Author Topic: new barrel break in (Read 1093 times)

jgrass · « **on:** January 25, 2003, 02:55:57 AM »

Is there any truth to the fact that a rifle barrel will have a "break in" period. If so, what are the procedures and does the caliber, material and manufacturing type make a difference?

savageT · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2003, 03:11:25 AM »

Never tried this but here's what I recall about Fire Polishing:
1)For the first 10 rounds, clean barrel after every round fired.
2)After 10 rounds, clean barrel after every 2nd round fired.
3)After 20 rounds, clean every 3ed round.
4)After 30 rounds, clean every 4th round.
Etc, etc, until you have fired 50 rounds.

Or.....to save your shoulder from a lot of punishment, there's also something called J-B Compound used in conjunction with Kroil will clean and polish the bore. Available through Brownell's.

Good Luck with that new gun/barrel.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2003, 08:20:23 AM »

A lot depends on who you talk with.. Many custom barrel makers advocate a shoot and clean break in process, many don't. I have tried this and really can't say it made a great difference. Be very careful in polishing any bore as polishing does remove some material from the bore. No matter weather you decide to do the breakin procedure or not. Please learn how to PROPERLY clean a rifle.. I would bet money more rifles are damaged by poor cleaning procedures than by shooting.. Always use a bore guide, always. If using any kind of abrasive material, not using a guide WILL damage the rifle. I prefer a stainless uncoated rod, many prefer coated rods. The coated rods aer advertised as not picking up material or embedding with dirt. Plastic or nylon will embed. If they embed they will abraid the bore and throat. Also the steel covered by the rod has to be smaller in diameter than would a solid stainless rod. The stainless is much too hard to embed and if polished will not damage a bore or throat. The larger diameter rod will minimise flexing which puts the rod in contact with the bore/throat even when using a guide. I reccomend a solid stainless rod as large as is possible for the caliber and the use of a bore guide.

jgrass · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2003, 06:03:07 PM »

Thank you for your replies.