Barrel Break In

T

TrevorMack

Regular
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
Nova Scotia
Is there really a need to break in your barrel, if so what do people find best. Ive read 10 shots, give time in between to cool and also clean between each round. What is the purpose of this and how does it benefit.
 
TrevorMack said:
Is there really a need to break in your barrel, if so what do people find best. Ive read 10 shots, give time in between to cool and also clean between each round. What is the purpose of this and how does it benefit.
Click to expand...

Yes, unless you have a high end professionally hand lapped custom barrel, it is a good idea to break in the barrel The basic purpose is to smooth out the roughness in the bore so it does not foul up with copper quickly when you shoot it. The idea is that if you clean the copper out of the pits with a strong ammonia based copper cleaner the bullet will smooth over the high spots more quickly. Barnes CR-10 is a good copper solvent.

Here is a procedure posted by Savage that is as good as any. It is not cast in stone, and you can adjust it depending on how much copper you find. The patch will turn blue indicating copper.

Barrel Break-In
 
A big difference between mass produced factory barrels and match grade hand lapped custom barrels... Go read what Lilja and Kreiger have to say...
 
Bartledan said:
I'm super glad this has come up again. Yay.
Click to expand...

I like to wrap a bronze cleaning brush with stainless 00 steel wool, then dip that in some 300 grit lapping compound. I'll run that through the bore, back and forth, about 500 times for hammer forged rifling, 1000 times if it's button rifled.
Smooths things out real good.
 
Hitzy said:
I like to wrap a bronze cleaning brush with stainless 00 steel wool, then dip that in some 300 grit lapping compound. I'll run that through the bore, back and forth, about 500 times for hammer forged rifling, 1000 times if it's button rifled.
Smooths things out real good.
Click to expand...

Keep your love life OFF the forum. You've been warned repeatedly.
 
All the major mfg's post their recommended barrel break-in on their websites, usually under the FAQ section.

Some are a fair bit different then others.

I break in my barrels, figure it can't hurt and it's a good excuse to go out and shoot a box or two of ammo.

Look up your mfg's website and see what they say about it. They built it so maybe "their method" is of some value in real life...
 
galamb said:
All the major mfg's post their recommended barrel break-in on their websites, usually under the FAQ section.

Some are a fair bit different then others.

I break in my barrels, figure it can't hurt and it's a good excuse to go out and shoot a box or two of ammo.

Look up your mfg's website and see what they say about it. They built it so maybe "their method" is of some value in real life...
Click to expand...

Same here, I do too and also it serves another purpose in that it helps me become more familiar with the rifle.
Also a good time to verify that the scope if equipped is in the proper spot..
 
Back in the 50's, 60's and even 70's you bought a rifle because of its reputation.

My grandfather and uncles did just that. Many quality rifles of the time did not even come with a manual, you just applied good common sense and or asked someone. Barrel break in was something no one really even heard of in those days...hell a box of twenty shells would last many years - and yet quality rifles upheld their reputations for accuracy, often with open sights and or far less quality glass than avail today. Over the last two decades I have bought three Husqvarna's 1900 action, from the late 60's, early 70's, new in original box still with hanging tags on the trigger guard. No manuals. No mention of a barrel break in requirement. Have used these rifles make 400 yard shots on game that has dropped jaws...(of hunters present..) No barrel break in. Just common sense..

Not saying that a barrel break in may not have its merits on certain rifles and applications, calibers, intended use etc., - however to each their own on this one IMHO....
 
Last edited:
Hitzy said:
I like to wrap a bronze cleaning brush with stainless 00 steel wool, then dip that in some 300 grit lapping compound. I'll run that through the bore, back and forth, about 500 times for hammer forged rifling, 1000 times if it's button rifled.
Smooths things out real good.
Click to expand...

I did laugh, but someone new to shooting could miss the intended sarcasm and perhaps break-in his/her barrel this way. It could happen...
 
Hitzy said:
I like to wrap a bronze cleaning brush with stainless 00 steel wool, then dip that in some 300 grit lapping compound. I'll run that through the bore, back and forth, about 500 times for hammer forged rifling, 1000 times if it's button rifled.
Smooths things out real good.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great way to make a custom caliber shotgun.
 
For the most part, barrel break-in procedures are a waste of time. The first shot will lap out any residual phosphate or other residues that can be found in a new gun and that is pretty much where the effectiveness ends. Each gun has its own tendencies with regards to how much fouling it likes (usually has to do with bore diameter), but you aren't going to correct any rifling issues with a break-in. The throat may clean up a little, but at the expense of throat erosion so it is sort of a win-lose thing. Break-in procedures just get you that much closer to needing a re-barrel, which barrel and gun manufacturers like. That is based on 7 years of ballistic testing, studying, and borescoping barrels as well as observing their performance with the "human factor" removed.

-J
 
Bolt Hole said:
For the most part, barrel break-in procedures are a waste of time. The first shot will lap out any residual phosphate or other residues that can be found in a new gun and that is pretty much where the effectiveness ends. Each gun has its own tendencies with regards to how much fouling it likes (usually has to do with bore diameter), but you aren't going to correct any rifling issues with a break-in. The throat may clean up a little, but at the expense of throat erosion so it is sort of a win-lose thing. Break-in procedures just get you that much closer to needing a re-barrel, which barrel and gun manufacturers like. That is based on 7 years of ballistic testing, studying, and borescoping barrels as well as observing their performance with the "human factor" removed.

-J
Click to expand...
I would agree with this for any high quality barrel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom