Suggestions on how to break in my barell?

[Creedmoor shooter]

I have a 6.5 Creedmoor on order and should be here next week. What do you all suggest for a barrel break in process? I've done some reading online but i want to know what your opinions are. Any help is appreciated!

 

[J E Custom]

I have a 6.5 Creedmoor on order and should be here next week. What do you all suggest for a barrel break in process? I've done some reading online but i want to know what your opinions are. Any help is appreciated!

Some don't believe in break in, I do and have seen the difference in performance.

I prefer the shoot 1 and clean, for 7 to 10 rounds. The shoot 3 and clean for 3 to 5 times. If the barrel cleans up quickly you can go th 5 shot strings before cleaning. (Take your time and don't
let the barrel get hot to the touch).

I plan on at least 20 rounds before the barrel is ready to start working up a load. (For break in
I use any good Jacketed bullet somewhere around the starting loads listed in the loading manuals)

This does a good job of fire forming your brass but does not reduce the life of the brass.

Each barrel is different and as you clean it ,it will let you know when it's broke in.

I have seen factory barrels take 60 to 80 rounds before they settled down.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Thanks for the help J E. When you clean between shots do you clean out the barrel as clean as you can get it? Do you use just a brush or patches as well? I usually use Hoppe's 9 solvent. Is this a good solvent or do you think i should use something else?

 

[J E Custom]

Thanks for the help J E. When you clean between shots do you clean out the barrel as clean as you can get it? Do you use just a brush or patches as well? I usually use Hoppe's 9 solvent. Is this a good solvent or do you think i should use something else?

I like to use Butches bore shine or Bore Tec Eliminator for this. they work well but are not to aggressive.

I like to use a cotton swab to apply the solvent and in the beginning a soft bronze brush it the barrel doesn't come clean after 2 or 3 patches.

It needs to be clean before the next shot or you defeat the purpose of brake in (Copper fouling slows the process).

After a few shots you can begin to feel the barrel getting better and patches start coming clean after 2 or 3.

Hoppe's Is a very good product for storing and light clean up but a more aggressive cleaner will speed up a slow process.

Hope this helps

J E CUSTOM

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Yes that helps thank you. Do you believe a bore guide is necessary? Because ive heard that if you dont then you could damage your bore. Is this true?

 

[J E Custom]

Yes that helps thank you. Do you believe a bore guide is necessary? Because ive heard that if you dont then you could damage your bore. Is this true?

It is a must. I also like to use the largest diameter cleaning rod possible. (It is more ridged
and does not snake down the bore).

J E CUSTOM

 

[SidecarFlip]

JE has nailed it pretty well. I use the Savage acumen on a new barrel myself. Basically the JE Custom method.

I think the most important aspect is making sure the barrel is never heated up. Light contours heat up quickly, Less mass to dissipate heat.

I have to say that Butch's is good stuff. Hoppes is good for storage (and it smells better) too.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Thanks for all the help! I'll definitely give that a go.

 

[HTSmith]

I give you this as a data point not as advice. On my last two custom barrels I cleaned them good before shooting. I then shot 5 rounds (pressure testing) and cleaned again. I then went about my business as usual, cleaning after each range session--usually about 20 rounds. Both barrels shoot very well and are easy to clean. They are button rifled, varmint contour barrels from a widely known maker.

Recently I shot one of them in an f class match and was unable to clean between the last two strings. Each string was 22 shots in about 20 minutes. I was dreading cleaning after 44 shots down the tube. It cleaned up with no extra effort.

Again I am not recommending that you do what I did. I'm just sharing my real life experience for what its worth. It could have been just plain luck.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Thank you. I actually have 50 rounds down the tube right now. For the 1st 5 shots i cleaned after every round. The went on to shooting 5 shot groups and then clean after etc. The groups started @ 1 moa 5 shot groups and are now down to 3/4 with the 123 a-max. I know it will shoot better when i run some 140's through it but i just havent gotten around to loading up the 140 a-max yet.

 

[wbm]

Just shoot the rifle unless you are into a waste of time and bore cleaner or are just fond of scrubbing the bore. You are not "breaking in" anything in by repetitive cleaning of a new barrel.

 

[mightyman]

WOW, you have obviously done your research....

Many of the top shooters, BR, LR as well as the manfacturers, agree on the benefits of cleaning a new Barell...
I have done it, and not done it on others...I certainly, most definitely can tell the difference.......


Mighty Man.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Just shoot the rifle unless you are into a waste of time and bore cleaner or are just fond of scrubbing the bore. You are not "breaking in" anything in by repetitive cleaning of a new barrel.

Yes i am breaking it in. When you brush it before you shoot it that will take out most any imperfections in the barrel. Then by shooting and cleaning, it helps with the copper getting laid out in the barrel. If you just start shooting with a new barrel, any imperfections in the barrel will get embedded into the rifling.

 

[Dosh]

Creedmoor, you mentioned the use of a bore guide. I really like the Mike Lucas two piece bore guide. Look him up on line, just give him a call. His guides are custom made for a specific make, caliber and keeps your cleaning rod off the lands which prolongs barrel life. Lucas will recommend a specific model cleaning rod for the guide. Good luck