Breaking a barrel in?????

[jake smith09]

I have a .223 and they say to break a barrel in.( shoot 20 times and clean after every shot) Is that neccessary? I didnt do it but i did only shoot a couple shots and stop for a while and repeat!!! is that a good or way or not or does it not really matter if you do it much or not??? Thanks so much for any input!

[metaldonnieg]

i personally don't mess with any of that. partly because i was ignorant of it the last time i purchased a gun.

check this topic:

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1885469

[Crittergiter]

Breaking in a barrel properly is the only way to insure consistant lasting accuracy out of a gun.

It is an absolute must for any rifle! (period)

The most important factor in the breaking in process is to not let the barrel get to hot but to run a boresnake down without solvent after every shot for the first 20 and then after five and then after ten. Then when it's cooled give it a good cleaning making sure to remove all copper and lead deposits.

There are other processes but this is what works for me.

[jake smith09]

What about the way that i did it? I shot a couple let it cool shot a couple let it cool etc. I cleaned it after a few times of doing that... is this ok to do? Thanks

[Crittergiter]

This is probably the best answer I found

http://www.larrywillis.com/Barrel.html

[rankbull]

This is what I talked about earlier, this forum is full of so many helpful and knowledgeable people. I am buying a new rifle soon and never heard about breaking in a barrel. Now I know and now I can help keep my guns in bettor shape. Thank you to all of you who post quality material.

[ipscshooter]

That's a really interesting article. I'd never heard of this procedure before. But, seems to me that even if you don't follow the "break-in" procedure, you aren't actually damaging anythingand will regain any lost accuracy IF you use a good copper solvent and get the barrel good and clean. Isn't that what the article is saying? That the break-in procedure is a method to reduce or minimize copper fouling?

[Predator26]

I don't believe in breaking in the barrel, if the owner's manual doesn't suggest it, or even bring it up for that matter, than it must be unnecessary and or worthless.

*EDIT* After a quick Google search I came across this: http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html

Just a little something to back up my previous statement.

[Ridge Runner]

unless you have a hand lapped custom barrel break-in is a waste of time
RR

[metaldonnieg]

ORIGINAL: Predator26

if the owner's manual doesn't suggest it, or even bring it up for that matter, than it must be unnecessary and or worthless.

This is probably why I'd never done it or heard of it until I started coming to these forums.