How many rounds for barrel break-in?

[Joe Salt]

Thats one reason I like the 300WSM you can fire form in a match and do well. You keep saying the barrel needs over 100 rounds through it before you get the velocity you are looking for, that it increases as you break it in. Most of the barrels I have had either shot from the get go, or end up so so! 30 rounds just to get it sighted in, If you know were the first shot went just click to it and you are done. Just trying to save you ammo.

Joe Salt

 

[ShootDots]

I appreciate what you're doing Joe.. I am just explaining the "why" behind what I do.. The reason I do the 30 rounds at the onset, is to fireform brass that I will use for load development. It is always out of the same lot and I don't add firings to the brass I will use for competition. I fireform the brass I will use in competition at an actual match.. My .284 Shehane sped up just during the match I used for breaking in the barrel and fireforming the brass so that from being sighted in at 1000 yards, I had to continually keep "clicking" the scope down to even have a chance of keeping it in the 10 ring. I can't say how many "clicks" I dropped on the elevation but I think it had to be close to 1 m.o.a.

 

[Joe Salt]

That is something else you will find out, some barrels like 5-6 shots before they settle in at 1000 yards. What I do is get my windage where I want it, first while the rifle is settling in, then worry about elevation. I have only had one barrel in my life that would shoot the same place from a clean cold bore. That was a HART 1-10 twist and I still have it! may make it into a hunting rifle some day. Where are you going to be shooting 1000 yard?

Joe Salt

 

[ShootDots]

I shoot regularly at Bayou Rifles in Houston.. The first Sunday of the month is designated for 1000 yards. I go and "foul out" the barrel and make sure it is sighted in, usually the week prior to the match.. Next week I will be taking the Shehane out to 1000 and use 25 of the 100 rounds I use for a match for 1.) make sure it is sighted in; 2.) foul out the barrel (for reasons you stated) and 3.) get SOME practice in.. That leaves 5 "sighters" per match and 20 rounds for score. Comes out to a nice round 100 count number every time..