guy. If I hit a pie plate at 400, I'm happy. Getting ~1" groups at 100 yards with my .308 BAR and I am really happy with that.

The entire break in process is, has been, and will be debated until man leaves earth. I look at it as a good chance to get some trigger time and burn up that crap ammo that you have lying around that you will never use.....Ya....I know......if you're reading this, you got some of it. lol

I have a browning xbolt that I couldn't shoot tight until I had over 100 rounds down the barrel too. Part of that was probably me learning how to shoot rifles and especially lightweight magnums better but I couldn't get one lucky 3 shot group initially and since it shoots almost everything I put through it tight. So I definitely think there is something to some barrels being "broken in" just not as convinced that the cleaning part has much to do with it.

 

[MuleyFever]

Just curious as to the thought process on barrel break in.

Christensen arms ridgeline fft, yes carbon fiber.

I’m still in the break in process according to what they call for. Ive been shooting very good groups, sighted my scope in kinda while break in takes place.

Did you already read the 20 other threads posted on barrel break in? If not, check out the search function.

 

[MallardSX2]

I have a browning xbolt that I couldn't shoot tight until I had over 100 rounds down the barrel too. Part of that was probably me learning how to shoot rifles and especially lightweight magnums better but I couldn't get one lucky 3 shot group initially and since it shoots almost everything I put through it tight. So I definitely think there is something to some barrels being "broken in" just not as convinced that the cleaning part has much to do with it.

The cleaning part is probably just a feel-good thing I do. I highly doubt it matters. For me it doesn't because I don't shoot at long range for anything these days. My average shot with a rifle in Georgia is 40 yards. lol

I do however still have a slight OCD (level 7 out of 10) that requires ~ 1" groups at 100 yards for some silly reason. lol

 

[XLR]

Every barrel is going to be different. On each barrel, clean before you shoot it, and clean it after the first shot. After that some barrels will shoot right away, some barrel (especially on factory rifles) take 100-200 rds before they are shooting well. It all depends on the barrel though.

 

[ElPollo]

Shoot it. Don’t bother cleaning the bore. Have fun. If you really want to add extra complexity to your life, consider counseling or medication.

 

[TaperPin]

The placebo effect is a powerful thing and gun companies know there’s no downside to including breakin instructions. Many shooters feel really good after going through it - like we do after having the oil changed in our truck. It also starts the rifle off with an owner that now has the equipment to clean the barrel. Christensen is known for having chamber tolerances on the tight side and cleaning is much more important when a bullet only has a .00025” gap between it and the freebore in a minimum SAAMI chamber. Think about normal weight aluminum foil - it’s going to measure .0007”ish which is 3x thicker than that minimum bullet clearance.

Here’s the SAAMI minimum spec for 6.5 creed, where it shows the diameter of the freebore as .2645” - so .0005” over bullet diameter, which is a gap around the bullet of half that.

 

[gbflyer]

Just curious as to the thought process on barrel break in.

Christensen arms ridgeline fft, yes carbon fiber.

I’m still in the break in process according to what they call for. Ive been shooting very good groups, sighted my scope in kinda while break in takes place.

If you are getting good results following their guidelines and it doesn’t cause you undue burden, keep it up.


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