New Factory Rifle or Custom Barrel Break In?

[Thumper]

What is the proper way to break in a new factory bolt action and/or custom bolt action rifle barrel?

Thanks!

[Artos]

Propper cleaning way more important...clean bbl & go shoot is what I do now on new to me guns.


It may help more on a factory bbl but very few of the top benchrest shooters break in custom made hand lapped tubes anymore...it's either gonna shoor or it wont. It's 50/50 on the factory but I quit doing it there too & I used to be a maniac about it.

More good bbls have been ruined by improper cleaning that during the break-in...need a good bore guide & correct process to protect throat and crown.


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get ready, cuz the must break in crowd is about to get feelings...

[Bily Lovec]

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[treestand]

If it's a custom barrel, check with the barrel manufacturer. Can't say I've checked them all but from I've seen, no special break-in is needed. This was different 20+ years ago when machinery tools were not as precise as today and it took a number of rounds down the barrel to smooth over tool marks.

[RR 314]

Google Speedy Gonzales barrel break in. Many custom builders state their barrels/builds don't require break in as compared to "sloppier" factory produced rifles. Sounds backwards, but likely accurate when you ponder the logic.

[J.B.]

don't need to do anything on a new high quality barrel. Run one dry patch through it to make sure it is clear from any metal cuttings or slag and go shoot it.

[Navajo]

I can't say on custom barrels but I just broke my dads new remington 783 in. It's a very cheap rifle, but within 50 shots it was amazing to watch it go from 3 MOA TO .5 MOA with the proper beak in. It since has 98 more round down it and is still shooting a consistent .5-.75 MOA.

[trophy8]

Always a big debate. No two barrels are the same so you can't exactly "prove" one that is broke in shoots better than one that wasn't. If it makes you feel better, do it. Some I've done. Some I haven't. It is always interesting hearing the different methods and reasons and claims

[txfireguy2003]

Shilen puts it this way:

A barrel has a certain number of shots in its lifespan, and that is dependent upon several factors, but among them is the heat imparted and cooling time between shots, how overbore the round is (some cartridges are rumored to have barrel life of less than 1000 rounds, think 26 Nosler, but I still want one) etc. So, if you do a 100 round break-in, you have effectively used up 100 rounds of the rifle's accurate lifespan. Shilen says that barrel manufacturers LOVE to tell you to break in your barrel, because you waste a portion of the barrel's life in doing so, thereby forcing you to re-barrel sooner, and they sell more barrels. Makes sense to me.

On the other hand, I do know that some rifles don't settle into their accuracy potential until they have been fired a few times, but my bone stock, factory Remington .308 was shooting one hole groups on the second box of ammo, and the first box wasn't bad either, just a different brand and load, it still doesn't like that ammo as much as box two.

I wouldn't (and don't) waste my time with break in, just shoot some and clean it, then shoot some more.

[Bumpy]

Great post! I just received a new Green Mountain Barrel in 308 from Midway for my mauser build.