Do rifles really have a break-in?

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I've read many people say yes, barrels have break in and some people say it's hogwash.

From my experience, very well made barrels do not need break in. But maybe military grade guns like SKS and VZ58 variants might benefit from break in? I'm thinking that if it has a chrome lined bore, that it should have some break in since chrome lining increases the imperfections in the bore, and thus would benefit from break in?

No theories - what's your real life experience? I own an SKS that has terrible accuracy, and I'm hoping it will get better over time. What's your experience? Thanks!
 
Never do no break in procedure to any of my rifles, just not bring it burning hot in the first 10 rounds or so, then you are good to go... JP.
 
I'm not asking about break in procedures. I'm asking whether after firing X number of rounds in their red rifle, did the accuracy get better?
 
I guess it can't hurt to run a patch down the barrel every 5 shots or so for the first little bit. This can be argued both ways I suppose. Chrome barrels might be less critical I don't know. I do know that there is definitely a break in period for muzzleloaders but they are different animals.
 
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That's why I am not looking for argument or debate. I am asking about people's experiences. Since "everyone" has an SKS, surely someone has an answer: did your red rifle get more accurate after shooting X number of rounds?
 
I would say that it's the same idea as tuning parts on your M305 or other Norinco gun. Well made components should not need a "break-in" procedure, because they should be the way the manufacturer intends them to be and not have rough edges that need polishing or burrs that need removing. To my mind, breaking in a gun is no different than "finishing" the manufacturing process.
 
I haven't noticed a change in accuracy but after a few hundred rounds the moving parts have mated better and the action is much smoother from when it was new.

So I'd say yes rifles do have a break in period, but I've noticed it more in terms of the action slicking up rather than anything to do with accuracy.
 
I personally clean the bore every 5-10 rds for the first 100 rds on all me firearms. Don't know if it helps at all, but definetly isn't hurting anything.
Some say the is NO breakin period for chrome lined barrels. At the end of the day just follow manufactures specs.
 
The only part that may 'break in' a little bit on some guns is the trigger. Hence the reason why some people polish parts within the trigger mechanisms to speed along the process of smoothing out some of the rougher bits/grittiness.
 
Because an SKS is a surplus rifle, its already be fired...a lot! The only time a "brake in period" makes sense is in a new barrel, where there is / might be burrs on the rifling. So by cleaning the barrel every 4-5 shots you lesson the chance of a piece of metal ( burr on the rifling) being force or in bedded in to the barrel. So shot a couple rounds, clean out the small little metal pieces, shot a couple shots clean out the small metal pieces......repeat until you get know little metal pieces.
By doing this you lesson the chance of marking or scaring the barrel , thus making the barrel more accurate in the long run.
 
A number of years ago I first saw a bore-coat kit in a magazine, it had three grades of ceramic paste that basically smoothed the toolmarks and imperfections, and filled any pitting. Basically run a patch, shoot it through, run the next grade, repeat. I figure it has the effect of "break-in" but was advertized as an accurizer. Anyone have experience with these?

I tried to find one online but this is similar:
http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleani...re-solvents/dyna-bore-coat-kit-prod41538.aspx
"Chemical bore treatment produces a permanent, significant reduction in fouling, so you can shoot more and clean less often. When you do clean, carbon, lead, copper, and plastic wad or sabot fouling come out much more easily than from an untreated bore. A typical rifle may need only a few passes with wet and dry patches to get down to the bare metal, even after firing hundreds of shots. No hard scrubbing with bronze/stainless steel brushes, or harsh copper- and lead-removing solvents. For black powder shooters, Dyna-Bore Coat eliminates “carbon ring” buildup, and for benchrest shooters, it simplifies initial barrel break-in by eliminating the time-consuming method of cleaning after every shot when breaking in a barrel. Easy-to-apply: get the bore completely clean following the kit’s instructions included, apply the alcohol prep solution, then apply the Bore Coat solution using a loose-fitting patch. Dyna-Bore bonds molecularly to the barrel, and once cured (after 8-10 rounds) is only .25 microns thick, so it has no effect on velocity, point of impact, or group size. One application will last the useful life of the bore. Enough to coat the bores of 5-6 long guns."
 
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