Barrel Break-in, What Difference Does it Make?

[LynnJr]

You don't break in a ford chevy or dodge engine but every NASCAR Team does.
As your accuracy level increases you change the amount of barrel cleaning you do to fit the competition you are engaged in.

[5.56Geo]

WOW! That's one ugly looking granny!!!!

[Click Boom]

Rub some dirt on it.

[NytWolf]

[Sunday]

What is there to break it in.

[Wrangler John]

It makes no difference.

It makes all the difference in the world.

Take your choice, there is no way to know or prove which is correct. It is a matter of faith.

[LynnJr]

So a borescope wouldn't show the scratches left by the pilot on the reamer?

[bsumoba]

break it in so you can make excuses to shoot the thing.

i tell myself that so i can go to the range more often and put lead down the pipe.

in my experience, break in is done in less than 10 shots. those 10 shots smooth out any burrs or imperfections from the chambering process and it also lays down some copper into the lands and grooves.

if it shoots well right off the bat, IMO, you're done...assuming good/decent ammunition.

[Wrangler John]

So a borescope wouldn't show the scratches left by the pilot on the reamer?

I deleted my answer before posting. The futility of engaging in theoretical thought experiments is like asking if Schrodinger's cat is alive or dead, even though it is thought to be both alive and dead simultaneously in an entangled superposition.

[RobertMW]

I did a break-in on my Howa because the instructions told me to Like OP said, who knows what it actually did but the rifle does shoot very well.

On many mass produced barrels a short break in period with good cleaning procedures actually can make a significant difference in accurate lifespan.

On a hand lapped first, second third and why not hand lapp it again Super Match barrel, there is nothing to do to it.

[GraveTPO]

On many mass produced barrels a short break in period with good cleaning procedures actually can make a significant difference in accurate lifespan.

Sorry, I don't buy in to this (anymore). Barrel break in is a myth plain and simple. I used to break in my barrels until I realized I was just wasting time, money and barrel life. I would advise anyone to never break in a barrel.

[bohoki]

break in procedures are all snake-oil mumbo jumbo

[CNC_Apps_Guy]

Been a machinist/metalworking guy for the last 20+ years. I have not seen an argument "for" barrel break-ins that even remotely makes metallurgical sense.

So I'll gladly wave the flag.

If you need that as an excuse to go shoot... well... you need better excuses. Just go have fun and shoot the darn thing!

[wayne74]

Anyone ever heard of Tony Boyer? He said he breaks in all of his barrels. If you don't know who he is look at the Benchrest Hall Of Fame.

Wayne

[toby]

I'm going to break in all my barrels for now on. Thanks Wayne!