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NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

FALex

Headmaster of Romper Room
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 5, 2011
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Hello there folks. I am completely new to this site (as far as postings go). I am not a sniper, nor have I ever been in the military, but I have shadowed this site for a very long time just learning about guns- bolt guns in particular, and long range shooting. I have the utmost respect for all of those folks too, but I really enjoy shooting, and this site has been the best with quality info in my research!

I recently purchased a Savage 10FCP-K. I would like to know your opinions regarding barrel break-in. Is it a myth? Or is it something some manufacturers recommend while others don't? Does anyone on this forum break their barrels in? I am just curious if this is a common procedure with a new rifle? Thank you all for your opinions! BTW- please pardon my ignorance as I go down this road of long range shooting. I'm probably going to be asking more inane questions in the future. Thank you all again.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

There are schools of thought that go both ways as far as barrel break ins. It's like Chevy vs Ford. The only thing I'll say is that you can't go wrong following the manufactures instructions for your particular rifle.

Here is another video by a member here (LonewolfUSMC)

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Try the search engine (the Google one) as this topic has been covered in depth before.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

I friggin' love that video!

To the OP and on a serious note, barrel break in procedures are largely useless. It's a matter of personal preference, but most here have come to the conclusion that they're pointless. Here's a thread you can read if you're interested in seeing the data they used to reach their conclusions.

My line of thinking is if you sit down to break in a barrel and your first five shots go into a half MOA group, why continue breaking it in? It seems pretty good already.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

I have tried many methods, all are useless. From shot #1 I start on load development. I shoot a few, then when I change (bullet, powder, primer, whatever), I clean the bore with a wet patch, dry patch until dry. That is it.

Once I am done for the day, I run a wet patch x2 or 3 times, then let it set for 10 mins, then dry patch it till dry. Run a patch with a light oil if it is going to sit in the safe for an extended time.

When I head to the range, I run a dry patch to clean up any excess oil in the chamber and down the barrel. I have a bunch of brushes that just sit. I do have one nylon bristle brush, but I use it with a patch or two loosely wrapped to help clean the barrel extension on my AR's. I have no discernable loss of accuracy with this process.

If I do lose accuracy, I run a couple wet patches with some nitro solvent, let it set for 15 mins (not the ammonia stuff, just nitro solvent from Hoppes works for me). Dry patch till dry, then light oil and a quick swab before I shoot at the range.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

Definate split in opinion about breaking in barrels. I always have done as I have came from a benchrest type background so would all my guns have shot as well without the break in? I dont know. 1 thing I do know, no point arguing about it, if you wanna break in go do the shoot 1 clean 1 routine and good luck to you, if you dont wanna break in, DONT, and good luck to you as well. Too much bitchin and bullshit about this subject already on forum.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

I'm really not a fan of taking the path of least resistance. If you're going to do something at all, it's worth doing right IMO.

Having said that, after reading an enormous amount of info here at the Hide regarding barrel break-in, I decided to just shoot the last two, and not worry about it. End result - they shoot just fine. Because the barrel break-in procedure I had been following previously was such a pain in the ass, I'm now very happy to take the path of least resistance regarding barrel break-in (LOL).
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

Its fucking worthless and a waste of time. People will tell you that if you break in your barrel it'll be easier to clean and more accurate.

Both are lies. A lot of rifles that I've shot in my life get easier to clean as they are shot more. So you could just go out and shoot the gun and clean it when needed, or you could do what I did and break the barrel in and waste a ton of time. (I'm slow but I do learn from my mistakes.)

More accurate, well this is a lie so that the people that do this procedure can make themselves feel better for wasting so much time and effort. Come to think of it, my rifles are always more accurate when I spend the time to break in the barrel.
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just my two cents......

 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Barrel break in means putting rounds down range</div></div>

+1


The only thing I can argue about barrel break in is to keep it clean from copper. While a bullet passes through a barrel it rubs out barrel imperfections now to keep letting the bullet take out imperfections you have to once in a while clean out the copper. other than that I think your good to go.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

You should go to snipers hide gunsmithing section and read the second thread from the top of the page called Objective research on barrel break in procedures.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

Here's a thread you can read if you're interested in seeing the data they used to reach their conclusions.

Good reading...I bet I have heard at least 4 different ways to break one in with none ever really knowing what it actually did. Thanks for the thread...gonna save me time and money.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

Well, those answers about sum up what I've been reading...it's pretty much useless. Thanks all.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

I believe in breaking in barrels. I did'nt break in my first precision weapon it would'nt group at all. Took a loss and sold it bought another and broke the barrel in. It shoots 1/4moa if I do my part. Why not be sure and do it since popular opinion is spli. Better safe than sorry
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

I have a benchmark barrel on one of my savages that i never broke in and it has shot 5 shot groups at 100 yds as small as .087 moa. Didn't clean it until groups opened up over a half minute. It did great at 600 as well. The one barrel I have that was "properly broke-in" won't come close to my others. Not saying that the barrel was damaged during the process,but it obviously didn't help
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lovain1932</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe in breaking in barrels. I did'nt break in my first precision weapon it would'nt group at all. Took a loss and sold it bought another and broke the barrel in. It shoots 1/4moa if I do my part. Why not be sure and do it since popular opinion is spli. Better safe than sorry</div></div>
Ever think you got a dud rifle?
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Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

Theres more crappy accuracy than just no "break in" procedure...

- bad crowning
- stock touches barrel
- bad shooting form
- bad trigger work
- ammo combo not the greatest
- scope mounts/rings are moving
- scope is a heap of shit

Before I blame break in I would look at those first.
 
Re: NOOB INTRODUCTION AND QUESTION

OP - It's your money that bought it, it's your gun...do what you think is best.

You'll never get concensus on this issue here
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I remember a post from Frank some time back when someone posted a similar question. He did an AB test (I think on a pair of identical TRG's?). One was "broken in", the other just shot straight from new. If I recall correctly, I think he said there was pretty close to bugger all difference after several thousand rounds down each......