breaking in new gun

[zfishingfool]

i just bought a new rifle  , want info on to break it in right , fire lap. or hand lap  or just shoot it , keep it kleen,  plese give me some ideals

[savageT]

i just bought a new rifle  , want info on to break it in right , fire lap. or hand lap  or just shoot it , keep it kleen,  plese give me some ideals

I think your best bet is to purchase a quality cleaning rod (one piece, coated or stainless steel) and a good chamber guide.  Do a good job cleaning initially,  Then, take your cleaning supplies with you to the range and begin sighting in. Start off with a couple fouling shots off target, then after setting up your sight-in target, shoot a series of 5 rounds with enough time between shots to keep everything cool.  Make your initial adjustments and clean the bore with your favorite bore solvent and patches.  Repeat as you did before going slowly and cleaning after the 5 shot round........Look down the bore and evaluate how clean it looks.  Does it appear that you need to clean more often than 5 rounds??? If you want, clean every 5 rounds and let everything cool down, then every 10 rounds, then 20 rounds.  
The object here is to smooth up the bore and clean out the machining debris and sharp edges created during the boring process.  That's about all there is to breaking in.  Based on the results of your sighting-in efforts, this will tell you how much fire polishing and cleaning you will need.  The better bore finish you get, the less effort to clean out powder and copper residues.

Jim

[beemanbeme]

I agree with what Savage said.  If you keep things cool, I don't think the barrel knows if you are shooting one, cleaning or shooting five, cleaning.  I have read post by smiths that said, after the rifle is chambered and crowned, you cannot hand lap the barrel without belling it at one end or the other or both.  So firing it smooth is the only choice.  FYI, when breaking-in new rifles, I use a little JB paste along with my cleaning.
As far as fire lapping goes, I have read some post that claim spectacular results but the idea of shooting a sandpaper coated bullet thru my bore gives me the willies.  
Shooting at a disciplined rate, not only during break-in but thru out the life of your barrel,  will go a long ways toward increasing the life expectancy of your barrel.

[bigjeepman]

zfishingfool ...

Cool name!

I had something to add to your post until those two knowledgeable guys kicked in before I had the chance. Read their replies and follow their advice as I think it is excellent.

I never go to the range with one firearm. I always take at least two rifles and a handgun. I do not always shoot the handgun but if more time is needed for cool-down for the rifle barrels, then I shoot some with it. This all depends on the weather and that day's temperature. I "never" let a barrel get hot ... just warm. I check the barrel after each group and I switch rifles if necessary. Sometimes I take three rifles when I am working on new loads. I think these practices are as important as the way you clean your new barrel but it is just my opinion.

What kind of rifle did you buy?