Breaking in new barrel

[Longrangelefty]

I recently purchased a benchrest rifle and am in the process of getting a new barrel placed on it. I have never broken in a new barrel and want to make sure I do it properly, so what is the proper way to break in the new one?

 

[Comrade Terry]

What does your barrel manufacturer have to say about it?

Here's what Krieger says: https://www.kriegerbarrels.com/faq#breakin

 

[butchlambert]

So, do you really know what actually needs to be addressed? Do a search on the forum and you will find a ton of info. Some good and some not so good.

 

[josh shrum]

I use the fire one, clean until no copper and repeat, suggested in the Krieger link.

Some barrels break in faster than others.

Some barrels make copper no matter what.

Most barrels break in/clean up quickly, some will not.

 

[butchlambert]

I use the fire one, clean until no copper and repeat, suggested in the Krieger link.

Some barrels break in faster than others.

Some barrels make copper no matter what.

Most barrels break in/clean up quickly, some will not.

Congrats on your new IBS job. What does a lapped top notch barrel need broken in?

 

[johara1]

I use the fire one, clean until no copper and repeat, suggested in the Krieger link.

Some barrels break in faster than others.

Some barrels make copper no matter what.

Most barrels break in/clean up quickly, some will not.

Sounds like a politician, but good advice, don't shoot over copper...... jim

 

[bsumoba]

Pre-Firing: Clean the barrel very well.

1) Slap on a Magneto or install your chrono downrange or next to your gun (LabRadar). Load up 5-10 rounds in half grain increments, starting low and shoot them through the chrono to get initial velocity numbers. As you work up and hit pressure signs, STOP and when you get home, pull the other hotter rounds if you have any left. This does three things: you get rounds down the barrel to "break" it in, you get initial velocity numbers as a reference point and lastly, you hopefully loaded high enough to determine where you high pressure is.
2) Clean until no copper and carbon
3) Based on step #1, start load development where you want to start it.

DONE...I'll normally have a load within 30-60 rounds down the barrel.

If you can't seem to do this because the internet tells you need to clean more, then in step #1, shoot first round and clean, shoot 3 rounds and clean, then shoot the rest.

Once you get the most accurate load, then chronograph that load at that point.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

what's a barrel break in?

 

[long40shot]

I've tried a few different methods. I'm not sure of any of it is better than the other. I wouldn't go over board. Shoot a few, clean it. Shoot a few clean it.

 

[JimPag]

Just shoot the damn thing. It will break itself in. Shoot, Clean, shoot, clean what a bunch of BS. People wreak more barrels cleaning them than anything else. Read the article that Gail McMillan wrote about barrels. He forgot more about barrels that most of us will ever know. He said that he has seen more harm done with that shoot, clean method.

 

[Shynloco]

I've used this method for several barrels and one that has worked out for me.

Total number of rounds = 40. Doesn't have to be top grade bullets, but I use bullets that have the same weight as my "good" bullets to get my scope close to zero at the same time.

Shoot 1 then clean X 5
Shoot 3 then clean X 5
Shoot 5 then clean X 2
Shoot 10 then clean X 1

Alex

 

[USMCDOC]

what's a barrel break in?

a 3X600 or 1000!

 

[josh shrum]

Congrats on your new IBS job. What does a lapped top notch barrel need broken in?

Thanks Butch!

Maybe the break in thing is all in my head, hell it probably is.

I doubt I will ever be able to trust a barrel that I have not put through a break in for the same reason I weigh powder versus dropping it.

I want to have the confidence that what I take to a match is as good as I can get it.

 

[josh shrum]

I should probably say that the most rounds I ever put through a barrel for a break in was 9...

 

[Tommie]

Oh dear Lord. Here's go again.

Take Gale McMillian's words to heart:
http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html

Now, lets discuss moly coated bullets. Shall we?

 

[savagedasher]

I JB mine before I shoot it . It maybe the wrong thing to do to some . I know the barrel is factory leaped but the chamber isn't .
100 strokes on the leads and a few out the crown don't hurt nothing . Larry

 

[Cool Tool]

Well here i go probably wrong give a very thorough cleaning prior to break in shoot 5 rds an clean with a very good cleaner an shoot 5 for 20 rds n done

 

[JohnKielly]

I suggest it comes down to personal experience, which could well depend on who chambered your rifle. I shot open range with the Nev Madden referred to in the last link, while he was still shooting more ISSF & before he got his Australian HOF qualifications & damn, it seemed we got more barrels shooting earlier & longer using his technique that otherwise.

...and for sure, any barrel maker who suggests breaking in a barrel is only interested in suckering you in to wasting good scoring shots - you really believe that conspiracy theory?

 

[K22]

There is no definitive absolute answer to this subject since you can test various break in procedures on the same barrel and each barrel is different. There are some common sense steps you can take. Don't let the copper build up. Custom barrels tend to have less imperfections than some factory barrels so cleaning should be adjusted accordingly.

On new factory barrels I run five patches of JB Bore Polish down the bore initially then clean with normal solvents. I then clean with solvent after each range session which is about 10 to 20 rounds for me. After about 100 rounds using this method I go to my standard cleaning frequency which is about 30 to 40 rounds. This seems to work for me.

If you use the often recommended, shoot one shot clean, shoot another shot clean, etc. at the range make sure you have a solid support and use a bore guide so you don't damage the bore. Also don't contaminant the cleaning rod by laying it on the bench where it can pick up debris. I've seen this several times at the range and it always amuses me.

 

[ShootDots]

For many, many years I used to break barrels in very meticulously. And not too terribly long ago, I saw the benefits of doing that. I would still do that if I ever bought a factory rifle again. However, the new barrels, of the last few years, especially the cut rifle barrels, I see no reason nor benefit to the practice anymore. I simply go shoot, clean it to the bone afterward and you are good to go!