New Rifle Break In?
- Thread starter Tawaliga
- Start date
turkeestalker
New member
I have never followed any special procedure to break in a rifle barrel myself, and never noticed any issues with accuracy or cleaning because of it.
This past Christmas I gave both of my sons their first center fire rifle as gifts. The manufacturer recommends a specific break in procedure, and as a learning experience I insisted that both boys follow it. Not saying that it will make any noticeable difference, just saying that I don't think it's necessarily a bad way to introduce someone to a 'new to them' aspect of shooting. Them doing so certainly won't hurt anything.
This past Christmas I gave both of my sons their first center fire rifle as gifts. The manufacturer recommends a specific break in procedure, and as a learning experience I insisted that both boys follow it. Not saying that it will make any noticeable difference, just saying that I don't think it's necessarily a bad way to introduce someone to a 'new to them' aspect of shooting. Them doing so certainly won't hurt anything.
This something we will be debating till the Crack of Doom. My first range session with one of my SIG SHR 970s, in .270, I fired a 1.25" group at 100 yards and I am FAR from being an experienced long range shot. Wood to metal-or plastic-fit and proper screw tension more important IMHO.
All rifles will shoot better and be easier to clean after 50-100 rounds have been down the barrel. The rifle doesn't know if you cleaned it after every shot, after every 5 shots, every 10 shots or after 100 shots.
You can find dozens of people who have tried it both ways, they all claim their method works best.
I'd rather spend my time shooting than cleaning.
You can find dozens of people who have tried it both ways, they all claim their method works best.
I'd rather spend my time shooting than cleaning.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
jmr40 said:
As the theory goes, cleaning more often re-exposes the "rough spots" that are being worn down by the bullet passing. Copper build up on those spots protects them from wear from the next bullet. Cleaning uncovers them.
The part that makes less sense, even though I do it, is why clean after every shot at first but then every 5th and then 10th or whatever. It really should be after every one or 5th, or every other, or every 10th consistently.
I suppose it's been at least a few weeks since the last "barrel break-in" thread, so I'll bite.
Well, I have read all the "expert" opinions- and just like reloading and barrel chambering, there is no "right way" to skin a cat.
However, I am certain that the science behind this video, is absolutely correct:
https://youtu.be/TRRahHX9Zkg
Well, I have read all the "expert" opinions- and just like reloading and barrel chambering, there is no "right way" to skin a cat.
However, I am certain that the science behind this video, is absolutely correct:
https://youtu.be/TRRahHX9Zkg
I don't know. Maybe barrel break in might make a slight difference noticeable in benchrest target shooting. But I don't do any of that. I am only interested in practical accuracy for hunting. And for that I just don't think it would make a noticeable difference in practical accuracy.
I did not break in the barrel on my .30-06. I have fired it 15 times at deer and coyotes and put 13 deer and 2 coyotes on the ground with those 15 shots. The range on the coyotes was 25 and 75 yards. The deer ranged from 25 to 125 yards. In none of those shots did the bullet hit farther than an inch or so from where I put the crosshairs.
Other than when I originally mounted my scope, I haven't fired that rifle more than a dozen times a year. I always fire enough shots before hunting season to make sure it is sighted in and make any minor adjustments necessary. The most I have fired it during any one deer season is four times. I did that twice. This past season I fired it twice and killed two deer.
And I only clean it once a year.
I did not break in the barrel on my .30-06. I have fired it 15 times at deer and coyotes and put 13 deer and 2 coyotes on the ground with those 15 shots. The range on the coyotes was 25 and 75 yards. The deer ranged from 25 to 125 yards. In none of those shots did the bullet hit farther than an inch or so from where I put the crosshairs.
Other than when I originally mounted my scope, I haven't fired that rifle more than a dozen times a year. I always fire enough shots before hunting season to make sure it is sighted in and make any minor adjustments necessary. The most I have fired it during any one deer season is four times. I did that twice. This past season I fired it twice and killed two deer.
And I only clean it once a year.
MY question to people is...why not take the time to do it? It's so easy to do. Anyone with a basement can do it...just get a roll of carpet and a bit log. Or outside, nobody will hear it with the carpet over the barrel. Fire one shot, go in and clean it...repeat to 10. Then clean at the range between groups and you're done. We all spend so much money on a rifle, rings, bases, and scope. Why not take the time to break in the barrel?? I do on every rifle, and my rifles clean up much quicker and easier than other's who have the same rifle. You'll see it taking less and less time through the break in procedure to the point where cleaning after the 7th, 8th shots goes MUCH quicker than the 2nd and 3rd shots. Taking a little time in the beginning saves an enormous amount of cleaning time throughout the life of the rifle. And an improvement in accuracy too? Just do it!
stagpanther
New member
I always break in all barrels on any new firearm. I don't make any representations that not doing so harms it--just for me--it's what I think should be done. IMO--even if cleaning it does no provable enhancing of longevity--I've had too many weapons with "droppings" from manufacturing, shipping and storage that take a while to shake themselves out--and for that reason alone I will still break every new barrel in. The only exception I would make to the quote at the beginning about initial break-in is that I would ALSO use at least quality factory stuff, not the cheapest bargain basement stuff I could find.
Cooper rifles are top shelf. My benchrest rifle started out as a stock Rem 700 LTR 308. Went through the break in process, from the start it was a shooter. Changed the trigger to a Jewell set at 10 ounces, bedded the stock. After 4000+ rounds, changed the barrel to a custom M24 5R 21" Rock Creek, trued. When talking to the company the did the work ( Accurate Ordinance) about barrel break in, the advised me to just shoot it, not to let the barrel heat up. I clean after 25 rounds. I baby the rifle, never disappointed me.
^^^ Interesting. From that page:
We all know about the throat, the "argument" is whether to let the bullets "lap" it through "break-in", or just the process of shooting the rifle.
First I've ever heard of copper "dust" and "plasma"...
But what I don't understand, is why they state that it will be difficult to remove later. Why? IOW, why would the initial copper deposits in a new barrel be more difficult to remove later than "old barrel" copper deposits- with an efficient copper remover??
We all know about the throat, the "argument" is whether to let the bullets "lap" it through "break-in", or just the process of shooting the rifle.
First I've ever heard of copper "dust" and "plasma"...
But what I don't understand, is why they state that it will be difficult to remove later. Why? IOW, why would the initial copper deposits in a new barrel be more difficult to remove later than "old barrel" copper deposits- with an efficient copper remover??