RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

I think everyone's got to experiment and find out what he likes and what works for them. That's why I tried it for a while myself. I think my aversion to it now, besides not seeing any great benefit, is because my whole level of enthusiasm for hunting and shooting has changed over the last few years. I'm just not into it like I used to be and break-in is something I just don't want to do any more. Heck, I haven't reloaded a shell in months, nor have I cleaned my rifles since deer season ended over a month ago. Hope this is just a phase I'm going through.

When it comes to Sakos, I think one of the reasons I like em' so much is because they don't require any appreciable amount of tinkering. They're just good from the get-go. I don't mind paying for that.

Anyway, I'm outa here after today for about a week. Gonna do a little skiing in Utah. Y'all hold the fort down.

RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

Oh, no, you had another child didn't ya.

RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

No new child, at least none that I'm aware of. Just growing older I guess. Turned 45 this past weekend.

RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

Thats a phase I have gone thru on and off for the past 30 years or so, it comes and goes. I have really started getting burned out on Western Hunting big time. I am going to put that off for at least the next year and instead go to Africa for a plains game hunt and take the family with me for roughly the same amount of money. I had lots of time to myself until my Son came along and taught me time management. Your right though I avoid pretty much anything that can be problematic as well.

RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

I'm planning on going to Africa too in the next few years. My best friend went last year with the local Safari Club Int'l chapter president and he's determined to take me back with him at some point. I'm probably going to wait until my daughter's out of college, though. She's got 3 more years, which means 3 more years of forking over the money. Not sure I can do both at the same time. I think a hunting trip to Africa would do me a lot of good.

RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

I couldn't imagine life without a Sako rifle. None of mine required a breakin. My guess is your Whelen will require very little if any breakin. Shoot it five times and clean it...you'll know immediately what's going on. Just be cautious with your loads....a pump won't take the max load which are intended for bolt action rifles. You won't need anything close to max with the Whelen anyway. Enjoy your new 35....very under rated IMHO. Regards, Rick.

RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

unless you have a cryogenacly treated compition bull barell i wouldnt even worry about it. shoot!

RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

Due to weather-snow- finally got too shoot the Whelen yesterday. Cleaned the barrel after each of the first 6 rounds, and then after each of the next 3- 3 shot groups. Fired a total of 15 rounds, seemed to work o.k.

RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

bsteve, did the copper get less and less each round of cleaning? Just curious what you thought.

RE: New Barrel Breakin
 

It seemed like the first few shots showed a less copper with each round, after that the copper trace was very minor.