Break in

Howard Law

karlvv

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So what's your favorite method? I heard a few varieties that are all similar. How do you break in a new barrel?
 

medium187mph

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Pistol or rifle?

If it's a rifle , I like a bore snake and run a few rounds and pull it through a few times.

After a few rounds (10-20) I get trigger happy lol
 

dial1911

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Dad's been in the benchrest community for years and years... his opinion is that the barrel break in procedure was to get guys to shoot more rounds through that barrel. I mean, benchrest competition barrels have a lifespan of 400 to 500 rounds. If you can get a guy to burn 20% of that life on an extended break in procedure, you can sell more barrels.

My own opinion, clean the factory barrel to make sure there's no debris in it. Shoot it at the range. Bring it home and clean it.
 
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cmshoot

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I have different procedures for different types of barrels.

I'm guessing you have some AK variant? Those I just shoot.
 

Laufen

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So what's your favorite method? I heard a few varieties that are all similar. How do you break in a new barrel?
I start with running a number of oiled and dry patches through the new barrel to make sure it's clean and dry. I fire a round and clean, fire a round and clean for about 5 rounds. Then I shoot 5 and clean x 3. Then I'm done. I don't know for sure if it matters, but it only takes a little bit of time, doesn't hurt anything, and once it's done it's done.
 

cmshoot

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AR. Heavy barrel non chrome lined.

Give a good cleaning before you fire for the first time. No telling what kinda trash is in the barrel from manufacturing, test-firing, storage and shipping.

1. Fire 1 round and clean for the first 5 rounds.

2. Fire 5 and clean for the next 20-25rds.

3. Fire 20rds and inspect. If it is fouling up, clean it, then clean it every 20 for the next 100rds. If it isn't fouling up, you're done with any special break-in steps.

I recommend Montana X-treme Copper Killer as a bore cleaner. Quickest copper remover I've ever used, but safe on steel (unlike Sweet's 7.62 and similar cleaners.
 
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permaneo vox

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AR. Heavy barrel non chrome lined.

Looks like you should limit the amount of bimetal jacketed bullets & try to use copper jacketed as much as possible.

Dollar for dollar, it's a trade off. What you save shooting Wolf or whatever, can be used to buy a new barrel. Or you can buy more expensive ammo(Hornady)and not have worry about accelerated barrel wear.
 

Hayata

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This video pretty much covers it...

 
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