proper barrel break in

[darrindlh]

Guys buying a new rifle a vanguard 300 wm. I want to properly break in the barrel before I get my loads reloaded. I have never broken in a barrel before. This is the first brand new rifle I will have owned. Any suggestions will be much appreciated!!

Darrin

 

[rscott5028]

darrindlh,

Opinions will range from (a) it's a complete waste of time, to (b) clean after every shot you ever take.

A quick search in this forum will turn up a lot of ideas.

The top barrel manufacturers are also a good reference...

Welcome to Shilen Rifles, Inc.

Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels - Centerfire Maintenance

Break-In & Cleaning

Bartlein Barrels, Inc. - Break In/Cleaning

PAC-NOR Barreling, Inc. - Barrel Care

Hart Rifle Barrels

Good Luck!!!
Richard

 

[esshup]

We haven't gotten to the load dialing in phase yet, but I gave my nephew a Mossberg ATR for Christmas. We did the shoot 1/clean using a good copper solvent for the first 10 shots, then did the shoot 3/clean for the next 21 shots. He was amazed at how much faster the barrel cleaned up, and how little pressure was required to get the patch thru the bore at the end. He bought 200 patches and it wasn't enough.........

Buy and use a bore guide.

 

[Hairtrigger]

For a hunting rifle follow this guy's instructions closely.
YouTube - Proper Barrel Break-in Procedure
For a custom barrel on a benchrest rifle follow the makers instructions

 

[MontanaRifleman]

There is no set number of times to clean after each shot to break-in a barrel. Every barrel is different and the idea is to shoot and clean until the job is done, meaning, until there is significantly less fouling or almost no fouling between shots. That might take 3 shots or maybe 20 or more.

Here's a good article that one of our sponsor smiths wrote...

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f5/custom-barrel-care-17x-jim-see-50118/

 

[darrindlh]

Thank you for the replies and for the jokes. I enjoyed the info and a good laugh!!
Darrin