Do Not Break in your Barrel

[Someoldguy]

Boy these borescopes sure have changed the game..at least with respect to what the masses now see. I'm a believer in proper break in but one has to realize that the burr we're talking about is very tiny. The entire land is only about as tall as a human hair is thick..about .004"

Not saying there isn't a burr or that you shouldn't do a proper break in..just putting things in perspective.

And FWIW, these precious and delicate barrels are lapped to pristine finish with between 240-320 grit abrasive. Sure wouldn't want to put a bronze brush in there, but that's another subject.

240 - 320 is too fine.

 

[Zero333]

The cows ain't coming home any time soon.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

240 - 320 is too fine.

Just telling ya what most use, not what's best to use. Actually though, I should have said 220-320. I have had a few that were lapped with 320 and they did not foul. In fact, they were and are what I'd deem as excellent barrels. I know what you're saying though. Too smooth is not good.

 

[msinc]

......one has to realize that the burr we're talking about is very tiny........

Yeah, no B.S.!!!!! As a matter of fact, it has to be microscopic in order for Iosso or JB or some other polishing paste to take it out. I just have a Hawkeye, that must be why I cant see the "inevitable"....and all this time I thought I was a good machinist, never having done all this polishing....darn.
Take a needle and as fine as you can scratch a piece of stainless steel so you can barely see it...then polish it away by hand with Iosso or Flitz until it is gone...not pretty and shiny, gone.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Yeah, no B.S.!!!!! As a matter of fact, it has to be microscopic in order for Iosso or JB or some other polishing paste to take it out. I just have a Hawkeye, that must be why I cant see the "inevitable"....and all this time I thought I was a good machinist, never having done all this polishing....darn.
Take a needle and as fine as you can scratch a piece of stainless steel so you can barely see it...then polish it away by hand with Iosso or Flitz until it is gone...not pretty and shiny, gone.

I didn't say otherwise

 

[TRA]

They make small diameter nylon abrasive brushes. Maybe one of those brushes and a sawzall !! Might even qualify as a get rich quick, trick of the week, an adapter with your choice of brushes.

 

[DirtySteve]

I am late to the party for this. But here it goes. I never break in my barrels. I buy nothing but match barrels. Mostly Rock Creek and Shilen. I get 1/2 MOA usually from the get go and that is all I want or need. I don't want to use a significant portion of my barrels life just breaking it in. Then move on to load development. How much barrel life would I loose doing both of these things? I just jump straight to developing a load. Of course I shoot F Class and not bench rest where the wind is a bigger factor than most everything else.

 

[Raythemanroe]

What do F-CLASS shooters blame when there is good conditions?


Ray

 

[DirtySteve]

What do F-CLASS shooters blame when there is good conditions?


Ray

Nothing if your rifle shoots a half minute and you score a 9 it was shooter error not the gun. A half minute gun will shoot a perfect score. I shot 1 X a while back on a 15 shot match. Still place 4th lol.. Yeah missed a wind change and slammed one in the 6 ring.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Nothing if your rifle shoots a half minute and you score a 9 it was shooter error not the gun. A half minute gun will shoot a perfect score. I shot 1 X a while back on a 15 shot match. Still place 4th lol.. Yeah missed a wind change and slammed one in the 6 ring.

Explains all the Savages

Ray