Breaking a new one in?

[GreyGhost85]

Lots of differing opinions for sure. I'm usually investing quite a bit of money into a new rifle, developing a load for it, etc. I'm going to shoot quite a few rounds thorough it anyway, so I'm not spending anything extra on rounds. FOR ME the extra couple of hours of time cleaning during break-in (shooting is a hobby that I enjoy so why rush it?) and a few dollars in cleaning supplies is well worth the piece of mind I get knowing it was done properly, even if is doesn't make a difference in the long run. A new rifle setup is a big investment in time and money for most of us, so why risk rushing it?

what risks are involved in "rushing" this process? as long as you don't blast enough rounds back to back to overheat and shoot out the barrel, what risks are involved in not cleaning after every shot? i recently made a big purchase on a LR rifle. i shot about 10 rounds and cleaned it well. i'm on about shot 50 after the initial cleaning and my groups keep getting better every trip to the range (.3 MOA last trip)

[MogollonMan]

 

Lots of differing opinions for sure. I'm usually investing quite a bit of money into a new rifle, developing a load for it, etc. I'm going to shoot quite a few rounds thorough it anyway, so I'm not spending anything extra on rounds. FOR ME the extra couple of hours of time cleaning during break-in (shooting is a hobby that I enjoy so why rush it?) and a few dollars in cleaning supplies is well worth the piece of mind I get knowing it was done properly, even if is doesn't make a difference in the long run. A new rifle setup is a big investment in time and money for most of us, so why risk rushing it?

what risks are involved in "rushing" this process? as long as you don't blast enough rounds back to back to overheat and shoot out the barrel, what risks are involved in not cleaning after every shot? i recently made a big purchase on a LR rifle. i shot about 10 rounds and cleaned it well. i'm on about shot 50 after the initial cleaning and my groups keep getting better every trip to the range (.3 MOA last trip)

 

Who is to say that they might not be grouping even better had you done a more thorough break-in?

[STOMP442]

 

I have quite a few premium quality barrels and I have on more than one occasion watched the gun shoot tighter and tighter groups during the break-in process while shooting the same load. I am a believer in proper break in.

 

Obviously this has nothing to do with the fact that barrels shoot better when fouled than squeeky clean.

 

When you shoot a new barrel you are "breaking it in"........the whole shoot and clean mess is a waste of time and materials. I run patches through a new barrel to clean out oil and crud from the manufacturing process and then don't touch them till the accuracy drops off.

 

What I meant by my statement was that I was following proper break-in procedures while I was grouping. Meaning I would shoot clean, shoot clean a five shot group and repeat. Groups would in fact get smaller as I went along. We all know barrels shoot better fouled.

[MogollonMan]

 

Who is to say it would shoot better?

 

What-ifs are plenty. Everyone has their opinion on this subject, and there is no way to try both with the same barrel to test which is better unless you have the time travel thing figured out.

 

 

This is the whole point that I am trying to make. Since you can't really know for certain if it shoots better or not with a thorough break-in, I'd rather play it safe and do the break-in.

[ThomC]

OK there is your proof. If you ask a question on the internet you will get answers. It should be clear now.

[.270]

To each his own. As long as nobody tells me I'm unethical, I don't care how folks clean their rifle. Lark.

[BruinPoint]

Here's an ethical method for breaking in any rifle:

[208muley]

Thanks for the replies guys and that's what I was afraid of, 50-50 split in opinions! the gun in question is a savage model 11 lightweight hunter, it's for my wife for hunting at normal ranges 300-350 yds although I may stretch it once in a while for fun. A friend of mine recommended a crazy method of shoot/clean first 5 then every five clean x3, then every 10 x2 clean, with no breaks to get the gun barrel dang near smoking hot. Didn't makes sense to me, sounded more like shooting out a barrel.

[GreyGhost85]

Thanks for the replies guys and that's what I was afraid of, 50-50 split in opinions! the gun in question is a savage model 11 lightweight hunter, it's for my wife for hunting at normal ranges 300-350 yds although I may stretch it once in a while for fun. A friend of mine recommended a crazy method of shoot/clean first 5 then every five clean x3, then every 10 x2 clean, with no breaks to get the gun barrel dang near smoking hot. Didn't makes sense to me, sounded more like shooting out a barrel.

Yeah, whatever method you use, I would stay away from that one. Especially on a really skinny barrel like those have

[208muley]

Totally agree!

[willhunt4coues]

I have always shot 1 and clean for 5 then shot 5 and clean for 20. The last barrel i got (Shilen) I just shot it and cleaned every 20 for 100. This new barrel actually never leaves any copper even after 100 rounds of not cleaning it is actually the best grouping barrel i have bought. I have looked through lots of barrels with my bore scope factory and custom. Most customs do not need anything done. Factory I would say depends on the manufacturer. Tikka is one of the barrels that looks like a custom very smooth with no tool marks. If you do decide to clean shoot clean shoot make sure you are removing ALL the copper or you are just wasting your time. In reality like others have said read what the manufacturer suggests.

[BeardownAZ]

Now days barrel break in is a complete waste of time and money in my opinion. I've done it and look back thinking what a waste of ammo. And that was with a long range 308 I was shooting paper with. I think its a gimmick personally but if you think it works, do it. I mean it all seems like no one has definitive proof it does or doesn't work anyway.