So, when you get your hands on a brand new rifle in a large caliber, do you:

[frank320]

1) Go out and buy head space gauges, make sure it checks out before you send any rounds down range.
or
2) Take caution with the first round, hide behind some buffer, keep you head and body parts away as you squeeze the first round off down range.
or
3) Trust that the rifle was tested and fired before it left the factory/gunsmith, so just go ahead and rest your cheek behind the closed bolt, open you eyes, aim and fire the first round with ease.

I am guessing this question applies to larger calibers like 338lm, 375/408CT and especially the 416 Barret/50BMG...

 

[BurnOut]

Personally, option 2.

That said, it was a Desert Tech, so if the bolt let go it would have gone into my shoulder rather than my eye.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Took my Barrett 99 from the store to the house to mount scope. Straight to the range to zero it the next day. Chambered a round and let it go.

 

[jcmullis2]

I just shoot but I probably trust too much. However from now on I’ll probably have a friend shoot while I’m hiding behind something. Lmmfao

 

[6brshooter]

I shoot it, but I buy ai and have stuff built by good smiths.

 

[BuLLet]

With the young bucks jumping up to the bench wanting to be first, smile and let them be the Guinea pig.

<joking>

In reality any firearm produced today should be fine with factory loadings, and that first shot caution shouldn't be a concern. The action could let loose on the 3rd shot or the 8th if there is something seriously wrong with it, not just the first out of the box. And if they are letting loose, whoever is making them is not going to be in business for very long.

 

[frank320]

Thanks for everyone's response. Glad I am not the only one second guessing the first shot out of a brand new rifle.
For what its worth, the rifle in question is a brand new Cadex Tremor 50bmg that I ordered a while back that I just received. Pretty confident the guys at Cadex QA'ed and test fired before sending it out. Still, squeezing the trigger on the first 50 bmg round inches beside one's face on a brand new rifle takes some faith...

 

[Hawk in WY]

I am surprised no one mentioned cleaning the barrel before the first firing.

Who knows what machining debris might still be in the bore or what obstruction might have found its way into the bore.

I visually inspect and cycle the action, clean the barrel and magazine, and go shoot.

 

[frank320]

I am surprised no one mentioned cleaning the barrel before the first firing.

Who knows what machining debris might still be in the bore or what obstruction might have found its way into the bore.

I visually inspect and cycle the action, clean the barrel and magazine, and go shoot.

Hawk,
As a matter of fact, cleaning the entire new rifle all the way through is always the first thing I do. I am pretty sure for most here, that is a given. It's the head space, over-pressure, bolt lugs, etc... the potential defect that cannot be visually inspected as you take the first shot on a brand new rifle that always has me second guessing. Once the first shot is taken, there's the "Phew" and then the fun begins...

 

[BuLLet]

I always run a patch through the bore before shooting any rifle, new, used, old etc. Who knows what the condition of the bore is with possibly obstructions etc. Best practice for long life Mine that is

 

[Fig]

My philosophy on safety changes radically if I could hurt someone else, or If I’m only going to hurt myself.

 

[BurnOut]

I am surprised no one mentioned cleaning the barrel before the first firing.

Who knows what machining debris might still be in the bore or what obstruction might have found its way into the bore.

I visually inspect and cycle the action, clean the barrel and magazine, and go shoot.

I always give new rifles the once-over in that regard... an initial scrubbing to get machining/storage oil/grease off of them, and ensuring that the bore is clear and in good shape. If nothing else, this gives me a chance to familiarize myself with the mechanical and cosmetic condition of the rifle.

 

[MCHOG]

#3. I trust that a new rifle is safe to fire (after initial cleaning). If I had any reasonable doubt, I wouldn't purchase the rifle.

 

[Geno C.]

@BLKWLFK9 Just Fucking Send It!

 

[frank320]

@BLKWLFK9 Just Fucking Send It!

hahaha. most of the time, I clean them when new and just send it! Up to 338lm that is....
But now with a brand new 50 bmg, it had me second guessing myself.

 

[Geno C.]

If you can’t trust your smith, you shouldn’t have them building your rifle to begin with. If it’s a factory gun, you’ll be fine.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

#3. I trust that a new rifle is safe to fire (after initial cleaning). If I had any reasonable doubt, I wouldn't purchase the rifle.

Exactly

 

[Steel head]

1) Go out and buy head space gauges, make sure it checks out before you send any rounds down range.
or
2) Take caution with the first round, hide behind some buffer, keep you head and body parts away as you squeeze the first round off down range.
or
3) Trust that the rifle was tested and fired before it left the factory/gunsmith, so just go ahead and rest your cheek behind the closed bolt, open you eyes, aim and fire the first round with ease.

I am guessing this question applies to larger calibers like 338lm, 375/408CT and especially the 416 Barret/50BMG...

4) Put away the the Vagina and get the testicles in gear.

 

[Spblademaker]

4) Put away the the Vagina and get the testicles in gear.

That’s nuts

 

[Lesch]

Aren't all guns test fired by the manufacturer? I thought they "proof" tested them with over pressured loads to verify they are good to go. I have built a few ar's and never gave it a thought to be worried.....but I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer

 

[jcmullis2]

Aren't all guns test fired by the manufacturer? I thought they "proof" tested them with over pressured loads to verify they are good to go. I have built a few ar's and never gave it a thought to be worried.....but I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer

I don’t think Remington tests unless you buy from the custom shop. I doubt they fire the ones sent back for work unless the complaint mentions accuracy. Who knows though.

 

[Nik H]

1) Go out and buy head space gauges, make sure it checks out before you send any rounds down range.
or
2) Take caution with the first round, hide behind some buffer, keep you head and body parts away as you squeeze the first round off down range.
or
3) Trust that the rifle was tested and fired before it left the factory/gunsmith, so just go ahead and rest your cheek behind the closed bolt, open you eyes, aim and fire the first round with ease.

I am guessing this question applies to larger calibers like 338lm, 375/408CT and especially the 416 Barret/50BMG...

I did option 3 but then again...I bought an AI

 

[Shootin Stuff]

On a new rifle I’ll do a full strip and clean, checking there is no leftover rubbish in it, nothing looks wrong and every component fits and functions properly.

I almost never shoot factory ammo and hand load nearly everything that’s not rimfire, so Saami specs don’t really bother me at all.
I measure the chamber and and size my brass to fit that particlar chamber. Measure the throat to know your CBTO length to touching the lands, load a little short of that and start development.

After a quick ladder and seating test and confirming everything is functioning correctly I’ll strip it back down and deburr, smooth and polish everything that needs it. Load up a heap of whatever worked best and start blasting holes in shit.

 

[Slab74]

I usually just roll up some rounds at about 25% over book and jam the projectiles into the lands. Hold it next to my balls and squeeze it off. But seriously, if I ever had a doubt, I don’t buy it. You are more likely to hurt yourself by cheating your setup with a big bore rifle than it blowing up.

 

[moosemeat]

Clean it and the send em down range.

 

[acudaowner]

yes please .

 

[Shootin Stuff]

Disclaimer:
I should probably add that what I meant about not worrying too much about saami spec if you are hand loading is:

Headspace in the chamber a few thou shorter/longer than saami spec is fine if you measure and size your brass accordingly.

Same goes for trimming case length, if your chamber has more length in the neck than saami then there is no need to trim it to saami spec.

Throat is similar, if it has a long throat then loading to saami coal may needless put you way too far off the lands depending on projectile selection.

It’s more important to know your chamber and work with that than to blindly size to a spec that may or may not be ideal for your chamber.

Start with a mild book load and work your way up to a node looking for pressure signs etc etc etc.



If you are shooting factory ammo then obviously your chamber will need to be within spec......

 

[clcustom1911]

Clean and shoot.

 

[AXMC338L]

Only rifle that I’ve been a bit ass clenched to shoot the first time was my ‘bought used’ .460 Weatherby. The first round out was nerve wracking. After not being near as bad as I anticipated I proceeded to rip off another 10. I love this rifle.

 

[pilotjoe]

Clean and shoot.

^^^ This ^^^

I strip and clean a new firearm and then head to the range. I don't overwork the firearm on the first range trip. Just basic function checks and preliminary dialing in of the optic (if there is one). Then strip and clean again before getting down to business of dialing everything in and developing loads.

 

[Arc Light]

You forgot:

4) Do your best to bring it home when your wife is not home. If discovered, say "oh that was in the back of the safe, bought it 10 years ago".

 

[6brshooter]

You forgot:

4) Do your best to bring it home when your wife is not home. If discovered, say "oh that was in the back of the safe, bought it 10 years ago".

Are we related, lol?

 

[rcmigpilot]

You forgot:

4) Do your best to bring it home when your wife is not home. If discovered, say "oh that was in the back of the safe, bought it 10 years ago".

Careful. It's been discovered that many women can count....

 

[Fig]

Not only that, but in the dry, dark, and warm environment of the safe the firearms breed.

 

[Slab74]

Here is a pic of a keyhole from a .223. The guy next to me had a target frame setup at 50 yards and I was shooting at 100 yards. His AR, which he built, went full auto for the last 5 rounds in his mag. One hit the side of his target frame and ruined my great group.
Pic can’t be uploaded right now, so I will try to add it later.

Not only that, but in the dry, dark, and warm environment of the safe the firearms breed.

My safe had been very fertile this year. I think it’s due to the cicada cycle.

 

[secm]

1) Go out and buy head space gauges, make sure it checks out before you send any rounds down range.
or
2) Take caution with the first round, hide behind some buffer, keep you head and body parts away as you squeeze the first round off down range.
or
3) Trust that the rifle was tested and fired before it left the factory/gunsmith, so just go ahead and rest your cheek behind the closed bolt, open you eyes, aim and fire the first round with ease.

I am guessing this question applies to larger calibers like 338lm, 375/408CT and especially the 416 Barret/50BMG...

#3, without question! If you don't do it now, will you ever?

 

[338dude]

Number three I did not hand load at the time I bought factory ammo went to the range and sighted it in After cleaning I always clean every new rifle Before firing

 

[RC556]

Full send, its scariest on someone else's build.