Breaking in a new rifle

I know a fellow, now deceased, that would check out a bore on a new rifle before fireing it, and if he really didn't like it would firelap it with one round.
He didn't particularly like doing this, but it saved him a lot of time.
He claimed that it was his experience that the rifle would become consistant far more quickly and usually have a bore that didn't foul as much.
Like it or not, some barrels, wether lapped or not will foul badly, even Shilen, Hart and Gaillard match grades to name a few. On the other hand, I've had a few cheaper bbls, such as Adams and Bennett that show almost no fouling at all and are just as accurate as the expensive barrels.
Lapping when done properly, and I'm not saying any of the above aren't, will usually enhance any bbl, there is also a camp that feels to smooth a barrel will also cause copper fouling.
As for a break in period of cleaning and scrubbing with JB or its clones, that's up to the individual. GitrDun has a very good system there and definitely deserves a try, especially with an out of the box, off the shelf Remchester or its ilk.
After all, it can't hurt anything and it gets all of the packageing protective lube off the rifle and out of the moveing parts.
The process of fireing any cartridge is going to cause wear on any barrel, after every shot. Some rifles will only shoot well with a little fouling, wether they be your favorite hunter or custom built bench rest and everything in between.
I love the rare rifle that will shoot to POA from a freshly cleaned barrel as well as from a slightly fouled barrel. Few and far between are these gems and if you have one, keep it, as finding another can be aggravateing as well as expensive. I personally think it's one of the reasons so many people buy and sell the same calibre and make of rifle so often, only to pick up another in the hopes of finding one that will perform well from almost any barrel condition. bearhunter
 
Last edited:
You should probably find out what type of manufacturing technique was used on your particular barrel.
Cold hammer forged barrels do not need extensive break-in ... neither do most customs as they already benefit from hand lapping by the barrel maker.
Here is a good link... note the quote from P.O. Ackley on breaking barrels... "No need for it, just wears the barrel out!" P.O. Ackley.
I don't agree with him on that logic but whatever.

http://www.border-barrels.com/articles/bmart.htm
 
I don't think you will ever get twwo barrel makers agreeing on ANYTHING, except about how much work is involved in making a good barrel!:D
I do know that ###le MacMillan thought that breaking in for a number of rounds was nothing but a ploy to sell barrels.
Button rifled, hammer forged, or cut?
I have owned ans shot all of them in competition and have had good ones in all, and very few dogs, although I do remember one in particular.
A bullet maker of note was having a conversation with me a few years back, and said that he had not been satisfied with no less than THREE barrels from a
very well know gunsmith, but I have never had a bad one or know anyone else that has , from the same guy!:confused:
Douglas, as most know, button rifles their barrels, and have been since the 50's.
I have seen their "second" barrels run super tight in more than a few sporting rifles, although Ai know some very good competition shooters that won't go near their premium barrels!
Stainless rods are another one that the World's best shooters cannot agree on.....
Cat
 
Gibbs505 said:
Haven't change(d) it to Dion yet?

No, can't find one anywhere. Besides, I kind of like Dion:eek: , contrary to Pol Martin who had a certain charisma/power to voters, Dion comes across as a fruitrollup to the 'undecided' and fencesitters.... and that can't be a bad thing.:canadaFlag:
 
I just bought a new Weatherby 300 Mag in Ultralight trim. Here is Weatherby's recommended breakin procedure, which I followed. Part of me thinks it sa good way for them to sell a couple extra boxes of expensive ammo... thank goodness I reload my own.

*********************
TWO BOX BARREL BREAK-IN

This barrel break-in takes two boxes of ammunition to complete. Start out by shooting one round at a time, cleaning the barrel thoroughly after each round and allowing it to cool. This process should be followed for a total of ten rounds.

Then take the remaining 30 rounds and shoot three shot groups, cleaning the barrel thoroughly after each group and allowing it to cool completely. Once ten, three shot groups have been fired the barrel is adequately broken in. At this point the rifle can be sighted in and used.
*************

This gun shoots sub MOA at 100 yards now. I found that the following loads prduced the best results.

Weatherby brass once fired in the gun;
78 grains of H 4831
180 grain Nosler Partition Sp
Federal 210 Large Mag Primers
Case Trimmed to spec with full sizing.
 
Back
Top Bottom