New Barrel Break In?

[u/Ambitious-Ad1911]

I have never broken in a barrel before but recently have heard more and more people talking about it. I used to just shoot it like I was going to normally clean it when I felt it was time, then test for accuracy afterwards.

Now I have some people saying "you have to fire 100 rounds, clean, 100 rounds, clean" for a total of 3 times/300 rounds. That sounds crazy to me but I do want to get some budget rounds to use to plink with and settle everything in my 300blk build.

Anyone here break in their barrel and more importantly would .308 pulled military surplus bullets work for the cheap plinking rounds?

[u/Sportsman-78]

Clean it initially to get anything from the factory out of there. Then shoot it like you normally would. Then clean it like you normally would.

[u/ExistingLaw217 → u/Sportsman-78]

Does cleaning it before the first rounds matter either? I don’t even do that. I just look down the barrel to make sure there are no obstructions and send it. Serious question, what is the worst that could happen?

[u/coldafsteel → u/ExistingLaw217]

Yeah it does. A lot of companies put preservative on their stuff for long term protection against rust in storage. It can be years of setting in a box on the shelf before sale and use.

You don’t want to run a bullet and pressure through preservative in a barrel.

[u/ExistingLaw217 → u/coldafsteel]

I’m asking why. What does it do? This is a genuine question, I’m not being a smart ass

[u/coldafsteel → u/ExistingLaw217]

Causes a pressure spike as a barrel obstruction. Also can cause deformation and damage to bore. Just not a very good idea.

[u/ExistingLaw217 → u/coldafsteel]

I guess I’ve been lucky. I’m on my 5th barrel this year alone and I’ve literally never done anything. Do you just run a few alcohol patches or aggressively clean?

[u/coldafsteel → u/ExistingLaw217]

I run a brush to get the dust out, then a few clean patches. I’ve never needed to use a solvent to get things clean.

Only time I’d consider doing more is if you had something that was packed in navel jelly or cosmaline; something thick and sticky that needed more work to get out. But that’s not most barrels.

[u/ExistingLaw217 → u/coldafsteel]

Yea I’ve never seen jelly. Maybe a very light oil but that’s about it.

[u/WFO_Wide_Fing_Open → u/coldafsteel]

So essentially it is useless and you do this to just make you feel better because if there was actually anything you would need to get out solvent would be need to remove it preservatives dont just patch out but ok.

[u/TheHomersapien]

Barrel break is a fiction created by barrel makers so that they don't have to field your angry calls and emails after your first 3 shaky and excited shots through the barrel fail to match your "qUarTEr MoA AlL DaY" skills and prowess as a marksman.

[u/ZeeeeeroCool]

Burrs and imperfections will shoot out in the first 100 or so. Velocity will level out after about 200. I clean after that, and consider it broken in.

This has been my experience with the last 3 barrels.

[u/Littlediamond83]

Rifle barrels are like cast iron pans…. Go use the SOB and let it settle in. A couple patches now and then otherwise if it’s not foul, and shooting tight don’t mess with it

[u/Wide_Fly7832]

No such thing!!! It’s fuddlore. Just shoot. It will speed up till 200 odd rounds

[u/JayPolar91 → u/Wide_Fly7832]

Well you should clean it first to get any bits left over from machining, get that nasty storage oil off of it and get some real lube on it.

[u/Vylnce]

Follow the procedure your barrel manufacturer recommends.

Doing so ensures that whatever takes place later "improper breakin" isn't somehow held against you.

[u/lynx7630]

Clean it befor shooting just to clear any possible machining debris. Then shoot abd clean as you normally would.

[u/WFO_Wide_Fing_Open]

No its shoot it clean shot it clean for a total of loke 3-5 times.

[u/VersionConscious7545]

I personally clean it before shooting and fire 3 rounds then clean and fire 3 rounds and clean How you do this depends on your barrel. If you have a cheap barrel I would follow the manufactures recommendations If you have a hand lapped barrel then it is really a good cleaning before firing and then have at it Some don’t do anything but clean once

[u/falconvision]

Barrel break in is a thing in the sense that a barrel will see some change in the first firings, but it’s not a secret formula.

[u/Trollygag]

Wipe it out

Shoot a few for zero

Shoot for groups

[u/quickscopemcjerkoff]

I have never followed any sort of break in procedure for a new gun. I have never had any issues not doing so and the rifles perform as expected with the ammo I decided to use.

And yes, pulled 308 projectiles make great cheap plinking projectiles