Breaking in a New Rifle

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:06 pm Post subject: Breaking in a New Rifle

Howdy.Whats your opinions on "breaking in a new rifle" does it make a difference. I never have so i can't compare. I have heard some talk on this recently and was curious Question

to what you guys think. Thanx!!!

BillPa · Member Joined: Mar 17, 2005 Posts: 89

Eve'n Joe
There are many,many,many opinions from shooters,makers,'smiths and my friends and a few not so friends . Each one has his/her ideas and methods and of course,each is RIGHT! Breaking in a barrel means removing any burrs and smoothing the bore to improve accuracy and copper fouling over the life of the barrel. But, I've used barrels from the best makers and had some that coppered very little and some that looked like a copper mine. Some shot, others,well..........

Now, onto my "RIGHT" method for a new tube. First, I completely clean the bore with Kroil and a good bore cleaner. When the patches come out clean, I follow with two patches with acetone then one or two dry ones. Next, I'll treat the bore with Lock-Ease(colloidal graphite) ,running three patches with graphite or until I can feel the patchs move smoothly the entire length. Lastly, I mop the chamber to remove any oil or graphite.
Before firing the first shot, I'll run one clean patch through it. Fire one shot, brush the bore slowley until I feel the it move easily, usually one to three passes. Next I'll patch with a 50/50 mixture of Kroil and Shooter's choice,then one dry patch and one treated with graphite. I'll repeat this for 5 shots. After that, I'll clean and re-treat the bore every 5 shots for a total of 20. Done! This procedure doesn't guarantee a barrel will shoot, but does usually copper foul considerbly less. I have a few barrels that completely clean with one of two patches.

Some other notes.
ALWAYS use a fitted bore guide.
When patching with bore cleaners,use a slightly loose patch/jag to prevent the throat from squeezing the cleaner out of the patch. This helps get the cleaner in the bore instead of the guide or chamber.
When brushing or patching, push the rod slowly through the bore. You don't want the rod slapping the lands.
Wipe off the rod after each pass.

Bill

vangunsmith · Rookie Member Joined: Mar 21, 2005 Posts: 2

Just shoot it and after a couple hundred rounds it should be broke in. vangunsmith

Gil Martin · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 3:29 pm Post subject: It depends

Since most of my guns were purchased from the used gun racks, someone else broke them in. The few new rifles that I have broken is were cleaned before the first range session and after every use. Seems to have worked. All the best...
Gil

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

Well, BillPa, you were sure right about the varied opinions!!!! Laughing

I'm kinda in the vangunsmith camp. All the new guns I've owned have been shot and cleaned well after each outing and then a good copper remover after about every 10 outings. Maybe they would shoot better with a "proper" break-in, but I'll never know now. Confused

I think as long as you keep the barrel well scrubbed and protected, it will shoot up to its potential. I feel that there is no cleaner that will remove burrs, only lapping will do that, and shooting the gun does a good job of lapping. Besides, shooting is more fun that manual lapping anytime. Wink

Just my 2 pennies worth.....Blaine

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:05 pm Post subject: Re: Breaking in a New Rifle

Howdy. Ya Blaine thats about how i have done it just shoot them and keep them clean with a good solvent and every so often hit them with some sweets ( that stuff is potent). They do sell abrasive bullets that you load to lap the barrel ? i don't no much about them either.