Barrel break in

[bgilli2]

I have a new .30-06 with a Brux barrel. I notice after I clean the barrel with wipe out it takes 8 shots to get back to decent groups (1/2 MOA). Is this normal?

Also, how many shots before you would consider a barrel broke in? Mine has about 80 down it now.

Lastly, after break in how many shots before cleaning barrel? My zero changes slightly after cleaning so I am wondering if I can shot maybe 50 times before cleaning now...

Thanks

 

[grit]

I've never used wipe out. I use amonia based solvents, followed by an oiled patch, followed by two dry patches. Seems all my barrels are a bit different. After my routine, things settle down with one to three foulers. Eight seems a lot.

Most barrels break in very quickly, five to twenty rounds. The most recent took five rounds, then started pounding them into the same hole. Some show marked improvement after you run a hundred rounds through them.

I typically run 40 - 60 rounds between cleaning. They'll tell you when they need to be cleaned.

 

[Bravo 4]

I've never used wipe out. I use amonia based solvents, followed by an oiled patch, followed by two dry patches. Seems all my barrels are a bit different. After my routine, things settle down with one to three foulers. Eight seems a lot.

Most barrels break in very quickly, five to twenty rounds. The most recent took five rounds, then started pounding them into the same hole. Some show marked improvement after you run a hundred rounds through them.

I typically run 40 - 60 rounds between cleaning. They'll tell you when they need to be cleaned.

I do use wipeout and love the stuff. I agree with the above. 8 rounds sounds like a lot but my 7 mag takes about that to settle as well. Most rifles not so much.
They will tell you when they need cleaned.

 

[liltank]

I usually shoot 5 to foul out my barrel. They will hit POI w/ a clean bore, but won't group as tightly until 5rnds. After that, I will go 75-100rnd between cleanings, unless I am changing powders. I try to have a clean bore between powders.

 

[Enzo]

Wow am i doing this wrong ? I clean after every 5 shots with 1 fowling shot fired to start. I guess this is not necessary?

 

[SVG308]

I don't believe it's necessary. I have run my 260 over 150 rounds without cleaning and it still shoots in the 3s.

 

[liltank]

Enzo,
For a break in, I shoot 5 and clean between each. The biggest part is being sure to get all the copper out. Then I go to 2shots for a series of 5 (10 total shots), then I got to 3shots for 5 (15rnds total), then 5shots for 5 (25 total shots). Then I start with load development and going to 50-100 rnds between cleanings.

 

[Enzo]

Wow thanks fellas . Saved me alot of time. I will try 50 rnds and cleaning .

 

[Coyboy]

Once a custom barrel is well "shot in" you can cut down on cleanings, some of my f-class rifles have gone 100- 120 rounds and still shot 198 and 199 at 1000 yards.

 

[JeffP40]

Enzo, quit cleaning! Just shoot the thing. When it starts to obviously open up the groups, then clean. Probably be long after you are afraid you are hurting it by not cleaning. You are able to actually hurt it by cleaning.

 

[grit]

Once a custom barrel is well "shot in" you can cut down on cleanings, some of my f-class rifles have gone 100- 120 rounds and still shot 198 and 199 at 1000 yards.

198 and 199? Maybe if you cleaned a little more you wouldn't be droppin' points!

 

[Coyboy]

198 and 199? Maybe if you cleaned a little more you wouldn't be droppin' points!

Good Point! I'll have to rethink this whole barrel swabbin'

 

[strombeckj]

Every barrel is different. Mine all require various cleaning at different times to keep them shooting their best. Here are a couple good reads.

Bore Cleaning Method

Bore Brushing--How Much is Too Much?

Jon