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Barrel Break In?

Darrell2k3
I keep hearing that you have to break in a gun barrel. What is the break in procedure for a magnum bolt gun.

Darrell
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Darrell2k3
    I just purchased a Kimber Longmaster Classic in .308. Can anybody recommend a good break-in procedure? I found a lot of different procedures out there and they're all a little different. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. Greg
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  • JustC
    This will no doubt end up in an argument

    but here goes,....shoot one round and clean for the first 20rnds. the shoot 3 rounds and clean for another 20rnds. Then shoot 5 rounds and clean for the next 50rnds or so. There is no majic number. Just keep the shoot and clean method until the fouling is reduced to almost nothing. A match barrel will break in much faster than a factory tube due to the hand lapping at the factory. But even my match barrels have needed 60-80rnds to "go to sleep". They will not be more accurate,...but they will foul far less,..which translates to better accuracy life and less cleaning. NOT better groups,..just better life and less cleaning.

    Ever wonder why benchrest rifles are cleaned between every relay?[:D]

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • HeavyBarrel
    Gale Mcmillian says barrel break in is hogwash-he has scoreboard on any of us, i think barrel break in is questionable. Then again JustC says he does it so i cant disagree with him because so many do it. I am under the impression your barrel is at it's best before you ever shoot it, and every shot after that regardless of cleaning procedure is one shot closer to the end of that barrels life. Judge for yourself, and good luck.
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    i agree with h.b. above. if you are a bench rest/target/match shooter, go ahead and do the break-in. if you are just a hunter it's a waist of time.
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  • GPWEAPON
    Barrels are like a good cast iron frying pan, if you clean them you destroy the seasoning and everything sticks. I never clean the barrel just the chamber when it gets to dirty to chamber a round. Life is to short to spend it cleaning guns, buy stainless. and if you hunt and haven't fouled the barrel before your trophy shot you could easily miss. a new barrel could take 50 rnds to settle in if a bolt gun and 100-150 if its a gas gun.
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  • Travis Hallam
    From the true experts that I have talked to (Lost River Ballistics, and others), they said about the same as JuctC. I have had great success when I clean the barrel, especially on a big magnum. They way I understand it the intial breaking in takes out small burrs in the barrel. After cleaning for the first 20-50 shots, the barrel is smooth an burr free.

    Mad Dog
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  • gotstolefrom
    I have never regretted taking time to 'break in' a new barrel. However, I have never gone to the extent of 'fire lapping w/abrasive projectiles' either.

    Again, everything in moderation I suppose.
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  • Mr Gee
    the best advise is take the best of each statement here an decide for yourself i think like anything brand new needs braking in a new wife ,new car , a new tractor an most of all your new Boss at the office, how i,see it is you'll be trying different ammo [factory or reloads] to see makes the new gun shoot the best , between site in an break in time i'd running at least a patch with some hoppies on itdown the tube an chamber.. an before i put it away for a week or so.... i know i hate to get to work an find a dirty boss an then go home an find OOoooops i won't go there LOL... good luck w/ the piece i'm sure you bought something you want bad so take some care Whadda ya'say Guys....[:)]

    confused....but learning
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  • beachmaster73
    If you are just going to hunt with it don't bother with the barrel breakin....you don't need the accuracy that competition shooters or bench rester achieve. If you did buy it for a 1000 yard gun JustC's breakin is a pretty effective one. I break in all of my match rifles and have no regrets and every high master or distiguished shooter that I know does the same thing. Every barrel maker thinks he makes a perfect barrel.....he doesn't. But honestly for the average hunter you just don't need that kind of accuracy....and you'd probably screw up the crown when you did the breakin. Beach
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  • Colt Super
    I was told long ago, that you shouldn't clean a barrel until a week after you last shoot it. This allows the bore to "sweat" out the grime, whech makes the bore easier to get REALLY clean. I do it, it seems to work.

    God Bless America and...
    NEVER Forget WACO
    NEVER, EVER Forget 911
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  • savage12bvss300wsm
    I used to do the shoot clean shoot etc. Now I shoot 'em till they puke. Clean and let her rip again. Yes, the "break in" is meant to smooth out the burs and tool marks in the barrel left over from the rifling process. And remember to fire a foul shot or two before u take that clean barrel hunting.

    Everyone has a photographic memory. Only some have film.
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