So what is everyone's thoughts on how to break in a new barrel? I've been researching it a bit and it seems like a royal pain in the a**. Do I really need to shoot 100 rounds through it? Do I really need to shoot once, clean once for the 1st 10-20 rounds and then after that, clean after every 3 rounds or so? Some guys say to just shoot 20-30 rounds and call it good. What does everyone think? I'm going to have a new rifle soon and am trying to get this all straight.
Breaking in a Barrel Advice
- Thread starter Flatrock
- Start date
BuzzH
Well-known member
I dont know...but I think that this may be as correct as any other way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRRahHX9Zkg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRRahHX9Zkg
npaden
Well-known member
You hear about 100 different methods and when it comes down to it, I don't think any of it matters if you are using your rifle for anything other than competitive shooting.
It will take some shooting before you get the copper fouling under control, it makes sense to me to clean it often at first with a good copper cleaning solution, but I don't think it is going to change much for a hunting rifle.
It will take some shooting before you get the copper fouling under control, it makes sense to me to clean it often at first with a good copper cleaning solution, but I don't think it is going to change much for a hunting rifle.
pseshooter300
Member
Lol I didn't expect that
gundog
New member
"Breaking in" a barrel is about minimizing how quickly the barrel fouls in the future. A cut rifled barrel that hasn't had enough polishing tends to accumulate fouling faster than a highly polished barrel. Hammer forged or button fifled barrels typically need little break in.
Bambistew
Well-known member
Who makes cut rifeled barrels?
Bartlien, Krieger, Brux, Rock and Mark Chanlynn are a few makers of custom cut rifled barrels. Breaking in a barrel has many different camps on it's benifits. Here's Gail McMillans take http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html
And this is Kriegers opinion http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/Break_In__Cleaning-c1246-wp2558.htm
I have a Bartlien on my rifle. I just fired 3 round groups while working up a load right from the start. I let the barrel cool to ambient temp between each round and cleaned between each group. There was very little copper fouling from the first group, one patch and it was gone. After that I haven't seen any signs of copper fouling. These are average 3 shot groups.
Wes
And this is Kriegers opinion http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/Break_In__Cleaning-c1246-wp2558.htm
I have a Bartlien on my rifle. I just fired 3 round groups while working up a load right from the start. I let the barrel cool to ambient temp between each round and cleaned between each group. There was very little copper fouling from the first group, one patch and it was gone. After that I haven't seen any signs of copper fouling. These are average 3 shot groups.
Wes
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sweetnectar
New member
I'd fire one round, then clean, 3 rounds, then clean, 6 rounds then clean, and 12 rounds then clean. After that I figure the law of diminishing returns applies to were it isn't worth messing with.
If your worried about accuracy the main thing I'd do is don't clean from the crown side and protect the crown. I hear the big accuracy guys always talking about protecting the crown of the barrel.
If your worried about accuracy the main thing I'd do is don't clean from the crown side and protect the crown. I hear the big accuracy guys always talking about protecting the crown of the barrel.
That is how barrels are made. You take a chunk of steel and drill/cut a hole through it. Then you cut rifling into the steel and it leaves small machine or cut or tool marks.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
That'd be rough on a french walnut....
Not all barrels are made by cut rifling, I'd guess that actually most aren't. Button rifling and hammer forging of a barrel are more common. From wikipedia:
pressing all grooves at once with a tool called a "button" that is pushed or pulled down the barrel (button rifling);
forging the barrel over a mandrel containing a reverse image of the rifling, and often the chamber as well (hammer forging);
pseshooter300
Member
Mcmillan says it is a waist of time and money that is interesting I had been wondering this myself
belly-deep
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2009
- Messages
- 3,459
John Barsness also says he believes it is mostly a waste of time.
Read this:
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/newsletters/February_2010.html
Read this:
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/newsletters/February_2010.html
Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. One article that I read said that a guy can easily do more harm than good to the barrel and crown by cleaning it so much during the break-in process. I think I'll tone it back a bit from a 100 rounds.
WapitiBob
Well-known member
I have a new Rem 7STW, 1 round and clean, 3 rounds and clean, 3 and clean till I had shot 25 rounds. I have 40 thru it now and it copper fouls so frigging bad after 5 shots it takes 2 hours with copper paste, plastic brush, and copper solvent to clean the dam thing.
Absolute pain in the ass.
Absolute pain in the ass.
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pseshooter300
Member
So the people that thinks it is a waste of time how often do you clean
pseshooter300
Member
Ok I just was curious
tarheel
Well-known member
I'm in the process of building a rifle and will be lapping the barrel before firing. That should minimize the break-in required if I do it properly. You might look on YouTube for the tutorials on that process.
Interesting stuff here. I always assumed you needed to break-in a barrel. My rifle is currently being rebuilt with a Lilja barrel being installed and on Lilja's website they recommend breaking in a barrel and how to do it
http://www.riflebarrels.com/support/centerfire_maintenance.htm
http://www.riflebarrels.com/support/centerfire_maintenance.htm
WapitiBob
Try Montana Extreme Copper Killer. It is the best copper solvent that i have tried. Whatever you don't challenge the instructions about using it in a WELL ventilated area, and don't ever take a sniff to see how strong the smell is. If you do it will feel like you have been hit over the head with a sledge hammer. Don't ask me how I know , just trust me. I have also tried Wipe Out foaming bore cleaner. It works great, just haven't tried it on a copper fouled barrel.
Tarheel
If your building a custom rifle using a custom barrel you might want to check with your barrel maker about lapping their barrel. Most barrel makers that I have talked to say NOT to lapp a custom barrel. They will not honor the warranty if you do.
Wes
Try Montana Extreme Copper Killer. It is the best copper solvent that i have tried. Whatever you don't challenge the instructions about using it in a WELL ventilated area, and don't ever take a sniff to see how strong the smell is. If you do it will feel like you have been hit over the head with a sledge hammer. Don't ask me how I know , just trust me. I have also tried Wipe Out foaming bore cleaner. It works great, just haven't tried it on a copper fouled barrel.
Tarheel
If your building a custom rifle using a custom barrel you might want to check with your barrel maker about lapping their barrel. Most barrel makers that I have talked to say NOT to lapp a custom barrel. They will not honor the warranty if you do.
Wes
