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How do you break in a new rifle?
I was going to post this in the gun forum but it doesn't allow polls for some reason. I've read a ton of stuff on breaking in a new gun and was wanting to get a feel for how the average hunter breaks in a new rifle. I want it to be asaccurate as possible but it seems to me that some of the break in procedures seem a little over the top.
I'm about to push some rounds down the barrel of my new rifle this weekend so I thought now would be a good time for a poll on the subject. I've read as strict as shooting the first 20 rounds through one at a time and stoping and cleaning after each shot and only pushing the rod down the barrel and not going back and forth, to just firing away and cleaning it after the first 50 rounds. I'm leaning toward doing a moderate break in where I shoot, open the bolt and let it breathe a minute or so, repeat, repeat, then cleaning the barrel normally after each 3 shot group. The gun I will be breaking in is a Browning A-Bolt II Stainless Stalker in 7mm Rem Mag. If you have specifics you want to share that would be great. Thanks, Nathan |
RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
I'm sure me and RidgeRunner are the only one's that voted for strict break in.
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
I always cleaned after 5or 6 shots with my rifle the accuracy would start to suffer.
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
How about cleaning the bore when you get it new, taking it to the range, firing it 10-30 times, cleaning it, and then firing it some more.
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
Throw it in the dirt!
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
Well, I went with a combination of strict and moderate break in. I cleaned it after each of the first 4 shots then used the copper stuff (some foam stuff that the gun range sold) then cleaned after then next 4 shots then used the copper stuff and then shot 3 shots, cleaned, 3 shots, cleaned, 3 shots, cleaned, 3 shots, cleaned then copper stuff again after the entire box. I was shooting the cheapest ammo they had (winchester 150 grain power points for $26.25 a box - I'll remember to buy a box before I go next time). I was somewhat disappointed in my final 2 3 shot groups but it was cheap ammo and it is a new rifle and I was at the end of a box of 20 shells. The 2nd to last was a 1.75" group that was about 3" high at 100 yards but about right left to right. Then I adjusted the scope down 2" and the last group was 2.25" and it was about 1" low and about 2" left.
I wasn't getting any blue on my patches other than the very first time so not sure if that means the barrel didn't really need broken in or what. I'm hoping that next time I can improve on those groups quite a bit next time out and get it hitting a little closer to where I want it. After the first 8 shots, pretty much all of them would have been a kill on a deer at 100 yards, but I would like to feel a LOT more confident at 100 yards and be able to push it on out to 300 yards hitting inside the black. Just thought I would give my official report! :D |
RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
STRICT BREAKIN!! Use a cleaning rod and Lapping compound after each shot....the whole idea behind breaking in a rifle barrel is to polish the lands and groves and at the same time removing any imperfections inside the barrel...
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
When you are breaking in a barrel you can not worry about groups. You have done well ,but the barrel will take closer to 50 - 100 rounds to be broken in completely.
you can work your way to cleaning after 5-7 shots if you are not getting copper fouling. If you do want to try for a better group ,after a good cleaning push clean patches thru until you see nothing on them ,then fire a fouling shot off to the side of your target then shoot three more and check you size . Good luck |
RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
I can honestly say this is the first time I've heard of it.
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
First off this should be posted in either the GUNS or FIREARMS REVIEW forums.
But, in response, I really don't know why you didn't include how far to shoot with a new barrel in your poll. I have said it before and I'm saying it again. THE MOST IMPORTANT thing to breaking in a new barrel is to NOT SHOOT TOO FAR UNTIL IT IS ADEQUATELY BROKEN IN (no matter how you choose to breal it in). Rule of thumb.......... 1st 20 shots or so - no further than 25-40 yards. Then after cleaning, next 20 shots or so - no further than 50-75 yards. Another cleaning and then the next shots - go out to like 125-150 yards. Then clean again and you're good to go. If you just go out and start shooting 200 yards, you will suffer what is called stretching. I know those who haven't done thisor heard of itmight question the logic behind it, but those who do practice it are usually firm believers. ;) |
RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
ORIGINAL: uncle matt First off this should be posted in either the GUNS or FIREARMS REVIEW forums. But, in response, I really don't know why you didn't include how far to shoot with a new barrel in your poll. I have said it before and I'm saying it again. THE MOST IMPORTANT thing to breaking in a new barrel is to NOT SHOOT TOO FAR UNTIL IT IS ADEQUATELY BROKEN IN (no matter how you choose to breal it in). Rule of thumb.......... 1st 20 shots or so - no further than 25-40 yards. Then after cleaning, next 20 shots or so - no further than 50-75 yards. Another cleaning and then the next shots - go out to like 125-150 yards. Then clean again and you're good to go. If you just go out and start shooting 200 yards, you will suffer what is called stretching. I know those who haven't done thisor heard of itmight question the logic behind it, but those who do practice it are usually firm believers. ;) Is it April 1st already? |
RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
Actually I was pretty interested in how the results from the poll were going to turn out when this was in the deer hunting forum. The rifle will primarily be used for deer hunting and it was pretty evident when it was in that forum that most hunters don't bother with a break in on new guns.Since it has been moved to the guns forum it hasn't received any additional votes for the "no break in" option.
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
I dida print screen to show that the "Post a New Poll" option is not available in the gun forum. I've been told that it does, but obviously it doesn't show up for me in this forum. I does show up in other forums because I was able to post the poll in the deer hunting forum.
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
The only thing I need to know about barrel break-in is that it's a waste of my time. I know because I've been there and done thata few times.Hunting with rifles that weren't "properly" broken in has never, ever cost me an animal in the 35+years I've been at it. YMMV.
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
I voted for the strict break-in, but usually clean after one round for the first 10, and then switch to cleaning after 3 shots for the next 15, then clean after 5 shots for the 25 and then finally clean after a string of 10 shots.
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
ORIGINAL: bawanajim If you do want to try for a better group ,after a good cleaning push clean patches thru until you see nothing on them ,then fire a fouling shot off to the side of your target then shoot three more and check you size . Good luck Thanks, Nathan |
RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
Well, it looks like the poll feature is now available in the gun forum.
Thanks, AJ52. |
RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
npaden. Don't be too discouraged about barrel break in. I just bought a browning stainless steel stalker 300wsm. and did not know anything about barrel break in. I have been wondering how to break in mine. The browning web site has the recommendation that I think I will follow. Have a look at it when you get the chance. It is in the FAQ's.
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
Thanks for the info. The coppercleaner that I used did not have ammonia. It was a foam that you sprayed down the barrel. The gun range said that it would work just as well but now I'm 2nd guessing myselft.
Here's the quote from their FAQ's: Q. What is the recommended procedure for breaking in a new barrel? A. For the first ten shots we recommend, if possible, using jacketed bullets with a nitro powder load. After firing each bullet, use a good copper cleaner (one that has ammonia) to remove copper fouling in the barrel. We do NOT recommend anything with an abrasive in it since you are trying to seal the barrel, not keep it agitated. If you look into the end of the barrel after firing a shot, you will see a light copper-colored wash in the barrel. This must be removed before firing the next shot. Somewhere in the procedure, around shot 6 or 7, it will be obvious that the copper color is no longer appearing in the barrel. Continue applications through shot 10. If you have any ammunition left, you then may shoot two rounds and clean it for the next ten shots. This is simply insurance that the burnishing process has been completed. In theory what you have just accomplished is the closing of the pores of the barrel metal which have been opened and exposed through the cutting and lapping procedures. The same process may be used with firing lead bullets and black powder to do the break-in procedure with the exception that in this case you should shoot 2 bullets before cleaning for the first 30 rounds. You could use harder lead if available. This will accelerate the break-in. This will accomplish the same thing as the jacketed bullets. After following the procedure, your barrel's interior surface will be sealed and should shoot cleaner and develop less fouling for the rest of its shooting life. |
RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
Should be fine without the ammonia. I was wondering about using it anyway. I am thinking about using this method for about 1 box of cheap shells. Then I will begin my sighting in process with some groups then a cleaning maybe, still undecided on that one. Not sure if I am a beleiver on break ins or not. Beauty gun though eh!
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RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
Yes, it is a very sweet gun.
Iwent ahead and put a limbsaver recoil pad on mine right out of the box and changed out the trigger spring for a lighter one and was very happy with those improvements. I didn't shoot it with the stock recoil pad or the stock trigger spring, but from the research I did the $50 spent on those 2 items is well worth it. |
RE: How do you break in a new rifle?
I did not do anything except scope it with a VXIII 3.5-10x40mm. This is going to be used for moose. I went with the browning after shooting my friends 338. I was sold after shooting it. It just felt really comfortable to me.
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