Breaking in a Barrel

[Bob_VT]

My eyes are shot....  my brain is getting dusty......  so much information out there. GRrrrrrrrrrrrr!  I thought I would turn to the board here for some help and input.

We all change barrels (or complete guns).  I just ordered a new Rock River AR 15 (because I want to shoot in matches and another 223 can not hurt to collection).  Here is the dilemma..  WHAT is the proper break in method for a new barrel?   I have heard that the new (incoming) Rock River has a Wilson Stainless Steel match barrel and it is advised NOT to use moly bullets?  About half of what I read states to use moly bullets and the other half is absolutely against them.  Some sites recommend shoot a few, clean the bore and repeat.   I have read the FAQ section. 

I am speaking of jacketed bullets.  For cast bullets (such as the 45-70 and my 45 acp) I have used the LBT system and lapped the barrels. 

We all strive for the perfect accuracy and long barrel life  .......  your thoughts?

[stimpylu32]

I do all my barrels the same way , 10 rounds then clean , 20 rounds then clean , 20 rounds then clean , after that it is clean when i'm done shooting or when i see the groups going away . done this for years and it works for me .

As for moly bullets , tried them and don't like them , so i don't use them .

stimpy

[quickdtoo]

You could ask 100 shooter what a proper break in is, and get 100 different answers and every one of em would swear they are correct and it's the only way to do it!!! Those methods are gonna range from nothing, just shoot it, to shoot so many then clean repeat in various numbers of shots tween cleaning spells. They all work for everyone that uses em, so take your pick!! I've tried various methods, I choose to use Varmint Al's method on all my Handis, sans the moly bullets.

Tim

http://www.varmintal.com/ashot.htm#Break

http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/Barrel_BreakIn_II.asp

http://www.larrywillis.com/Barrel.html

http://www.jarheadtop.com/article_gfbreakin.html

http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/RapidCat/catalog/pagetemplate.cfm?template=/RapidCat/common/viewPage.cfm&PageId=2558&CompanyId=1246

[Bob_VT]

I don't argue there is a ton of information out there.  The "break in" is split about 50-50 on the how to do it.

I guess no one actually keeps that close of track of how many rounds they have fired and what effects it has at the 5000, 7500 and 10,000 round point. 

[Wolfgang]

I don't claim to have a lot of experience with this subject but like Quick has said ask 100 shooters and get 100 answers.  I have read from some of the manufacturers of high dollar barrels that polishing them is never recommended.  I remember reading an article where one of the manufacurers said that all polishing accomplishes is wearing out the barrel more quickly.  I also read that the shoot clean, shoot clean, method is a waste of time.  With all that being said, these comments were made by one of the high end barrel makers and one would assume that their end product is more highly finished than those of out of the box rifles.  I have used several different methods on different rifles from not even trying to break in the barrel to the polishing and shooting a few and then cleaning and so on.  I honestly couldn't tell the difference as all of the rifles seemed to shoot really well. (Except my .44 Handi )

Best,

Wolfgang

[mookster79]

I am with quick on this one also.  I don't think that there is going to be much difference on final results with one person's method over another.  I don't use the products that varmint al's suggests, but I do agree with cleaning the barrel as soon as you get a new gun. When I got my new handi you could look down the barrel and see the dust and debris from being boxed and shipped.  I pass a brush with your favorite clp through it a couple of times, couple of dipped patches, and finally some dry patches to make sure all excess lubricant is out of the barrel. As long as there is no moisture or rust in a barrel all you need to worry about is keeping the heavy fouling out of them.  Do what you want and see what happens.  Besides cleaning a gun before I shoot it, I just clean it when I fell like it or when the accuracy goes to hell.

[cheatermk3]

Depends on the quality of the machining and finish of the new barrel.

Breaking in a high-end match grade barrel should not be necessary.

If you want a "rule of thumb", here's what I recommend:

Using a good quality rod, and a properly sized pierce-type jag, push a tight-fitting patch down the clean bore from the chamber end.  Pay attention to the way the patch feels going through the bore.  You're looking for a smooth, uniform feel with no tight or loose spots.  For a froperly set-up and fitted barrel, the last couple of inches of the bore will be just a tiny bit tighter. 

Any roughness you feel may  indicate a need for "break-in".  I use the Sinclair method for bores I sense need break-in.  I have used Mac1100's method on a handi 25-06 that benefitted from the polishing treatment, even though it had been shot quite a bit when I got it. 

There is no one method or rule for every barrel.  I would try the "patch test" and then follow the manufacturer's recommendation.  If the bore is rough, and the manufacturer advises against any break in, then I guess the tube would have to go back to the maker.