The Truth About Barrel Break-Ins?

Obtunded said:
Clean it when it tells you it needs to be cleaned. if the gun is shooting accurately, why clean it? Some hammer forged barrels (Remington) are ghastly and foul faster than white gonch at a prune-eating contest. Others (Tikka) can resist fouling quite nicely and of course there are exceptions within every brand.
Click to expand...

if the gun is shooting accurately, why clean it?....

One good reason is if you don't want it to quit shooting accurately in the middle of a target. That is the reason Short Range Benchrest Shooters often clean after every target. (5 or 10 shots) They know their barrel only requires a fouler (maybe 2) and then the barrel is producing the best accuracy... and that this peak accuracy will fall off eventually as the barrel fouls.

The accuracy requirements and competition are considerably different in 'precision rifle shooting' and shoot until the accuracy falls off is acceptable for many.

What is in your mind?
foul faster than white gonch at a prune-eating contest!
What the hell is that? :D
 
Strange thing for me is the rifle continues to get better, every shoot I go out... now that could be me getting back in the swing of things... or I guess it could also be the rifle, getting the first few hundred rounds through it so the closer it gets to that, the closer it gets to the peak performance of its life...

But it could just mean it's a dirty girl and likes being dirty? :D

Thanks,
- Koshy
 
How often to clean?

I have a 200 yard range behind the house. One of my jobs includes testing various lots of 308 ammo. A test typically involves 200 to 300 rounds. I usually shoot 3 groups of 10 shots each from each lot.

I start with a cleaned barrel and fire a pair of 5 shot groups with known top-quality handloads (to prove that the rifle/scope is accurate). The second group is almost always better. First group is around 0.75" and second group is around 0.4".

After the testing I shoot a 10 shot group with the original handloads to prove that the rifle is still shooting well. It is usually in the range of 0.5 to 0.6".

When I go into competition (used to be Target Rifle -now I shoot F Class) I clean and foul before the match and then don't clean until I can't stand it. This takes at least 200 rounds.

I consider it a fact that the first few shots after cleaning are not as good as those that follow. When I clean after 200 shots, I can't see that it was really needed.

I must point out that I use custom made, hand-lapped stainless barrels. A factory barrel would be different.
 
And yet, I have fired many sub .2 moa groups in competition with no sighters or foulers. I do not consider it a fact that the first few shots after cleaning are not as good. That said, I do clean less often than I did in years past . If I have a barrel that shoots badly when clean, I have a barrel which will not be on the rifle any longer than it takes me to pull it off. Regards, Bill.
 
Max Owner said:
Barrel break ins have been kinda beaten to death around here. So I expect there will be allot of miserable posts that show up here.

I would like conclusive proof one way or another that a break in helps in accuracy or consistency.

HS Precision claims that the more you shoot one of their barrels, the more consistency you get.

:confused:
Click to expand...

that may also be the fact you get used to how the gun shoots and are getting better yourself :)
 
I personally pour sulphuric acid down my new barrels to take out the burs from rifling.
 
Slavex said:
I personally pour sulphuric acid down my new barrels to take out the burs from rifling.
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like it would cause uneven wear... you cannot have equal parts of sulphuric acid across all parts of the barrel via pouring I wouldn't think... short of putting the barrel in a tub/container of the stuff...

Unless of course he was joking?

Thanks,
- Koshy
 
Last edited:
Koshy said:
Sounds to me like it would cause uneven wear... you cannot have equal parts of sulphuric acid across all parts of the barrel via pouring I wouldn't think... short of putting the barrel in a tub/container of the stuff...

Thanks,
- Koshy
Click to expand...

facepalm2ic7copyrl2.jpg
 
Slavex said:
I personally pour sulphuric acid down my new barrels to take out the burs from rifling.
Click to expand...

I am sure he is being sarcastic cause that is not the 'right' acid to use :p

A US company tried to market this process but didn't last very long. Cost a mint too.

If you think it is way too weird to be real or marketable, likely someone has already tried.:dancingbanana:

Jerry
 
mysticplayer said:
I am sure he is being sarcastic cause that is not the 'right' acid to use :p

A US company tried to market this process but didn't last very long. Cost a mint too.

If you think it is way too weird to be real or marketable, likely someone has already tried.:dancingbanana:

Jerry
Click to expand...

Haha, good to know it was sarcasm, cannot say I wasn't a little worried for him :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom