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Barrel Break in

macabest
This isn't a question, but I see the subject of barrel break in come up quite often, so this is my theory.
1.New barrels (from most manufacters) have microscopic burrs.
2.You shoot bullets down the bore to iron the burrs out.
3.You clean the barrel, to get the copper out, so that the next bullet can do it's job.
It really doesn't matter if you shoot one, five, or twenty shots between cleanings, as long as you get the barrel clean. Again, this is only my theory, not the gospel.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • macabest
    I have heard lots of people talk about breaking in
    their barrel with a 100 or so rounds. What is the purpose in
    cleaning it between shots. I see no rational for that.

    And how much will it close the group to break it in.
    I am trying to get a better group out of an almost
    new springfield M1A.

    Is there anything to coat the bullets with to polish
    the barrel without buying the ridiculously expensive
    firelapping stuff. I priced it around 50 or 75 bucks.

    Eric

    thats'me
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  • beachmaster73
    For the rifle you describe no breakin is required. Beach
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  • timberbeast
    Beach is right. Usually is.
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  • macabest
    Thanks guys. That makeds it easier.
    Marc [8D]
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  • jsergovic
    Just "GET THE LEAD OUT".

    I was waiting for someone to pull the usual "soak with chicken blood to cure the iron" bit, but...

    I'd shoot a few rounds, clean the barrel, shoot a couple dozen rounds, clean it, shoot another fifty, clean it.

    By then any irregularity will be out.

    But remember, I am a hand-gunner.

    My mechanic instinct says to check it in case there is an irregularity in the barrel, so you don't aggravate the situation.
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  • ern98
    One of the main reasons that barrel "break in" is recomended is to make cleaning easier over the long haul. Pours in the bore can get smoothed over so as to collect less crud, usually copper. If your barrel fouls easily and starts to spray you might want to re-think a break in to ease the pocket where fouling may collect.
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