Breaking in a new rifle barral

Turbodude

Active Member
Oct 17, 2017
191
174
Red side of Ca
What are your thoughts on breaking in a new rifle barrel. Have heard several theories. Yeah I broke own and bought 1 last rifle that I probably don't nee but since our new possible president O'Biden could take office, thoght I needed to get 1 more. Thx TD
 

JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
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Gypsum, Co
There are dozen of different ideas on how to break one in.

My last rifle I cleaned it when I got home. Then I took it to the range and shot 5 shots spaced way apart so as not to even think of heating up the barrel, I then cleaned it again. After I cleaned it I shot it another 5 times waiting between each shot and then cleaned it again. I did this for a total of 4 times and 20 shots.

After that when I shot it I never let the barrel warm up enough to even feel it with a bare hand, then I would clean it each time I was done shooting for the day. Then once 100 rounds were through it I just treat it as a regular rife.

Is this the right way or the wrong way, I have no idea but it works for me.
 

Slugz

Veteran member
Oct 12, 2014
3,657
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Casper, Wyoming
Fire once Clean - for the first 10-15 rounds
Fire 3 rounds Clean - for the next 20-30 rounds
Fire 5 rounds Clean - for the next 30-50 rounds

Clean = Wipeout Brushless Bore Cleaner. Muzzle on the ground, gun vertical. Muzzle on a white cloth. Keep repeating until no blue is on the cloth. Then Hoppe 9 with a coated rod, brass jag until clean. Ensure the throat/chamber is all cleaned out as there will be residual in there.


After the above clean every 20 -25.


There are other bore cleaners out there but none work as well or is as easy as the Wipe Out.
 
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D_Dubya

Active Member
Aug 8, 2012
472
993
South Texas
Fire once Clean - for the first 10-15 rounds
Fire 3 rounds Clean - for the next 20-30 rounds
Fire 5 rounds Clean - for the next 30-50 rounds

Clean = Wipeout Brushless Bore Cleaner. Muzzle on the ground, gun vertical. Muzzle on a white cloth. Keep repeating until no blue is on the cloth. Then Hoppe 9 with a coated rod, brass jag until clean. Ensure the throat/chamber is all cleaned out as there will be residual in there.


After the above clean every 20 -25.


There are other bore cleaners out there but none work as well or is as easy as the Wipe Out.
This is pretty much the exact same procedure I use. I think the first 20 shots are the most critical, you’ll notice much less fouling when cleaning after those first 20.
 

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
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Eastern Nebraska
Each manufacturer has their own instructions/recommendations. I have always tried to follow the specific manufacturer's recommendations. There are also differences in recommendations between barrel materials/finishes so make sure you are following the correct procedure for the actual model you have.

Here is Weatherby's recommendation - https://weatherby.com/faqs/what-does-weatherby-recommend-as-a-break-in-procedure/

Here is Remington's -
To properly break in or "season" a rifle barrel we recommend you use a good quality cleaning rod, a good quality bronze brush and patch tip, flannel patches and quality bore solvent. (we recommend the use of Remington Brite Bore Cleaner & Rem Oil).
INSTRUCTIONS:
For the first 20 shots, you should do the following:
For the first (10) shots:
Run a patch saturated with Rem Oil through the bore after each of the first 10 shots, and follow up with a patch saturated with Remington Brite Bore, and finally a clean patch to remove all residue.
For each of the next 10 shots, run a patch saturated with Rem Oil through the bore after every two shots, and follow up with a patch saturated with Remington Brite Bore, and finally a clean patch to remove all residue. Now follow the cleaning guidelines below:
To ensure the highest possible barrel quality/life, you should repeat this cleaning procedure every 20-25 shots until the barrel has had at least 100 rounds through it. Failure to do so could result in excessive build up of fouling (copper/lead deposits) in the bore causing decreased accuracy and requiring more frequent cleaning between shots.


Other manufacturers do not have a recommendation, like Ruger.

Hope this helps!
 
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mallardsx2

Veteran member
Jul 8, 2015
3,903
3,216
No matter what you choose dont forget to take out the ramrod.....I know a guy who knew a guy.
 
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