Barrel Break-in thoughts...

[osiris]

So what are you guys barrel break-in procedures?
What do you do personally, not what you have heard!
But however do throw in your thoughts of what you have heard, and what you recommend not to use

I've read many different things on what to do and what not to do, I want to see if I can get some a little more consistent from some of you guys.

Let the battle begin =)

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

did you try the search function, this topic has been beaten to death

 

[jasonk]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">did you try the search function, this topic has been beaten to death</div></div>

+1

But here's mine on my newest rifle.

Light clean to get the gunk out, shoot 5, light clean.....and I'm at about 100 now. Will clean it one more time real good for good measure and then not again for probably 400 rounds.

 

[SteelW0LF]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

Proper barrel break in technique:

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRRahHX9Zkg"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRRahHX9Zkg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

 

[osiris]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

LOL I was just going to post that

 

[SteelW0LF]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

I love the link as the guy who made the video made it for a website forum that he frequented and got tired of answering barrel break in questions.

Basically his point was that break in or not is a user choice, it REALLY doesnt do anything but give somone a reason to blow some rounds through it and clean it......which is what you'ld do with a firearm anyways.

I love his comment on the end about Bull and Cow barrels...lol

 

[Jasmck]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

The Guy that Made the video is NOBODY on SH, but he has been banned for a long time.

Seriously, it depends on if you are talking about a custom rifle or a factory rifle.

With a factory rifle, you should consider TUBB's Final Finish.

With a Custom, follow the Gunsmiths reccomendations. As I recall, GAP recommended shoot one, then clean for 10-12 shots. However, in both my GAPs, I stopped getting coppper fouling after 7 shots, following this procedure. Then shoot five round groups between cleaning.

From GAPs website:
http://www.gaprecision.net/ga-precision-download.html

 

[osiris]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

haha yea its pretty damn good, I put on my youtube favorites, thats awesome

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steel-W0LF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love the link as the guy who made the video made it for a website forum that he frequented and got tired of answering barrel break in questions.
</div></div>

gotta love the new kids....

The colloquialistic mannerism of Larry's communication is but a fond memory here.

 

[Graham]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

If it's a custom tube, shoot one and clean until it stops fouling badly. That should take 4-5 shots.

Know that a .308 won't become a 7mm from excess fouling, so don't worry about it.

I clean every 300-400 rounds, or when I notice a deterioration in accuracy.

Know that it might take a few rounds after a cleaning, or after you switch bullet jackets or switch powders, for your vertical to improve at longer ranges.

 

[vman]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

shoot the crap out of it and dont forget to use a good lubricant.

I use dry lubes, Smooth Kote and BP2000 moly powder, however i DONT use moly coated bullets.

 

[DaveV]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

Follow the recommendations of your barrel manufacturer. If you don't have that, do what ever you want because you will find convincing evidence from everyone who has an opinion on this.

 

[Cartman]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

This is the Snipers Hide search tool made by a forum member. It actually works (unlike the site's). Please bookmark it.

http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=010955838166721108978:qcbx5qqy10o&hl=en

 

[Wil]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steel-W0LF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love the link as the guy who made the video made it for a website forum that he frequented and got tired of answering barrel break in questions.
</div></div>

gotta love the new kids....

The colloquialistic mannerism of Larry's communication is but a fond memory here. </div></div>


much to that... <grin>

 

[BasraBoy]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

cartman...thanks for the link to the Search Tool!

 

[KAman9803]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Osiris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So what are you guys barrel break-in procedures?
</div></div>

1. Load your gun
2. Shoot it, alot
3. Clean it when groups start opening up
4. Shoot it some more

 

[EastBayRidge]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steel-W0LF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Proper barrel break in technique:

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRRahHX9Zkg"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRRahHX9Zkg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object> </div></div>

laffin', pard...

 

[outlaws51]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html

 

[PistonPete]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

Gale McMillan, sez:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I inspect every barrel taken off and every new barrel before it is shipped with a bore scope and I will tell you all that <span style="color: #3333FF"><span style="font-size: 20pt">I see far more barrels ruined by cleaning rods than I see worn out from normal wear and tear.</span></span>I am even reading about people recommending breaking-in pistols. As if it will help their shooting ability or the guns'.</div></div>


<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-size: 20pt">i agree !!</span></span>

 

[Supersubes]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

Just shoot it, don't waste your time bore scrubbing.

 

[FequalsMA]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

Here is my 2 cents. People think copper fouling is a result of tooling marks on the rifling tearing the bullet jacket. If you have a custom hand lapped barrel the tool marks are removed. But when the the barrel is chambered, tiny buhrs are made on the lands. When the fist few bullets scrape over theses buhrs the copper torn off is so hot that it moves like a gas down the tube sticking where ever possible. So the concept of shoot and clean is only to prevent too much build up while the chamber marks are being worn down smooth.

 

[J.Boyette]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

Let me ask you this.

how would you know if it worked or not?

No way to bring the barrel back to a brand new state right?

so there is no way to prove or dis-prove the barrel brake in.

John

 

[FequalsMA]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

If you use a strong agent, like Shooter's Choic copper remover, you can see the patches becoming less blue after each fire down the tube. After about 5-10 cleans no copper is seen after shots. So while it may not be necessary, one would imagine that the rifle would shoot better without the copper in the bore. It ussually takes hundreds of rounds to get the same color on a patch as you would on the first couple fires.

 

[BKS]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

Matthew Lundy, I'm glad you brought this point up and you are totally correct. Everyone on here acts like your a dumbass if you break in your barrel. I think they just don't want to take the time to clean after each shot for a few rounds. The last barrel I broke in was a rock which had been lapped and it still had significant copper fouling for 7 rounds. I cleaned between each shot and on the 8th shot, no more copper. Just as you said, by breaking in your barrel you reduce the copper fouling and can go a lot longer before accuracy falls off from fouling. I'm not for cleaning every 20 rounds and yes, you can hurt your barrel from cleaning to much but there is benefit to breaking in your barrel.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KansasMag</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Matthew Lundy, I'm glad you brought this point up and you are totally correct. Everyone on here acts like your a dumbass if you break in your barrel. I think they just don't want to take the time to clean after each shot for a few rounds. The last barrel I broke in was a rock which had been lapped and it still had significant copper fouling for 7 rounds. I cleaned between each shot and on the 8th shot, no more copper. Just as you said, by breaking in your barrel you reduce the copper fouling and can go a lot longer before accuracy falls off from fouling. I'm not for cleaning every 20 rounds and yes, you can hurt your barrel from cleaning to much but there is benefit to breaking in your barrel. </div></div>

Let me ask you this Kansas man, have you "Not" broken in a new barrel, just shot it like normal and cleaned it after the day was over ? Can you say you saw a difference...

I have, more often than not, as well I took two brand new TRG22 rifles one I broke in and one I didn't and couldnt' see a different in accuracy, either immediately or over time and I saw absolutely no difference in cleaning... Further more with more than 5 custom sticks I have "Not" broke them in, and did NOT see any difference between custom rifles I have and haven't. I own over 50 boltguns with various stages of break in and not broken in and can "honestly" say there is no difference in either accuracy, barrel life, or cleaning.

So, take it for what its worth but I feel my experience on the subject goes beyond 1 or 2 examples of what happens.

 

[paraman1]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

I used to break them in and now I don't . I used to clean them after every trip to the range and now I don't . I let accuracy and function be my guide now . If the accuracy is starting to fall off or the weapon isn't functioning correctly I clean and inspect a weapon if not I continue firing rounds downrange . This new <span style="font-weight: bold">Guide</span> to weapons maintenance seems to be working for me but your mileage may vary and I would never call you an idiot for having a different opinion than mine .

 

[tarzan]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

if you dont call someone a idiot this thread may die

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

It's not about being an idiot, or being called an idiot, its about feeling good about yourself, and your equipment.

Most people figure they have spent in excess of $3k for their rifles, and want something to go along with it, so the break in procedure helps these people connect with their purchase, and there is nothing wrong with that. There are a good number of smiths who don't subscribe to the break in procedure who offer one up anyway simply because it saves them a lot of time and headache. Those who need the break in would be and often are tenacious in calling about what to do with their new purchase and need that connection. So, providing it keeps them off the phone and out of the smith's hair, as well it makes sure there are not excuses for accuracy issues should the buyer find its not a key to success. If the rifle was broken in, it takes one element out of it, where most of the time it is just the shooter, who might be looking to blame something than himself for the poor performance.

Lots of things surround the break in, however once you get past it, it becomes so much less of a factor you often have to wonder.

 

[BKS]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

I have rifles that I broke in and I have some that had no break in. For the most part, the ones that I broke in clean easier and copper foul less than the ones that I didn't. Its only 5 or so shots of cleaning every shot so its not like I take the 10% or whatever McMillian said off the life of the barrel. Lowlight, you might have touched on this in the hundreds of other break in threads, but how many shots do you fire in a new barrel before you clean?

 

[stefan73]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

I shot benchrest once with a 7-08 back in the 80's.
I remember the guy I shot with would after every twenty rounds swab the bore, we would fire a fouling shot and then begin firing our next string. It worked pretty good but that was not for breakin!
I personaly feel that barrel breakin is a hoax just as Gale said it is. I don't see the benefits and have seen rifles shoot incredibly well strait from the box (I would swab the bore when first recieving a rifle just to make sure that no machining debries were left in it.

Just my .02

 

[csi:cyberspace]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

This, taken from http://www.shilen.com/faq.html#question10 is by far my favorite answer to this question.

<span style="font-style: italic">
How should I break-in my new Shilen barrel?

Break-in procedures are as diverse as cleaning techniques. <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Shilen, Inc. introduced a break-in procedure mostly because customers seemed to think that we should have one.</span> By and large, we don't think breaking-in a new barrel is a big deal. All our stainless steel barrels have been hand lapped as part of their production, as well as any chrome moly barrel we install.</span> Hand lapping a barrel polishes the interior of the barrel and eliminates sharp edges or burrs that could cause jacket deformity. This, in fact, is what you are doing when you break-in a new barrel through firing and cleaning.
</span>

 

[DaveV]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KansasMag</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have rifles that I broke in and I have some that had no break in. For the most part, the ones that I broke in clean easier and copper foul less than the ones that I didn't. Its only 5 or so shots of cleaning every shot so its not like I take the 10% or whatever McMillian said off the life of the barrel. Lowlight, you might have touched on this in the hundreds of other break in threads, but how many shots do you fire in a new barrel before you clean? </div></div>

He's probably going to say, "depends on the quality of the barrel." Just a guess.

 

[flyboy]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

You better put your flame suit on for that answer.

As for me, I like to shoot. I don't like to clean. If it was the otherway around I would stay home and dust the furnicher and clean windows. Shoot the rifles for god sakes.

 

[ALMAORFE]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

I don't do any thing at all whatsoever. I get a new stick i go zero and begin to get dope and shoot at a normal rate. For example on the 26th I went to shoot my new AIAW, I shot 80 rounds went home. Today I went to get some dope out to 500, got my dope and shot some at steel at 1000, total 64 rounds and went home. I still haven't cleaned it and it still shoots bug holes, I'm not gonna clean it for awhile either maybe at around 6-700 rounds. I've never cleaned my AK at all after about 5K through it. It still works and shoots as good as it did new, minute of man. I'm pretty sure tomorrow when I go shoot again my AI will still be just as accurate as when unfired. I don't have a philosophy about this I just hate cleaning, thats why I don't own any AR's anymore.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

On a new barrel, I have shot as much as 200 rounds without cleaning and I have shot between 20 and 100 it just depends what I am doing. I have not see any barrel life issues, I just had the Harbinger rebarreled, I had a real round count to 8500, and then lost track from there, best estimate, 10k-12k through the rifle before GAP rebarreled. They said about 1/4" of wear.

The RO house gun, SHR#50 had about 15k-20K through the tube, GAP estimated 4" of rifling missing before that was rebarreled. Still shot an MOA.

My normal cleaning routine after break in, couple pulls of a Bore Snake around 400 to 600 rounds and then a short chemical cleaning around 1000 rounds... that is my pretty standard way of doing things... no issue with long term accuracy, no issue with needing it to be cleaned more, and no issue with barrel life.

I absolute try not to remove all the copper, its best to leave some there because it likes it. But I am not a heavy break in type, I have yet to see positive results and usually just depends if I am bored and want to waste some time.

To me it is a feel good thing.

 

[ALMAORFE]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lowlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">On a new barrel, I have shot as much as 200 rounds without cleaning and I have shot between 20 and 100 it just depends what I am doing. I have not see any barrel life issues, I just had the Harbinger rebarreled, I had a real round count to 8500, and then lost track from there, best estimate, 10k-12k through the rifle before GAP rebarreled. They said about 1/4" of wear.

The RO house gun, SHR#50 had about 15k-20K through the tube, GAP estimated 4" of rifling missing before that was rebarreled. Still shot an MOA.

My normal cleaning routine after break in, couple pulls of a Bore Snake around 400 to 600 rounds and then a short chemical cleaning around 1000 rounds... that is my pretty standard way of doing things... no issue with long term accuracy, no issue with needing it to be cleaned more, and no issue with barrel life.

I absolute try not to remove all the copper, its best to leave some there because it likes it. But I am not a heavy break in type, I have yet to see positive results and usually just depends if I am bored and want to waste some time.

To me it is a feel good thing.

</div></div>

I've never used a bore snake but seems simple, you just pull it through right? does it get the chamber at all?

 

[Supersubes]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KansasMag</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Matthew Lundy, I'm glad you brought this point up and you are totally correct. Everyone on here acts like your a dumbass if you break in your barrel. I think they just don't want to take the time to clean after each shot for a few rounds. The last barrel I broke in was a rock which had been lapped and it still had significant copper fouling for 7 rounds. I cleaned between each shot and on the 8th shot, no more copper. Just as you said, by breaking in your barrel you reduce the copper fouling and can go a lot longer before accuracy falls off from fouling. I'm not for cleaning every 20 rounds and yes, you can hurt your barrel from cleaning to much but there is benefit to breaking in your barrel. </div></div>

No there is not. If an anal gun scrubber would just shoot the new rifle once, without a break-in, he would see that after the first session (20-50 rounds or whatever) the first cleaning would go just like he had done the break-in. Whats important is what you see on target. Lots of the guys that don't do break-ins are the same guys that go hundreds and hundreds of rounds between cleanings. How could that be possible if the break-in/cleanings are so important? Answer: They're not!

 

[stefan73]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

I know with modern ammunition that corrosion is not the threat that it used to be but still the idea of not cleaning my weapons seems to me like sacrilege!! I use a brass brush and have used brass rods (been through a couple of .17 rods for my dads old Weirauch HW80 pellet gun).
The idea of the bore sitting with crap in it just seams so wrong!

I know you can screw up a rifle from improper cleaning but I do not see where leaving the weapon dirty helps the action or the system.

It really just doesn't make any sense to me.
Am I crazy?

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

nothing wrong with wiping out the action or the raceways or the bolt. I do that after i shoot. But the barrel is a different story, breaking it in is a different story. I have a M2008 with a Rock 30 cal tube on it. I got with 3 shots fired from the smith for a functions test. I have about 900 rds on it in between my last cleaning, still shooting just like it should, id rather shoot than sit there and waste my afternoon shoot, clean, shoot, clean, shoot, clean, shoot, clean. Its tedious and unwarranted, by sending round down the barrel it will break in over time. But like Frank said, its about "you connecting with your new toy" but in all reality its no benefit to it.

 

[Jeff in TX]

Re: Barrel Break-in thoughts...

Before deciding to break in a barrel which myself and most here agree is a waist of time, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions.

1. What's wrong with the barrel to begin with?
2. If something is wrong with it, send it back to the manufacture to be fixed or replaced
3. Without a borescope, how will you know if anything is wrong?
4. This shoot and clean, shoot and clean is accomplishing what? Don’t tell us what you think or heard show some hard facts and evidence.
Before answering without a borescope how do you know?
5. If you have a borescope and you detect a problem send it back to the manufacture to fixed or replaced.

There are way too many myths out there about barrel break-in. Most of it based on hearsay and folks who don’t really understand barrels and internal ballistics. Barrel break-in makes folks feel they’re doing something positive in taking care of their new rifle or barrel. In the end they’re just wasting time that could be spent shooting and not cleaning. Take your rifle out and shoot the snot out of it, clean when your groups open up and when you put your firearm away at the end of the session.

I did some research back in 2002-3 time frame on barrel break-in. I spoke with a few metallurgists, Mike Rock at Rock Creek barrel, Hart and Shilen barrels, Speedy Gonzales and a Raytheon ballistic engineer as well as a few other folks. I learned a ton in the process and mostly that breaking in a barrel is total waist of time and effort. What I really learned was for every break-in process and so called reason and application for breaking in a barrel, there was no hard fact data to support the claims. If anyone would like a copy of the write up send me a PM with your email address.