new barrel treatment

[tipiguy]

I have a new .22 barrel.  Is there anything I should do to "season" it.  I was going to shoot a few rounds first and then clean it.  Thought there may be some facory oil, etc. that needed cleaned out before sighting in the scope, etc.

Anyone know of anything else that should be done?

Thanks.
tipiguy

[Duffy]

Blue or Stainless? Have seen some blued ones with a lot of residue left in them. Even though they are test fired before shipping I generally give all new bbls/guns a very good cleaning before shooting them. Some are worse than others. I just give them a good brushing with #9 and then a couple of dry patches and go shooting. I don't oil before shooting cause that just seems to add to the crud build up by burning the oil.

Ryan

[blackjac]

Seem's to me every serious shooter has their own method.  I have broken in eight handgun barells for by contender & encore over the years and settled on this method.  Assume the new barell has "crud" left behind by the maker or from test firing! With the barell off the gun and out of sight of your wife, boil a guart of water, drop a few drops of liquid detergent down the barell from the breech followed by the hot water ( hold barell with cloth covered tongs as not to burn yourself). Run a dry patch through. Repeat the process three times and finish up with a very light coat of "rem." oil.  At the range, one shot, patch & solvent, clean patches (several). Fire 2 rounds and repeat cleaning process up to 5 rounds. After five, clean and lght "Rem." oil.  Thats it! don't know how others feel about the process, makes me feel better plus barells are all in perfect shape.  I also bought a "Bore Snake" for each cal. and run one through after each session. (needless to say, everything should be off the barell except the front sight)  Good Luck!

[Javelina]

Hello Tipiguy,

Barrel break-in and cleaning questions will bring many different opinions out of the woodwork, from folklore, old wive's tales and pipe dreams people have had all the way to pure, unadulterated BS.

In order to get started down the right path, you should go to bona fide, well-respected experts on the matter.  I believe one of those is Russ Haydon, of Russ Haydon's Shooter's Supply.  He caters to many high level shooters who really know their stuff, as well as to you and I.  He has been nice enough to post some procedures on his web site for those of us who would like to do things the right way, but aren't quite sure how to go about it.  My suggestion is that you go to this URL and review his recommendations for preparing a new barrel for use:  http://www.shooters-supply.com/break_in.html

You will probably find that you will develop your own method(s) after trying a few things from different sources, perhaps something more abbreviated than Mr. Haydon's, and that's great, but listen to the folks who know what they're talking about when you're first getting started.  A firm footing based on years of quality experience will certainly never hurt you.

I hope this is helpful, safe and good shooting to you!  

Javelina

[Jeff Vicars]

I pour boiling water down all my new barrels. Loosens the crud and gets rid of the shavings.