The absolute best way to break in a rifle barrel

Te Anau · October 10, 2009, 02:00 PM

From Howa...

BREAK-IN PROCEDURE FOR
GUN BARRELS USING JACKETED BULLETS
For the first ten shots we recommend using jacketed bullets with a nitro
powder load (Most Factory Ammo). Clean the oil out of the barrel before
each shot using a simple window cleaner (like Windex®) which will soak the
oil out of the pores. After firing each cartridge, use a good copper cleaner
(one with ammonia) to remove the copper fouling from the barrel. We do not
recommend anything with an abrasive in it since you are trying to seal the
barrel, not keep it agitated.
After cleaning with bore cleaner, clean again with window cleaner after each
shot. Use window cleaner because many bore cleaners use a petroleum base
which you want to remove before firing the next shot. This will keep the
carbon from building up in the barrel (oil left in the pores, when burned,
turns to carbon).
To keep the temperature cool in the barrel, wait at least 5 minutes between
break-in shots. The barrel must remain cool during the break-in procedure.
If the barrel is allowed to heat up during the break-in, it will destroy the
steel’s ability to develop a home registration point, or memory. It will have a
tendency to make the barrel “walk” when it heats up in the future. We have
all seen barrels that, as they heat up, start to shoot high and then “walk” to
the right. This was caused by improperly breaking in the barrel (generally by
sitting at a bench rest and shooting 20 rounds in 5 minutes or so). If you take
a little time in the beginning and do it right, you will be much more pleased
with the barrel in the future.
Look into the end of the barrel after firing a shot, and you will see a light
copper-colored wash in the barrel. Remove this before firing the next shot.
Somewhere during the procedure, around shot 6 or 7, it will be obvious that
the copper color is no longer appearing in the barrel. Continue the window
cleaner and bore cleaner applications through shot 10.
Following the initial ten shots, you then may shoot 2 rounds, cleaning
between each pair of shots, for the next 10 shots. This is simply insuring that
the burnishing process has been completed.
In theory, you are closing the pores of the barrel metal that have been opened
and exposed through the cutting and hand lapping procedures.

BREAK-IN PROCEDURE FOR
BARRELS USING LEAD BULLETS
The same shooting-cleaning process may be used when firing lead bullets and
black powder with this exception: shoot 2 cartridges, then clean for the first
30 rounds. Naturally, you will use a cleaner appropriate for black powder.
You can also use harder lead if available to accelerate the break in. This will
accomplish the same as the jacketed bullets.
It may take 80 to 100 rounds to break in with lead. That is why we
recommend using jacketed bullets when possible. After this procedure, your
barrel’s interior surface will be sealed and should shoot cleaner and develop
less fouling for the rest of its shooting life.

TPAW · October 10, 2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

The absolute best way to break in a rifle barrel

Buy it, thoroughly clean it, and go shoot. Try different ammo to see which one your rifle likes to eat best.

Kiwi Hunter · October 10, 2009, 05:08 PM

Buy it - clean it - take it out and shoot it

fisherman66 · October 10, 2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

In theory, you are closing the pores of the barrel metal that have been opened
and exposed through the cutting and hand lapping procedures.

In theory, huh? I don't suppose it can hurt to do a break in, but I belong to the just shoot it club.

Wow, I didn't know size 6 would be so big. Shoulda used Italics instead.

pvt.Long · October 10, 2009, 05:53 PM

here here just go out and shoot it hoot about 100 rounds that will break it in nicely

notorious_ar15 · October 10, 2009, 06:05 PM

I've done it that way (minus the window cleaner), but I've also had excellent results with Superior Shooting Systems / David Tubb's break in ammo.

brmfan · October 10, 2009, 06:42 PM

Funny how all of these 'best' methods assume all barrels are made of the same grade steel and are all rifled the same way etc. As others have said, just go out shoot the dang thing!!

bigautomatic · October 10, 2009, 07:26 PM

I think it all depends on how much time you like to spend cleaning, and what one might consider clean. I have some barrels that have been broken in as described in the original post, and some that were not. The barrels that were "broken in" most definately clean easier than the ones that were not "broken in", and don't collect nearly as much fouling. Are the ones that were broken in more accurate? Not that I can tell. I just like the fact that I don't have to run a pile of patches through them to get them clean, and foulers aren't necessary to get the rifle settled in. I can only speak about my own experiences, every barrel is different.

Bart B. · October 10, 2009, 08:18 PM

I've never broke in a barrel and they've all shot well enough to win lots of high power matches. They all started out shooting 1/2 MOA or so at 600 yards and open up only as they were wearing out.

If one thinks they need to break in a barrel, go ahead and wear it out a bit.

williamd · October 10, 2009, 09:27 PM

I worried about it a bit when I shot competition. Still have some bore compound around. But, now am a confrimed member of SHOOT IT!

pvt.Long · October 10, 2009, 10:51 PM

If your whineing about cleaning it, I say go shoot and clean a blackpowder rifle then compaire it to shooting a hundred rounds of the cheapest dirties ammo you can find

Swampghost · October 10, 2009, 11:49 PM

What do you expect from this rifle? If you plan to shoot F every little bit helps. I just hunt, buy used rifles amd most have been A+. Just ask the dead animals.

Seriously, most modern rifles will shoot MOA and most, better. This competition among manufacturers is HUGE. Today everybody seems to want to shoot a sniper-rifle.

hoytinak · October 10, 2009, 11:54 PM

I would think the best way to "break in a barrel" would be to just shoot it.

My "break in" procedure consist of first cleaning/lubing a new barrel then take it out to the range and shoot the snot out of it, clean and repeat.

javabum · October 11, 2009, 12:16 AM

It is just my opinion but the best way to break in a rifle is to do what ever you have been doing.This "best way" is a matter of opinion.You can have 10 rifles of the same caliber and same make and all of them will react differently regardless of what you do.

With that being said i buy,i clean and i shoot.No fancy break in,just load an pull the bang switch.If it hits with in an inch of where i was aiming im a happy camper.

Scorch · October 11, 2009, 12:22 AM

I believe in barrel break-in. I also believe that most factory barrels aren't worth the effort. If you want to break in a barrel, buy a good barrel to begin with.

darkgael · October 11, 2009, 07:58 AM

Yet another member of the "just go shoot it" school of thought.
Peter

Locoweed · October 11, 2009, 08:51 AM

+1 on the just go out and shoot it routine. At the end of the day give it a good cleaning.

James R. Burke · October 11, 2009, 06:28 PM

I use TPaw's method, and the others like him. Never had a problem.

red caddy · October 11, 2009, 07:15 PM

I'm firmly in the "break it in " club, but I only do the Shoot 1, clean, shoot 1, clean, drill on new barrels and after chambering and/ or crown work on used barrels. (I seem to go thru a lot of used stuff, I guess I just like the challenge of getting sombody elses cast off to shoot well.)

I have fire lapped used barrels, after a VERY thorough (chemical AND mechanical) cleaning and a good look with a bore scope and a magnafier,(to get ALL the copper wash and carbon residue out) several actually showed improvement and definately cleaned easier after this treatment.

I usually go afield with a clean DRY bore, I know where that first round is going and a fast follow up will usually go to the same place. (I never have shot for group, on meat, LOL) Paul.

Todd1700 · October 12, 2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Buy it - clean it - take it out and shoot it

Amen. The supposed need for breaking in a new barrel is one of the biggest piles of bull#### that still stinks up the online shooting world. Barrels don't need breaking in. And some of these really rigorous break in procedures actually help wear your barrel out significantly faster. And of course wearing your barrel out will degrade accuracy not help it.

Below is what Gale McMillan (a man that knew a thing or two about rifles) said about barrel break in.

Quote:

The break in fad was started by a fellow I helped get started in the barrel business . He started putting a set of break in instructions in ever barrel he shipped. One came into the shop to be installed and I read it and the next time I saw him I asked him What was with this break in crap?. His answer was Mac, My share of the market is about 700 barrels a year. I cater to the target crowd and they shoot a barrel about 3000 rounds before they change it. If each one uses up 100 rounds of each barrel breaking it in you can figure out how many more barrels I will get to make each year. If you will stop and think that the barrel doesn't know whether you are cleaning it every shot or every 5 shots and if you are removing all foreign material that has been deposited in it since the last time you cleaned it what more can you do? When I ship a barrel I send a recommendation with it that you clean it ever chance you get with a brass brush pushed through it at least 12 times with a good solvent and followed by two and only 2 soft patches. This means if you are a bench rest shooter you clean ever 7 or 8 rounds . If you are a high power shooter you clean it when you come off the line after 20 rounds. If you follow the fad of cleaning every shot for X amount and every 2 shots for X amount and so on the only thing you are accomplishing is shortening the life of the barrel by the amount of rounds you shot during this process. I always say Monkey see Monkey do, now I will wait on the flames but before you write them, Please include what you think is happening inside your barrel during break in that is worth the expense and time you are spending during break in

Alleykat · October 12, 2009, 10:11 AM

What are the chances that those guys @ Howa know as much about barrels as Gale McMillan?

Te Anau · October 14, 2009, 02:46 PM

I'm quite sure that the Howa factory has vastly more knowledge about barrel construction and the proper breaking in of one than 98% of those at this forum.Personally,I'm willing to take a chance on a proven system rather than just blasting away and hoping for the best.YMMV.
:-)

2rugers · October 14, 2009, 02:53 PM

O' FOR PETES SAKE!

Shoot the damn thing, REPEATEDLY, and clean it when your done.

smith357 · October 14, 2009, 06:43 PM

I like to hand lap a new factory barrel, a custom barrel should be lapped when made. After lapping there is no break in needed.

ZeroJunk · October 14, 2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

What are the chances that those guys @ Howa know as much about barrels as Gale McMillan?

What are the chances that Howa is talking about custom hand lapped barrels?

October 10, 2009, 02:00 PM	#1
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	The absolute best way to break in a rifle barrel From Howa... BREAK-IN PROCEDURE FOR GUN BARRELS USING JACKETED BULLETS For the first ten shots we recommend using jacketed bullets with a nitro powder load (Most Factory Ammo). Clean the oil out of the barrel before each shot using a simple window cleaner (like Windex®) which will soak the oil out of the pores. After firing each cartridge, use a good copper cleaner (one with ammonia) to remove the copper fouling from the barrel. We do not recommend anything with an abrasive in it since you are trying to seal the barrel, not keep it agitated. After cleaning with bore cleaner, clean again with window cleaner after each shot. Use window cleaner because many bore cleaners use a petroleum base which you want to remove before firing the next shot. This will keep the carbon from building up in the barrel (oil left in the pores, when burned, turns to carbon). To keep the temperature cool in the barrel, wait at least 5 minutes between break-in shots. The barrel must remain cool during the break-in procedure. If the barrel is allowed to heat up during the break-in, it will destroy the steel’s ability to develop a home registration point, or memory. It will have a tendency to make the barrel “walk” when it heats up in the future. We have all seen barrels that, as they heat up, start to shoot high and then “walk” to the right. This was caused by improperly breaking in the barrel (generally by sitting at a bench rest and shooting 20 rounds in 5 minutes or so). If you take a little time in the beginning and do it right, you will be much more pleased with the barrel in the future. Look into the end of the barrel after firing a shot, and you will see a light copper-colored wash in the barrel. Remove this before firing the next shot. Somewhere during the procedure, around shot 6 or 7, it will be obvious that the copper color is no longer appearing in the barrel. Continue the window cleaner and bore cleaner applications through shot 10. Following the initial ten shots, you then may shoot 2 rounds, cleaning between each pair of shots, for the next 10 shots. This is simply insuring that the burnishing process has been completed. In theory, you are closing the pores of the barrel metal that have been opened and exposed through the cutting and hand lapping procedures. BREAK-IN PROCEDURE FOR BARRELS USING LEAD BULLETS The same shooting-cleaning process may be used when firing lead bullets and black powder with this exception: shoot 2 cartridges, then clean for the first 30 rounds. Naturally, you will use a cleaner appropriate for black powder. You can also use harder lead if available to accelerate the break in. This will accomplish the same as the jacketed bullets. It may take 80 to 100 rounds to break in with lead. That is why we recommend using jacketed bullets when possible. After this procedure, your barrel’s interior surface will be sealed and should shoot cleaner and develop less fouling for the rest of its shooting life.

October 10, 2009, 05:53 PM	#5
pvt.Long Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Posts: 433	here here just go out and shoot it hoot about 100 rounds that will break it in nicely Last edited by pvt.Long; October 10, 2009 at 05:53 PM. Reason: misspelling

October 11, 2009, 12:22 AM	#15
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I believe in barrel break-in. I also believe that most factory barrels aren't worth the effort. If you want to break in a barrel, buy a good barrel to begin with. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 11, 2009, 07:58 AM	#16
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Just go Yet another member of the "just go shoot it" school of thought. Peter __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

October 10, 2009, 05:08 PM	#3
Kiwi Hunter Member Join Date: August 13, 2009 Posts: 76	Buy it - clean it - take it out and shoot it

October 10, 2009, 06:05 PM	#6
notorious_ar15 Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Posts: 32	I've done it that way (minus the window cleaner), but I've also had excellent results with Superior Shooting Systems / David Tubb's break in ammo.

October 10, 2009, 06:42 PM	#7
brmfan Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2008 Posts: 557	Funny how all of these 'best' methods assume all barrels are made of the same grade steel and are all rifled the same way etc. As others have said, just go out shoot the dang thing!!

October 10, 2009, 07:26 PM	#8
bigautomatic Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 610	I think it all depends on how much time you like to spend cleaning, and what one might consider clean. I have some barrels that have been broken in as described in the original post, and some that were not. The barrels that were "broken in" most definately clean easier than the ones that were not "broken in", and don't collect nearly as much fouling. Are the ones that were broken in more accurate? Not that I can tell. I just like the fact that I don't have to run a pile of patches through them to get them clean, and foulers aren't necessary to get the rifle settled in. I can only speak about my own experiences, every barrel is different.

October 10, 2009, 08:18 PM	#9
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	I've never broke in a barrel and they've all shot well enough to win lots of high power matches. They all started out shooting 1/2 MOA or so at 600 yards and open up only as they were wearing out. If one thinks they need to break in a barrel, go ahead and wear it out a bit.

October 10, 2009, 09:27 PM	#10
williamd Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 801	I worried about it a bit when I shot competition. Still have some bore compound around. But, now am a confrimed member of SHOOT IT!

October 10, 2009, 10:51 PM	#11
pvt.Long Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Posts: 433	If your whineing about cleaning it, I say go shoot and clean a blackpowder rifle then compaire it to shooting a hundred rounds of the cheapest dirties ammo you can find

October 10, 2009, 11:49 PM	#12
Swampghost Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: Florida, east coast Posts: 2,106	What do you expect from this rifle? If you plan to shoot F every little bit helps. I just hunt, buy used rifles amd most have been A+. Just ask the dead animals. Seriously, most modern rifles will shoot MOA and most, better. This competition among manufacturers is HUGE. Today everybody seems to want to shoot a sniper-rifle.

October 10, 2009, 11:54 PM	#13
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	I would think the best way to "break in a barrel" would be to just shoot it. My "break in" procedure consist of first cleaning/lubing a new barrel then take it out to the range and shoot the snot out of it, clean and repeat.

October 11, 2009, 12:16 AM	#14
javabum Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Californication Posts: 264	It is just my opinion but the best way to break in a rifle is to do what ever you have been doing.This "best way" is a matter of opinion.You can have 10 rifles of the same caliber and same make and all of them will react differently regardless of what you do. With that being said i buy,i clean and i shoot.No fancy break in,just load an pull the bang switch.If it hits with in an inch of where i was aiming im a happy camper.

October 11, 2009, 08:51 AM	#17
Locoweed Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 661	+1 on the just go out and shoot it routine. At the end of the day give it a good cleaning.

October 11, 2009, 06:28 PM	#18
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	I use TPaw's method, and the others like him. Never had a problem.

October 11, 2009, 07:15 PM	#19
red caddy Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2009 Location: South West Florida Posts: 139	I'm firmly in the "break it in " club, but I only do the Shoot 1, clean, shoot 1, clean, drill on new barrels and after chambering and/ or crown work on used barrels. (I seem to go thru a lot of used stuff, I guess I just like the challenge of getting sombody elses cast off to shoot well.) I have fire lapped used barrels, after a VERY thorough (chemical AND mechanical) cleaning and a good look with a bore scope and a magnafier,(to get ALL the copper wash and carbon residue out) several actually showed improvement and definately cleaned easier after this treatment. I usually go afield with a clean DRY bore, I know where that first round is going and a fast follow up will usually go to the same place. (I never have shot for group, on meat, LOL) Paul.

October 12, 2009, 10:11 AM	#21
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	What are the chances that those guys @ Howa know as much about barrels as Gale McMillan?

October 14, 2009, 02:46 PM	#22
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	I'm quite sure that the Howa factory has vastly more knowledge about barrel construction and the proper breaking in of one than 98% of those at this forum.Personally,I'm willing to take a chance on a proven system rather than just blasting away and hoping for the best.YMMV. :-)

October 14, 2009, 02:53 PM	#23
2rugers Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2005 Location: texas Posts: 762	O' FOR PETES SAKE! Shoot the damn thing, REPEATEDLY, and clean it when your done.

October 14, 2009, 06:43 PM	#24
smith357 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Posts: 270	I like to hand lap a new factory barrel, a custom barrel should be lapped when made. After lapping there is no break in needed.