Agree 100%. I've tried many of the recommended barrel break in procedures recommended by barrel makers. I've also done no barrel break in at all. Develop a quality load or several loads, go out and shoot the **** rifle, and when that consistent .50 MOA or better, at all yardages to 1000 starts to happen, I call it good. I'm a firm believer in quality reloading technique, sweet spot bullet seating depth, good chrony work which include low SD's and ES. I won't settle until both are in single digits. The lower the better. Not saying that barrel break in, by many procedures and forms, doesn't work it's just in my experience it never made a difference in several of my best shooting rifles. The most accurate rifle I own was never "broken in". Over 1500 rounds thru it now and it still meets my personal accuracy criteria in spades (FTR .308). I clean (and yes with a rod and high quality bore guide) after every 40-50 rounds. I only use high quality nylon brushes and patches) Guys, this is only me but the method I use works for the standards I've imposed on my stuff. Many ways to skin a cat and nothing I've read on this forum seems outlandish. Great discussion!Barrel break in is an Archaic practice that doesn't do anything...a few swipes of a nylon brush and some solvent for the first 30 rounds is going to make a barrel shoot better? No way...I just don't buy it. I got caught up in that snake oil several years ago, stopped and haven't noticed a difference. The gun will either shoot or it won't. Seriously, think about it? What's so special about those first 20 or 30 rounds? When they test fire rifles in the factory for an accuracy guarantee are the breaking them in with 30 rounds and running a brush through it every few rounds before they shoot your groups. No.
You have that wrong.....Eye of Newt...shirt pocket...Toe of frog you have to keep in your SOCK!......Geeeeez I thought by now everyone knew thisI believe that the barrel is lapped by the manufacturer before it is shipped to the smith to be chambered. So, for a lapped, barrel the break-in is actually meant to smooth out any minute burs left over from cutting the chamber. I guess... unless you keep an Eye of newt and toe of frog in your pocket.
Final finish can destroy a throat. I have seen the results through a bore scope. Final Finish package instructions even state that some shooters have lost accuracy after using it. Might be better off just wrapping sandpaper around a jag. I might try it on a barrel that has lost it's performance, but would not recommend anyone use it on a new rifle barrel.David Tubbs (yes a TEXAN) is also the best rifleman in the know universe. His solution is Final Finish AND IT ADDRESSES THE CHAMBER LEADS/THROAT.
I have several cleaning rods but they never get used. Some years ago, I saw a 22 benchrest shooter pull something through his barrel and found it to be weed eater line. He told me he never used a cleaning rod and also cut his own patches for the right fit.
So now in my range box is a roll of weed eater line. Tie a knot in one end and cut the opposite end on a slight angle to make the patch go on easier the pull it through. I've used Wipe Out and Butch's Bore shine and both work very well.
David Tubbs (yes a TEXAN) is also the best rifleman in the know universe. His solution is Final Finish AND IT ADDRESSES THE CHAMBER LEADS/THROAT.
I've been around a little while and have heard about a thousand ways to break in a bbl. First.. you have to break in a bbl if you want it to reach its full potential....break in is simple but tedious.... clean the bbl with Shooters Choice solvent first.. not Hoppes , it's crap. Fire the rifle and clean said rifle/bbl after each firing for 20 rds. Check for copper fouling with Barnes CR 10 after 5,10,15 and the final 20th rd. If the patch color (blue) is lighter after every five rds you are doing your job. After this don't fire the rifle over 20 to 25 rds without cleaning it. If the rifle is not preforming to your expectations check it for copper periodically. There really shouldn't be any reason to introduce the CR10 in the bbl ever again. This break in procedure works very well especially on 5 R bbls and was recommended to me by a barrel manufacturer.... Good LuckYesterday I went to my range to sight in my new 6.5 PRC X-Bolt. Managed a 3/4" final group at 200 yards off a bench rest - cement bench, cast iron rest.
I shot 18 rounds with no cleaning between rounds. Today I'm soaking the barrel bore in Slip 2000 Copper Cutter solution for 20 minutes then cleaning it with a plastic brush and patches.
Since the barrel was already factory lapped I saw no reason to clean between each round. The lapping IS the break-in when compared to un-lapped barrels. (IMHO, that is)
The next tim I shoot will be for a Magnetospeed V3 velocity check on my ammo. Ten rounds for a decent average velocity and then I'll clean it with Hoppe's #9. That should give me enough copper residue remaining for good accuracy.
1. Anyone see any problems with this "method"?
2. Would cleaning every 40 to 50 rounds be enough? (With copper cleaning every 200 rounds?)
Eric B.
Final finish can destroy a throat. I have seen the results through a bore scope. Final Finish package instructions even state that some shooters have lost accuracy after using it. Might be better off just wrapping sandpaper around a jag. I might try it on a barrel that has lost it's performance, but would not recommend anyone use it on a new rifle barrel.
Well the last 3 barrels I've worked with, a Brux, a Hart, and a Proof all hand lap their barrels and told me just go shoot them. They pretty much clean out at 15-20 patches of Boretech eliminator and all shoot 1/2 MOA or better. Two are 7mm LRMs and the Proof is a 6.5 PRC.Yesterday I went to my range to sight in my new 6.5 PRC X-Bolt. Managed a 3/4" final group at 200 yards off a bench rest - cement bench, cast iron rest.
I shot 18 rounds with no cleaning between rounds. Today I'm soaking the barrel bore in Slip 2000 Copper Cutter solution for 20 minutes then cleaning it with a plastic brush and patches.
Since the barrel was already factory lapped I saw no reason to clean between each round. The lapping IS the break-in when compared to un-lapped barrels. (IMHO, that is)
The next tim I shoot will be for a Magnetospeed V3 velocity check on my ammo. Ten rounds for a decent average velocity and then I'll clean it with Hoppe's #9. That should give me enough copper residue remaining for good accuracy.
1. Anyone see any problems with this "method"?
2. Would cleaning every 40 to 50 rounds be enough? (With copper cleaning every 200 rounds?)
Eric B.