barrel break-in ???

B

BHein

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Location
Warman SK
I recently purchased my first band new rifle (Savage in .243) I wanted to do it all right so I have followed the barrel break-n procedure that I found on several websites. It is very time consuming and inconvenient to clean after every shot or two(so far only about 20 rnds shot) but I don't mind if it means I could do damage to my gun. I just read some posts on precision rifles forum that recommended having a slightly fouled barrel for best performance. At this point I am within 1.5 inch 3-shot groups at 100 yds. I hope I will improve with practice. All this being said, am I just wasting time,energy and guncleaning solution ????:confused:

Thanks for your help
 
pretty much now, your gun is beyond the point where "break in" procedures will do anything good for your accuracy. Depending on how you clean, you could be doing more harm than good. My advice for you would to shoot your rifle until accuracy begins to go south, then clean your bore well.
 
You are going to get alot of mixed opinions on this one. Barrel break-in and cleaning is always a hot subject. For me, on a new rifle I clean with 1 patch every shot for the first 5 then 1 patch every 3 until 15 rounds (5 cleanings) then 1 every 5 for 20 rounds (4 cleanings). After that I clean when I get home regardless of rounds fired at the range. For new rifles I feel it may help to get the fine imperfections out of the bore. After a while it is broken in and your set for many years to come. It is a hassle, but knowing you did you best from new will help (just like a new cars engine). I have a Ruger M77 that is 25+ yrs old (owned from new). Up until last year it had less than 250 rounds through it and I did not really break in the barrel (I didn't know any better back then), it got cleaned after every 20 rounds or so. From last year until now the count its near 500...and accuracy has actually got better...so go figure. Many believe a rifle may take several hundred rounds before it truely gets broken in, others will say less than 20 rounds. Just my 2c. Hope you enjoy your Savage.
 
When I first got into shooting I thought the same thing about breaking in barrels. Then a friend about 25 years my senior asked me what I thought I was accomplishing by cleaning a bore after every shot for the first so many shots. Then cleaning after everyother shot & so on. Was I trying to clear a burr or "align" the rifling down the length of the barrel with two much softer compounds: Copper & Lead? Was I trying to eliminate throat errosion? Were the Burnt powders glazing the "fresh" rifling that without this break in would effect the accuracy of this barrel for its lifetime? When I realized I couldn't justify any of this to him is when, in my own practices, I gave up breaking in barrels.
 
Ask yourself...If given the option of purchasing identical rifles ... which would you choose---the one that had been properly broken in, or one that had "no time wasted" on that procedure, which one would you purchase?
Ask the same question about cleanning after every outing.

I buy several new rifles every year, do a proper break-in, and sell them once I have got them shooting as well as I can. I clean after every outing. I can't vouch for the "long term" benefit of a proper break-in as I don't keep rifles that long ... however, I have had several buyers who say it gives them some comfort knowing the rifle has been cared for from the start.
 
JEC said:
Ask yourself...If given the option of purchasing identical rifles ... which would you choose---the one that had been properly broken in, or one that had "no time wasted" on that procedure, which one would you purchase?
Ask the same question about cleanning after every outing.

I buy several new rifles every year, do a proper break-in, and sell them once I have got them shooting as well as I can. I clean after every outing. I can't vouch for the "long term" benefit of a proper break-in as I don't keep rifles that long ... however, I have had several buyers who say it gives them some comfort knowing the rifle has been cared for from the start.
Click to expand...

My feelings exactly. However, TB touched on something very important as well. Cleaning can be damaging if not done right. I always using a bore guide (long tubes) which guide from the action end. I use quality rods (Dewey's) and proper jags. If cleaning properly, you'll be able to avoid a brush. I've also recently discovered a cleaning product that I really like - Gunslick Foaming Bore Cleaner. Man does that stuff work great.
 
Barrel manufacturers are split just like its shooter on whether a 'break in" routine is required. Though they all believe regular maint/cleaning is important provided the proper tools and techniques are used.

JMHO but the biggest thing you want to avoid is heat on a new barrel and if swabbing it after every shot allows you to slow down then its worth the time.

I have followed breakins and not, can't say i have seen any difference (should include if the gun performs i am a keeper vs a seller). Very first thing i do is clean it thoroughly before I fire a bullet, remove any lube, grit, etc. Once at the range for first few sessions with a new bore I rarily shoot a typical group. Instead I shot 1 let it cool, shoot another cool..repeat. Typically I treat it in this manner for the first 2-3 range sessions. Unless i see heavy fouling upon cleaning I consider it broken in enough to start firing 3 shot groups after 30 shots or so. During this new stage I take other rifles/guns to shoot, passes the time.

I always clean after every range session.

My practice for hunting is shoot a verify group prior to heading to the field, then leave it slightly fouled. However I make sure I note POI changes (if they exist) for clean vs slightly fouled in the event I need to clean it during hunting.

Since you started a routine might as well see it through, it won't hurt anything provided you use proper tools (coated 1 piece rod, bore guide, bronze brushes, proper cal jag/patch, solvents and light gun oils).

Good luck and enjoy your new rifle!
 
When I break in a barrel, after I clean down to bare metal, I coat the inside of the barrel with Gun Juice (Microlon) or Kroil. The heat from the propellant gasses and the oil burnish the bore not unlike what happens when you treat a cast iron frying pan in the oven.

The bore of a quality barrel is not normally rough, and fouling is caused at the chamber. The reamer used to cut the chamber runs across the lay of the steel, and leaves tiny ridges in the throat of the chamber. When the bullet passes over these ridges, metal is stripped from the bullet and suspended in the propellant gasses. Fouling occurs as these particles are deposited along the barrel under great pressure as the bullet moves along the bore. If the barrel is not broken in, these ridges over time become flame hardened and soon are impossible to remove. The result is a rifle that will foul badly until the barrel is replaced.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom