How to I break in the barrel on my Tikka T3 Lite Stainless Synthetic in .25-06 Rem?

bmorsh

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I've got a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless Synthetic in .25-06 Remington. I have shot it at the range over the past 8 days two times, once to sight it in and get used it it (some 25 rounds) and then today for fun, some 10 rounds. So, 40 rounds would be an stretch. I can put, at 100 yards, 2 shots on top of each other (nearly) consistently 115 gr ballistic silvertip. What is the best way to clean it, and what is the recommended break-in procedure. Many thanks in advance.
 
[youtube]TRRahHX9Zkg[/youtube]

I'm in the "clean it when you get it and clean it after the first range trip" camp. Some people say you should clean it after every shot for 5 shots, then every third shot for 15 shots then every 5 shots ect. In reality there is no definitive proof that there is a proper way to break in a barrel. Most people would recommend a cleaning to start and a cleaning after a few groups though.
 
There are still a lot of misconceptions floating around about barrel "break-in".

One of such is that it will make your rifle more accurate. This is hogwash!!

The real purpose behind shoot/clean, shoot/clean is to condition the barrel
for future ease of cleaning.
This it does accomplish.

For custom barrels, it is good to follow the manufacturers protocol.

For factory barrels, I like to shoot 1, clean [for 5 shots], then shoot 3, clean for
an additional dozen, then shoot 5, clean for 15 more.

As far as accuracy goes, you get what you buy, more or less. Factory barrels
can be surprisingly accurate, or can be dismal. [they tend to be pretty good overall, though.]

I have a borescope, and have looked through a fair number of barrels.
The way a barrel looks inside MAY give a clue as to how it will shoot, but even that is
far from definitive.

I have a factory rifle that looks rather rough through the borescope.
But it is a very accurate rifle, and does not foul badly.

I recently took a look down the barrel of a well-respected [for accuracy] rifle make from Europe.
There was a serious looking flaw in one land about 1/3 of the way back from the muzzle.
This rifle shoots moa with most of what it is fed, but will begin to copper foul at the flaw after 20+ shots.
Then accuracy starts to deteriorate.
Clean it up....back to moa or better.
The owner has chosen to leave well enough alone, just keep it clean.

However, many shooters are plenty happy just to clean the firearm initially before they shoot it.
Then take it out and shoot a box or two of ammo.

If it works for them, I'm OK with that.

Regards, Dave.
 
[youtube]TRRahHX9Zkg[/youtube]

I'm in the "clean it when you get it and clean it after the first range trip" camp. Some people say you should clean it after every shot for 5 shots, then every third shot for 15 shots then every 5 shots ect. In reality there is no definitive proof that there is a proper way to break in a barrel. Most people would recommend a cleaning to start and a cleaning after a few groups though.

I only clean them when I'm done for the day, then put it away for the next time.
 
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