Breaking in a SKS barrel. Is it Necessary?

BeaverMeat

BeaverMeat

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
331   0   1
Location
Nanaimo, B.C.
I have read that some barrels need to be broken in to fully harness the accuracy potential. Does this imply to a chrome lined military barrel? Or mainly for custom precision barrels?
 
Go with a non chrome lined barrel if you want accuracy they shoot allot better but with corrosive ammo.... they might not be in good shape.
 
Last edited:
I totally disagree with those of you saying the SKS is not a very accurate gun, ok your not going to be killing flies at 500 yards but it wasn't designed for that. At 100 yards I can punch out the middle of the target all day long. Like any other gun I suggest you get to know it, once you are on a first name bassis with this gun you will see she performs quite well. As for breaking it in, I would say fire it a bunch to learn it and after about 200 rounds you will know what your skill level is and what to expect from the SKS
 
I am a FIRM believer that the no barrel needs to be "broken in".

Clean off the factory/packing grease...buy some ammo...go shoot it...clean when required. Repeat.
 
I would do a thurow break in on that barrel ... Take it to the range and pound 500 rounds through it then throw it under your work bench and take it out a couple weeks later and do the same thing. Hell fire rounds through it untill the barrel melts off and buy another one.
 
Ires80 said:
I totally disagree with those of you saying the SKS is not a very accurate gun, ok your not going to be killing flies at 500 yards but it wasn't designed for that. At 100 yards I can punch out the middle of the target all day long. Like any other gun I suggest you get to know it, once you are on a first name bassis with this gun you will see she performs quite well. As for breaking it in, I would say fire it a bunch to learn it and after about 200 rounds you will know what your skill level is and what to expect from the SKS
Click to expand...

I have to agree, I own several SKS Rifles and within 100 yards they are great on accuracy.
 
While this was meant for Krieger barrels, the SKS barrels are in that category, so follow these instructions to make her a bench rest queen:
http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/Break_In__Cleaning-c1246-wp2558.htm

BREAK IN:



The following is a guide to "break-in" based on our experience. This is not a hard and fast rule, only a guide. Some barrel, chamber, bullet, primer, powder, pressure, velocity etc. combinations may require more cycles some less. It is a good idea to just observe what the barrel is telling you with its fouling pattern and the patches. But once it is broken in, there is no need to continue breaking it in.



Initially you should perform the shoot-one-shot-and-clean cycle for five shots. If fouling hasn't reduced, fire five more cycles and so on until fouling begins to drop off. At that point shoot three shots before cleaning and observe. If fouling is reduced, fire five shots before cleaning. Do not be alarmed if your seating depth gets longer during break in. This is typical of the “high” spots in the throat being knocked down during this procedure. It is not uncommon for throat length to grow .005”-.030” from a fresh unfired chamber during break in.



Stainless Chrome moly

5-10 one-shot cycles 5 - 25 - one-shot cycles

1 three-shot cycle 2 - three-shot cycles

1 five-shot cycle 1 - five-shot cycle
Click to expand...
 
I never broke in my SKS barrel and it does fine out to 300m on the irons. While you are not going to get sub moa groups at long distance, it is most certainly an "accurate" rifle for what it was designed to do.
 
Ires80 said:
I totally disagree with those of you saying the SKS is not a very accurate gun, ok your not going to be killing flies at 500 yards but it wasn't designed for that. At 100 yards I can punch out the middle of the target all day long. Like any other gun I suggest you get to know it, once you are on a first name bassis with this gun you will see she performs quite well. As for breaking it in, I would say fire it a bunch to learn it and after about 200 rounds you will know what your skill level is and what to expect from the SKS
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree with you. The first time I took mine out it was to a 25 meter indoor range. I was all over the place and figured it was going to be a horribly inaccurate rifle. But after around 100 rounds and getting to know it's quirks, I felt more comfortable with it. After a little grease to smooth out the trigger, it turned into an impressive 100 yard shooter. Anything beyond that is a futile attempt due to my eyes going, but I'm pretty sure she'd hit pretty well out at 200.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom