Barrel Break in Question

[Bennies]

Well when I get my R 700 all ready to go I realized it will be my first time owning a rifle that does not have a chrome lined barrel. So does anyone have an special tips for barrel break in? Also does anyone use a bore guide to clean? I heard they do well in protecting during the cleaning. thanks

[maverick2076]

Searching around on this topic you will find tons of people with vehement opinions both for and against specific types of barrel break-in. I do know that the US Army has a very specific break-in that they use on the M110 sniper system. However, I don't know if that is a manufacturer's requirement or an Army one. I really have no opinion on the matter in either direction. On one hand, I can't see how it would hurt, but I also, objectively, can't see any specific benefit. YMMV.

[A-R]

Basic break-in I've read about and used on my Savage .308 is to run some wet patches down bore to clean it out before first round, then fire three rounds, then run a patch or snake through bore, three more shots, repeat. I think I did this for about 15 rounds. I'm a total amateur when it comes to rifles, especially accurate distance shooting. No idea if it helps or not because I'm not a good enough shot to recognize the subtle differences. But maybe that helps get you started.

[MoJo]

With any new riffle barrel I do this. 1. Clean the bore carefully with a wet patch on a tight fitting jag going slowly felling for any rough spots. Dry the bore and fire one shot clean as before, do this 10X. 2. Clean carefully after the next 20 rounds until you've fired 100 rounds (you don't have to do anything but step 1. The same day. 3. After break in clean, after each time you shoot and leave the bore wet or oily. Dry the bore before each shooting session.

Use a rod guide! Too many good barrels are ruined by improper cleaning procedures. Avoid the use of bore brushes and bore polishing compounds using them only when the fouling can't be removed by use of tight patches soaked in solvent. Aluminum cleaning rods are poison to a rifle bore, brass is best, steel and stainless are OK but should be coated. Clean your rod before use to remove any abrasive bits that may have been picked up. A properly maintained rifle barrel should give you hundreds or thousands of rounds of accurate performance.

[RECIT]

I would hope thousands not hundreds...

[WildBill]

I would hope thousands not hundreds...

I would hope tens of thousands could be shot without significant wear.

I have never owned any firearm with a chrome-lined barrel and have never worn out a barrel. Maybe if it was used in a military environment that saw constant heavy use over a long period of time, I might be concerned.

[Bennies]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I purchased a bore guide yesterday at the gun show as well as some ammo. So I will be breaking in the rifle by the end of this week hopefully when my scope rings come in.

[Beiruty]

What barrel BreaK? Just shoot and clean when done. Use Brass rods with patches and solvent and you are golden (at the range a swipe of bore snake if available is a good idea). Happy Shooting!

When shooting 1 MOA and hitting 8" steel at 400 yrd that you are ballin