I've read many posts about "breaking in a barrel" but one thing that never said is 1) is it necessary and 2) how to do it properly. I ask as I've got a new Savage on the way and ant to get the best performance out of it. So does it need to be done and if so, how???
Barrel break in??
- Thread starter Katana
- Start date
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Ask 100 people, get 150 answers.
This is too funny - it was only yesterday that I was thinking 'mmm, haven't seen a barrel break-in thread for a while". Anyway, some swear by it and some people think it is total hogwash. I was recommended to use the sinclair method by Kimber USA which I think was shoot one clean shoot one clean for x number of rounds etc but can't recall details. Personally, I am on the side of the hogwash crowd so now I just shoot and clean when I get home or when I notice groups opening up ( still struggling with idea of putting a dirty rifle back in safe but slowly coming around ).
I had researched it as well and came to the conclusion that everyone has their own voodoo about it. Never found any real data on it based on a controlled test, and it would be a bit time consuming and not all that easy to do a proper controlled unquestionable test on it anyhow, so all you get is varying personal experience and the choice to pick the one you feel best about.
I went with the, "it doesn't hurt to do it, even if it might not do anything at all". So I cleaned after each of the first 10 shots, then between a few 3 round groups, and that was that.
If you don't do it and for some reason it shoots and fouls like hell, you might wonder if its because you didn't "break it in" even if reality is it might have made no difference. It at least removes 1 variable and adds a little peace of mind.
I went with the, "it doesn't hurt to do it, even if it might not do anything at all". So I cleaned after each of the first 10 shots, then between a few 3 round groups, and that was that.
If you don't do it and for some reason it shoots and fouls like hell, you might wonder if its because you didn't "break it in" even if reality is it might have made no difference. It at least removes 1 variable and adds a little peace of mind.
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
There is no such thing. Shoot the damn gun and enjoy it.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
1) is it necessary YES
2) how to do it properly - BY SHOOTING YOUR RIFLE.
When you get your factory rifle, clean that bore like you will never do it again (and you will not). There can be a super strong rust preventative in the bore and you MUST get this out before your first shot. think bulged barrels.... bad kharma.
Bed that action properly in that stock. EVERY savage factory rifle needs that TLC.
Then shoot it working up loads. Most factory barrels are going to copper - some more then others. As you send some rds down range, the urge to clean will hit so clean. When the patches are a light grey, shoot some more.
If you get copper, guess what, you have a factory barrel.
Shoot, clean when you must, shoot some more. Enjoy
Jerry
- Location
- Meaford Ontario
clean before you shoot and clean after you shoot!
1) is it necessary YES
2) how to do it properly - BY SHOOTING YOUR RIFLE.
When you get your factory rifle, clean that bore like you will never do it again (and you will not). There can be a super strong rust preventative in the bore and you MUST get this out before your first shot. think bulged barrels.... bad kharma.
Bed that action properly in that stock. EVERY savage factory rifle needs that TLC.
Then shoot it working up loads. Most factory barrels are going to copper - some more then others. As you send some rds down range, the urge to clean will hit so clean. When the patches are a light grey, shoot some more.
If you get copper, guess what, you have a factory barrel.
Shoot, clean when you must, shoot some more. Enjoy
Jerry
Well I'm glad I started this thread as that's something I didn't know. I'm guessing that any good cleaner will work???
Jerry, is it necessary to bed the Accu-Stock???
Head on over to 6mm BR and read what Gale McMillan has to say on the subject. Surely you know McMillan rifle stocks?
http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html
Spoiler Alert: He says pretty much what Jerry says. Shoot it.
http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html
Spoiler Alert: He says pretty much what Jerry says. Shoot it.
I had a Bartlein barrel installed a few years ago. After the first shot there was very visable copper on the lands and in the grooves. So I cleaned it with Sweets 7.62. After the next shot you could hardly see the cooper, so I fired a couple more shots and cleaned. Then I fired 10 shots and could not see any copper. So I cleaned again any way then switched to moly coated bullets. After a couple hundred shots the groups opened up so I cleaned it again.
Next barrel I had installed was a Kreiger. I didn't see any cooper after 10 shots, but I cleaned it any way, then switched to moly coated bullets. I clean when the groups open up.
Each barrel is different and I believe each one may need their own method of breaking in. With a factory pipe, just clean it and shoot it, clean it again when the groups open up.
Next barrel I had installed was a Kreiger. I didn't see any cooper after 10 shots, but I cleaned it any way, then switched to moly coated bullets. I clean when the groups open up.
Each barrel is different and I believe each one may need their own method of breaking in. With a factory pipe, just clean it and shoot it, clean it again when the groups open up.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Prove to yourself.
When you get the rifle, take the action out of the stock, flip it over and see what you see.
I bet you see 2 grey lines on either side of the mag opening and a nice square patch on the lug.
And the rifle hasn't even been shot yet.
And that is all the contact the action has with the stock.
Let us know what you see.
Jerry
PS, There are alot of cleaners..... very few that are good. But before a big ####e storm starts up, decide on how you want to clean, how long you want to clean, and WHAT you want to clean.
That is how you will judge good.
I do a 10 shot (some times only about 7) "shoot and clean" after every shot ... break-in with all my new barrels. I subscribe to the Krieger recommendation and the rationnale they use..check their website. I don't believe break-in affects accuracy, but it may make subsequent cleanings easier. It is also possible that a proper break-in may result in slower fouling which would make it possible to shoot longer strings before accuracy drops off. Every barrel is different, and there is no way of proving any theory.
Ha Ha - very good !
