Gunsmithing New Douglas XX Barrel - break in/lapping

[krecon1]

I picked up a Douglas XX #7 stainless steel blank for a DPMS LR308 build. The finished length will either be 14.5 or 16 - the rifle will be used as a blaster. Is there any benefit to go about trying to lap the bbl with Tubbs Final Finish or another lapping system or should I just do a shoot and clean break in? It will be getting used and somewhat abused, so not sure how much prep is worth the effort. Thoughts?

 

[SpotcheckBilly]

Re: New Douglas XX Barrel - break in/lapping

Don't attempt to lap it. Just shoot it, unless you're gonna get anal about it

- in that case shoot and clean (after each shot) for about ten rounds, then after every two shots for ten rounds, then after every five shots for ten rounds, then once after a final ten shot string.

IMHO totally overkill for your purposes.

 

[sandwarrior]

Re: New Douglas XX Barrel - break in/lapping

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krecon1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I picked up a Douglas XX #7 stainless steel blank for a DPMS LR308 build. The finished length will either be 14.5 or 16 - the rifle will be used as a blaster. Is there any benefit to go about trying to lap the bbl with Tubbs Final Finish or another lapping system or should I just do a shoot and clean break in? It will be getting used and somewhat abused, so not sure how much prep is worth the effort. Thoughts?</div></div>

On one hand for {edit: the accuracy you're looking for}, there is absolutely no need to break your barrel in. On the other hand if you intend to shoot a couple hundred to 1k before you clean it's nice to have a barrel that's lapped or at the very least broken in to minimize how much copper fouling it takes. From a safety standpoint not an accuracy standpoint. That's my take on it.

 

[rootsy]

Re: New Douglas XX Barrel - break in/lapping

I own a couple of XX barrels which reside on a two of my custom platforms... I've never done anything but clean them now and again. Neither ever went through any sort of "specific" break-in procedure. I've never had a problem with either one building copper. One of them, .358 bore, is a 1/4 MOA tube...

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: New Douglas XX Barrel - break in/lapping

While I don't think that break-in or lapping of a higher quality aftermarket barrel is beneficial, or even wise; the same may or may not be said for the chamber leade/throat area. It might benefit from some short-stroke lapping to remove the worst of the tool marks, assuming your chambering/throating process leaves any.

Personally, I'd not.

Greg