New Rifle Break In

[taylormade820]

For those of y'all who break in new rifles, do y'all use the ammo you are going to hunt/compete with to break in the barrel? Or does it matter to y'all? Also, what is your method? I've always cleaned the rifle bore before shooting, shoot first round, then clean after every shot for the first five shots. Then after every 3 shot group for the first 40ish (39 to be exact when shooting factory ammo!) Just curious how others do it. Take care.

[Drycreek3189]

Your method is as good as any.

[Cajun Blake]

I follow directions from the barrel manufacturer

[glen]

Blake knows best when it comes rifles

[Raypo]

I follow directions from the barrel manufacturer

X2 and sometimes it is so painful.

[lovemylegacy]

Wasting your barrel. Do a search on barrel break in and you will find its a bogus process developed by a barrel maker to create more wear. Thus wearing out a barrel quicker.

But if it makes you feel better, hey, do it. That's a good formula.

[dustoffer]

The 'smith that rebarrelled one of mine gave me this guidance when I asked about break-in---"Go out and kill something"

[Notaguide]

Bartlein Barrels seem to be on top with competition guys and have printed the following on their website. Their barrel cleaning recommendations also go against a few old timers recommendations also.

"Breaking In the barrel……

The age old question, “Breaking in the New Barrel”. Opinions vary a lot here, and this is a very subjective topic as well. For the most part, the only thing you are breaking in, is the throat area of the barrel. The nicer the finish that the finish reamer or throating reamer leaves, the faster the throat will polish/break in. A rough throat can take longer to break in and also cause copper fouling. Some shooters think it’s the barrel has a problem but it could be from when it was chambered.

Shoot one round and clean for the first two rounds individually. Look to see what the barrel is telling you. If I’m getting little to no copper out of it, I sit down and shoot the gun. Say 4 – 5 round groups and then clean. If the barrel cleans easily and shoots well, we consider it done.

If the barrel shows some copper and or is taking a little longer to clean after the first two, shoot a group of 3 rounds and clean. Then a group of 5 and clean.

After you shoot the 3rd group and 5th group, watch how long it takes to clean. Also notice your group sizes. If the group sizes are good and the cleaning is getting easier or is staying the same, then shoot 4 – 5 round groups.

If fouling appears to be heavy and taking a while to clean, notice your group sizes. If groups sizes are good and not going sour, you don’t have a fouling problem. Some barrels will clean easier than others. Some barrels may take a little longer to break in. Remember that throat. Fouling can start all the way from here. We have noticed sometimes that even up to approximately 100 rounds, a barrel can show signs of a lot of copper, but it still shoots really well and then for no apparent reason, you will notice little to no copper and or it will start to clean easier."

[-HIC-]

Wasting your barrel. Do a search on barrel break in and you will find its a bogus process developed by a barrel maker to create more wear. Thus wearing out a barrel quicker.

But if it makes you feel better, hey, do it. That's a good formula.

Your reasoning is way off, but do agree a lengthy break in is not needed. IMO, a match grade barrel with a clean cut chamber will clean about the same after an initial 1-5 1 shot/clean breakin as it will if you do a long drawn out break in. I typically never see copper as a problem in a hand lapped barrel regardless of method. Some are definitely harder to get clean, no signs of carbon, patches out of though. Don't chase your tail, if you are not seeing blue/green with patches and a good solvent call it good. You can drive yourself crazy seeing a touch of black. I have borescoped a few barrels that do this and can't find the cause.

Best advice I can give is to remove any muzzle device, use a good bore guide, coated one peice rod, and dont damage the crown. Use a chamber mop when you pull the guide and a touch of grease to avoid lug damage.

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[88 Bound]

I’m on par with it being a gimmick. I did literally zero break in with the last 4 factory rifles I bought and have yet to clean the bore of any of them. All will provide touching 3-shot groups at 100. Plenty good enough for the girls I date...

Maybe some of the higher-end customs need break ins?

[-HIC-]

I’m on par with it being a gimmick. I did literally zero break in with the last 4 factory rifles I bought and have yet to clean the bore of any of them. All will provide touching 3-shot groups at 100. Plenty good enough for the girls I date...

Maybe some of the higher-end customs need break ins?

If you have not cleaned them how do you know it is a gimmick? My comments where for match grade barrels and clean cut chambers. Neither of which you will find on standard factory rifles. The bores you mention may shoot great now; however, I would bet a match barrel they are holding copper. And if you do not clean them you will end up with a carbon ring in the throat area that you may have to get a plumber to roto-root out! [emoji848]

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[Rangefinder]

The 'smith that rebarrelled one of mine gave me this guidance when I asked about break-in---"Go out and kill something"

X2

[Raypo]

Make it simple- follow the barrel makers recommended process.