Barrel break in true or not?

[gohring3006]

I break all my barrels in.
I do it because I need to get 150-200 rounds thru it to stabilize it and start load development. I'll do a break in just to get rounds down it.

 

[BillLarson]

F-Class shooter told me a button barrel settles in faster than a cut barrel. This true?

Not in my experience.....

 

[stovepipe]

I bought a christensen ridgeline 6.5 PRC a few weeks ago along with 2 boxes of hornady factory 143 eld x ammo, I cleaned the barrel fired a 3 shot group @ 100 it measured 1 1/2" then cleaned again, I repeated this process for total of 18 rounds as per their recommendation and each time I cleaned the next group shrank in size, the last 2 groups measured 1/4" so at least in these rifles and a good many more from my personal experience ..Barrel break in definitely helps

 

[Lee7588]

I bought a christensen ridgeline 6.5 PRC a few weeks ago along with 2 boxes of hornady factory 143 eld x ammo, I cleaned the barrel fired a 3 shot group @ 100 it measured 1 1/2" then cleaned again, I repeated this process for total of 18 rounds as per their recommendation and each time I cleaned the next group shrank in size, the last 2 groups measured 1/4" so at least in these rifles and a good many more from my personal experience ..Barrel break in definitely helps

After reading so many bad things about Christensen consider yourself fortunate. It would be nice to see them get back to where they were with quality control

 

[highfinblue]

I've done both, shot them in and cleaned between shots so called breaking in. My experience and it is not vast, is that if a rifle is going to shoot really well it won't take long to find that out. I'm sure there are exceptions, but my last custom build put shots 3-5 in the same hole at 100, and after 200 rounds it still shoots lights out. I have three rifles I shoot at distance and all were shot in, and all shoot well, and all are easy to clean. The dozens of rifles I have went through over the years all shot well, or I didn't own them long lol. Some went through break in procedures, some were simply shot; as noted here the makers themselves disagree as to which works best.

 

[Buffalobwana]

I have done it both ways. I can't tell if it makes a difference. So, I don't do it anymore and I'm very happy with the accuracy I get out of everything. If I can *usually*, get 1/2" from most good barrels, I'm sure it wouldn't have been much, if any better by breaking in.

It can't hurt, but I don't bother.

 

[Munch]

Barrel break-in....yes.
I pretty much use the same technique for every barrel. Is it needed for every barrel I install? Probably not.

I'm for any technique that gives YOU the confidence making that precision shot.

Cleaning (embedded link)...I met Speedy decades ago shooting F Class. Hard not to incorporate his cleaning techniques given his success.

 

[sturner]

Nope never no way

 

[RYelenov]

Big difference is that a new car comes with a warranty. I've never seen a barrel manufacturer give a warranty. I'm not saying that you can't shoot a new barrel and it won't be easy to clean, have no burrs, and perform well. But if I am going to buy a new barrel or gun I'm going to hedge my bet by breaking in the barrel after all we are talking about long range shooting so everything effects the travel of the bullet.

My Christiansen Arms 300WM PRC came with a barrel warranty and mandatory break-in, per their procedure.

 

[Culpeper]

Breaking in a barrel is unavoidable with live ammo.

 

[Culpeper]

My Christiansen Arms 300WM PRC came with a barrel warranty and mandatory break-in, per their procedure.

What is their procedure and how would they know? Anyway, sounds like an easy out of a warranty claim.

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

...always a good thing to clean her up a little but unless your competition benchrest shooting, your wasting your time in a hunting rifle...how many shots are you really going to shoot each year.. a handful if your lucky at a target ranging in size from a volleyball to a beachball...don't drive yourself looney over it..

 

[VinceMule]

IME - button rifled barrels can require more than a cut rifle barrel - even with that said, it is a barrel by barrel decision. Buttoning does cause more stress and usually requires more finish work but the same can be needed if a cut rifle barrel is using a worn cutter or a process that is a bit fast.

Most folks dont have a bore scope to tell if the barrel was properly lapped and finished. Many folks arent really sure of exactly what to look for either. So as a rule - break it in. The 15 rounds or so to break in a barrel are inconsequential to the long term barrel life so if there is no other down side, why not?

Break in can also help you develop your load and zero for your ladder while you are at it.

In my experience, cut rifle barrels are rougher than button rifle barrels, button rifle barrels are usually slick as glass. Brux is the only maker that is the exception to this rule that I have found. What gets lapped in during the break-in is the leade angle. I do not break them in anymore, just go and shoot and clean, but I will clean and de-copper after the first 15 rounds.

 

[VinceMule]

I laugh every time I see someone "breaking a barrel in". I'd bet dollars to donuts that most of those clowns do far more damage to the barrel with the cleaning rod, than good with the "fire lapping".

I know of a factory Tikka .260, that's had well over 300 rounds through it, and never been cleaned. Last time out it shot a 5 shot group in the 1/2" range…. just like it did when it was brand new.

Ignorance is Bliss