Hey guys,
I've noticed a few threads on barrel break-in, as well as thoughts on accuracy with moly bullets. So thought I would list my process for getting the most accuracy out of a rifle, as well as moly:
Break-In: The 8-Step Process
Step #1. Get your rifle to the range. Start shooting. (Usually I do 3 shot groups to check my zero, and then start doing 5 shot groups from there.) So in this case, fire 3 shots.
Step #2. Check your target for group size.
Step #3. Fire a 5 shot group.
Step #4. Check your group. (Usually at this point you will have your zero, and then the tricky part really starts).
Step #5. Start shooting at the metal gongs at 200 and 350 yards. Make sure you are firing at least a round every 20 seconds. This really helps to season the barrel. Pass the rifle around to your buddies, shoot from field positions. Even better make called shots at 350 when you are shooting off-hand. Make sure you bet money. Do this for at least 30 rounds, or until the barrel is so hot you can't touch it.
Step #6. Relax for a bit. Test out some other rifles. Give your rifle's metallurgical content time to harden/settle. This is the real secret.
Step #7. Now your rifle is "seasoned", and will provide years of pristine MOA accuracy. Be sure to fire off all the rest of your ammo, making sure you are touching off 3 rounds for every 1 the shooter on the next bench is touching off.
Step #8. Go home. Put rifle in closet. Don't worry about cleaning, cause that is just crazy talk. Sleep well knowing your rifle is now the most accurate in your hunting crew.
And there you have it. A simple 8-Step process for getting the most accuracy out of your rifle. No need for bore guides, or cleaning rods, or anything silly like that.
Moly-Coated Bullets
Moly bullets are quite the hot topic on CGN. Some swear by them, some think they are over-rated. Here is my Craig Boddington-esque opinion on the matter:
Step #1. When it comes to shooting moly bullets, you need to make sure your barrel has been properly broken in (See above.) Secondly, you need to make sure your barrel is immaculately clean. But if that is too much work, then leave it dirty. No big deal.
Step #2. Make up some moly loads. Just use your regular load data. Some guys say you will lose velocity do to decreased friction, but I mean, who has time to check that. And just use lee dippers for powder charges, because "close is good enough".
Step #3. Take your loads to the range. Start shooting. Again, I can't stress enough, make sure your barrel is either clean/dirty at this point.
note This is where some confusion arises. It has been said you need to season your barrel first with a coating of moly. In my experience, I don't even know where to find that stuff, so feel free to use any sort of lube ie. wd40, hoppes, spit. As I'm sure most all of CGNers agree, lube is lube after all.
Step #4. Check your group size. If you have followed the procedure right, you should have noticed a sizeable decrease in your group size, somewhere along the lines of .002 MOA. As this is really hard to tell without a micrometer and science lab, just eyeball it and tell everyone how awesome it works.
(Remember, you need to follow correct barrel break-in procedure to get accurate date.)
So there you have it gentleman. I hope this tutorial has been helpful, and will allow everyone here on the great site that is CGN to achieve the best results from their rifles. Keep your stick on the ice -Hansol
I've noticed a few threads on barrel break-in, as well as thoughts on accuracy with moly bullets. So thought I would list my process for getting the most accuracy out of a rifle, as well as moly:
Break-In: The 8-Step Process
Step #1. Get your rifle to the range. Start shooting. (Usually I do 3 shot groups to check my zero, and then start doing 5 shot groups from there.) So in this case, fire 3 shots.
Step #2. Check your target for group size.
Step #3. Fire a 5 shot group.
Step #4. Check your group. (Usually at this point you will have your zero, and then the tricky part really starts).
Step #5. Start shooting at the metal gongs at 200 and 350 yards. Make sure you are firing at least a round every 20 seconds. This really helps to season the barrel. Pass the rifle around to your buddies, shoot from field positions. Even better make called shots at 350 when you are shooting off-hand. Make sure you bet money. Do this for at least 30 rounds, or until the barrel is so hot you can't touch it.
Step #6. Relax for a bit. Test out some other rifles. Give your rifle's metallurgical content time to harden/settle. This is the real secret.
Step #7. Now your rifle is "seasoned", and will provide years of pristine MOA accuracy. Be sure to fire off all the rest of your ammo, making sure you are touching off 3 rounds for every 1 the shooter on the next bench is touching off.
Step #8. Go home. Put rifle in closet. Don't worry about cleaning, cause that is just crazy talk. Sleep well knowing your rifle is now the most accurate in your hunting crew.
And there you have it. A simple 8-Step process for getting the most accuracy out of your rifle. No need for bore guides, or cleaning rods, or anything silly like that.
Moly-Coated Bullets
Moly bullets are quite the hot topic on CGN. Some swear by them, some think they are over-rated. Here is my Craig Boddington-esque opinion on the matter:
Step #1. When it comes to shooting moly bullets, you need to make sure your barrel has been properly broken in (See above.) Secondly, you need to make sure your barrel is immaculately clean. But if that is too much work, then leave it dirty. No big deal.
Step #2. Make up some moly loads. Just use your regular load data. Some guys say you will lose velocity do to decreased friction, but I mean, who has time to check that. And just use lee dippers for powder charges, because "close is good enough".
Step #3. Take your loads to the range. Start shooting. Again, I can't stress enough, make sure your barrel is either clean/dirty at this point.
note This is where some confusion arises. It has been said you need to season your barrel first with a coating of moly. In my experience, I don't even know where to find that stuff, so feel free to use any sort of lube ie. wd40, hoppes, spit. As I'm sure most all of CGNers agree, lube is lube after all.
Step #4. Check your group size. If you have followed the procedure right, you should have noticed a sizeable decrease in your group size, somewhere along the lines of .002 MOA. As this is really hard to tell without a micrometer and science lab, just eyeball it and tell everyone how awesome it works.
(Remember, you need to follow correct barrel break-in procedure to get accurate date.)
So there you have it gentleman. I hope this tutorial has been helpful, and will allow everyone here on the great site that is CGN to achieve the best results from their rifles. Keep your stick on the ice -Hansol
