Breaking in a barrel

[Yokel Matt 918]

My .223 is arriving tomorrow what is the score with breaking a new barrel in? I’ve always thought it was just a case of buying a box of cheap ammo and fire 10 singles & 5 doubles with a brush through & patch in-between while getting a rough zero?

 

Is this right?

[flytie 1]

I thought these folks should know;

 

http://www.border-barrels.com/shoot-in.htm

 

But then I read this;

 

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_barrel.htm

 

And then this;

 

http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html

 

So I just shoot, then clean, carefully!

 

ft

[dicehorn 38]

I thought these folks should know;

 

http://www.border-barrels.com/shoot-in.htm

 

But then I read this;

 

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_barrel.htm

 

And then this;

 

http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html

 

So I just shoot, then clean, carefully!

 

ft

 

Well I wont argue - either way.

 

But I must confess I always do the shooting in process. Local's .223 is capable of way over 1000 shots so the % of barrel life left is going to be high. I use the shooting in process to get the rifle zeroed which you would need to do anyway and also to familiarize yourself with the handling/feel of a new rifle, so why not take your time and while waiting for the barrel to cool, give it a quick clean.

 

FWIW I shoot one then clean for 4/5 shots, then three shots then clean for 4/5 goes and finally 5 at a time then clean for 4/5 goes.

 

If you decide that is too much faffing about at least give it a thorough clean when the rifle gets into your hands - as some manufacturers use preserving compounds in the bore to protect it - you dont want to be clearing that out of the barrel with a bullet. When I got my new barrel from Blaser before Xmas, I cleaned it before going through my shooting in procedure and was amazed how the patches were actually coming out glistening with bits of copper etc.

 

HTH

 

Peter

[Yokel Matt 918]

Many thanks chaps

[danebrewer10 6]

I think you've hit the nail on the head, I really don't think a prolonged break in is really going to do much for you, Anschutz rifles arrive from the factory with a 5 shot group, presumably without having been broken in as i wouldn't have thought they'd have the time, and mine still shoots one hole groups at 100m, ( I can't shoot that well but clamped in a rest it can do that) so personally barrel break in is a bit of a waste of time, but that procedure sounds good!

 

DB