Barrel Break-in

[xcutter]

Who breaks in there barrel on a new rifle?

Is this really needed?

Can you tell a difference in accuracy?

What is your procedure?

Thanks for any responses.

 

[Brado16]

Clean the bore once you get it and then shoot it, no need to "break it in".


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[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I do but I'm also starting initial load work at the same time so no biggie in my mind. Basically the theory is the throat of the rifle needs to be worn in a bit, initially it'll shave copper off which will deposit in the barrel and becomes stubborn to remove if multiple shots are fired over top of it. Thus the reason its fire->clean -> fire in increasing round counts between cleaning. Since I reload I just use the first rounds as I'm work up a broad charge ladder (to find the actual combo of powder needed for the given brass/primer/bullet depth I am using in my gun to deliver the velocity range I'm going for, it can vary) to break in. Alternatively you could use the initial round to get your gun on paper at an extended distance for the first time to do it.

For the record I favor one piece cleaning rods, properly sized jags for the bore, a nylon brush for occasional scrubbing, and I like shooters choice patchout cleaner. I've taken that stuff to folks guns who "cleaned" their gun with rem solvent or such their dad passed down and gotten a lot more gunk out. Don't forget a boreguide.

 

[tyaskin74]

Wipeout works real good too for cleaning.

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[tyaskin74]

From sharpshooter cleaning supplies

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[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Yeah they also make patch out I mentioned above. Wipe out is the foaming one.

 

[hodgeman]

Barrel break in on a hunting rifle is a complete waste of time. While accuracy improvements might exist, you'll never turn a bad one into a good one. Benchrest guys who measure wins in "Xs" might squeeze some small benefit out of it....most hunters who win in full freezers will not.

Take it out of the box and clean it. Shoot it. Clean it. You're breaking it in just using it.

Don't let the barrel overheat and clean it properly and it will be fine.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Take it out of the box and clean it. Shoot it. Clean it. You're breaking it in just using it.

Don't let the barrel overheat and clean it properly and it will be fine.

Shoot/clean and don't overhead is all break in is. Just instead of railing off a box of 20rds before cleaning the second time you clean a couple more. I don't take it overly serious. First 5 rounds I'll clean after, then I'll do a few sets of 3-5rnds that I'll clean after that's about it. The cleaning (other than the first ones) helps slow you down to let things cool as you noted. Use the time to sight in/work up a load, no biggy.

 

[Brianb3]

Gunwerks has a break in procedure on youtube. Might not be for everyone but if your going to spend a lot of $ on a rifle why take a chance? And the KG products they use are actually really great. I've had two good smith concur on the KG stuff.

Rifle Cleaning and Maintenance Part 1 - YouTube


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[KurtR]

Bartlien bbl guys more or less said break in is a waste if you have a quality barrel. I clean and shoot and shoot more.

 

[bearstalker]

I just start shooting. I'll run a patch or two down the barrel every 300-400 rds but that is about it.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I did a "proper" barrel break in on a browning x bolt in 7mm mag I have and didn't do anything other than shoot my tikka and while both shoot well my tikka is considerably better. Granted I am shooting hand loads for the tikka as I haven't worked up a load for the browning and probably won't. I think I'll sell the browning and get another tikka in 7mm mag just cause they shoot so well and it'll save me around a pound and a half.

 

[Laelkhunter]

At the recommendation of the gunsmith that installed my Lilja barrel, I did follow the break-in procedure for the new barrel (I did the one on Lilja's website). Glad I did, because it cleans very easily with two or three patches. Accuracy has been consistent (never really got any better from the first group til now), after 180 rounds down the tube.