Advice re breaking in a new .308 barrel

[ImBIllT]

^^^ Sounds about right. He should certainly know.

 

[mram10]

Many barrel manufacturers say more barrels are ruined by cleaning than shooting. I try to listen to the older gentlemen that have tried all the different methods. They seem to adhere to the keep it simple method. Enjoy shooting

 

[amlevin]

Whenever I see this topic as a thread title I first make popcorn then start reading.

I'll be breaking in a new barrel soon (as soon as I recover from a quad bypass) and will probably put maybe 5 rounds down the barrel, clean, then just shoot until groups open up. Did that for the last 3 barrels from the same barrel maker and every one was a gem.

When I look down the bore with my bore-cam it looks like they finished it with metal polish after lapping. Throat and bore both nice and shiny. Why waste barrel life trying to improve on "near perfect".

 

[47WillysGuy]

German Salazar had a great write about barrel break in: here’s the gist of the write up.















And that’s it.

 

[Intheshop]

I miss Salazar's blog(or whatever it was called)......read,and reread those articles many times.He had a way with "clarity".I don't want to know the story on him pulling it....but hope he's doing well.

 

[XTR]

I broke in a new Krieger once by shooting ten shots to confirm that my load from my previous Barrel was still good with juggernauts cleaned it and then shot a two-day match with it. I couldn't tell the difference between that one and any other barrel I've had

I have I have noticed that with some new barrels I daresay most new barrels that you do get some copper after the first time you shoot with them. I don't know if I see it at one shot I usually shoot 10 or 20 shots before I clean and I do usually get copper from most on that first cleaning and after that I don't see any again for 2000 rounds with a 308

 

[Campbell]

Many thanks for all of your input. I accept that many of you will have forgotten more than I am likely to learn.

I always work on the basis of reason i.e. why does one choose a certain regime for any process. Sometimes it is very difficult to arrive at a definitive regime, barrel break-in, IMO, is one such subject.

What do you think of my proposed regime for barrel break-in: -

I intend to use the VFG cleaning system i.e. a felt wad impregnated with phosphor bronze particles and further impregnated by me with a bore polishing compound.

I will run this through the barrel twice (using a back and forwards motion I resist in using the word scrubbing) prior to shooting in order to remove crud and reduce any machining imperfections.

I will then shoot the 22 rounds for a competition then clean using Forrest Bore foam noting the amount of copper fouling.

I will then shoot another 22 rounds for a competition then clean using Forrest Bore foam and note again the amount of copper fouling. If the fouling is significant, I repeat the felt wad process.

Many thanks

 

[K22]

I smile every time I see this subject because no one can prove or disprove a method because you cannot test different methods in the same barrel and every barrel is potentially different.

It makes sense to clean new barrel before shooting to remove any perservative. After that I clean every 20 to 30 rounds depending on the level of overbore for a cartridge. I have no idea if this is better or worse than any other method. As long as my rifles group within my standards I'm happy.

 

[spitfire_er]

The guy I learned to build rifles from was an old big time BR shooter and an accomplished gunsmith. When we finished a rifle, it got cleaned to ensure no chips or oil were left in the barrel, brought to one of the shooting rooms and a 5 shot group was fired to test both functionality, and accuracy.

It was then usually cleaned and set on the shelf till the customer came to pick it up. His recommendation then was, just shoot it. They don't need a break in period. They were all premium barrels mainly Hart's, but many others were used to.

They all shot very well. He wouldn't let a rifle ( hunting rifle) leave his shop if it shot over 1/2" 5 shot group with known loads. BR rifles were a different animal, but same procedure.

That's basically how I still do my new barrels unless something comes up, usually a fouling issue. Of the several dozen I've done, an older Blackstar barrel that shot the lights out but copper fouled bad for the first 100 rounds or so, and a crappy green mountain barrel for a cheap Mauser build that did the same. Both were CM barrels, and I expected as much from the GM barrel.

I saw hundreds of rifles that he built shoot amazingly well, so I never had a reason to start a whole break in regimen.