Barrel Break in DO or DONT

[blackrifle242]

So I was wondering who and who does not break in their barrels. I have been pondering this question for some time. I just read an article in American Rifleman on this subject and the field editor doesn't seem to think that its necessary. How about handguns or AR's. Let me know so I can make an educated decision before I take my virgin Rem 700 SPS out this weekend. Wow, I just realized that I have another virgin gong out with me. A Kimber Custom II. Two virgins in one day. Lucky man.

[sspen003]

I have never broken in a barrel.. never had a problem

[thegrayham]

I'm a shoot like you stole it kinda guy. Don't believe that the traditional shoot one, clean, shoot two, clean etc. doesn't do anything other than shorten your brand new barrels little life.

[NSR500]

None of my firearms have been through a barrel break in period. However, when I get around to a precision rig I will consider it.

[Stockton]

You'll get contributions to your questions in your thread but if you did a search you also find more.

To answer your question though, IMO, if you were to do it I think your copper fouling on that factory barrel(SPS) will be minimized.

[cfm117]

I break-in mine. I just did my 20" DPMS DCM stainless on Saturday. What you are shooting out is all the tiny burs in the rifling from the machining process. I shoot 1 and put down copper remover patch, 1 Hoppies, then dry. Rinse and repeat 10x. Then I do 2 groups of 5 and clean. Then a group of 10 and clean. You should have hardly any copper residue
at this point as there should be no drag in the barrel grabbing on the copperjacket.

I suppose it won't hurt it. I'm a match shooter so there's alot of voodoo going on anyway, just like baseball. I do it for peace of mind at the minimum

[blackrifle242]

The thought of having to fire one and then clean fire two then clean makes my head spin. Of course I want a setup that is going to function as advertised. I am planning on changing out the barrel when I get the action trued this Christmas. So I guess I answered my question. I'm just going to blow through it and hopefully it will melt so than my wife can't say no to a few upgrades. I just need a self cleaning gun.

[DiscoBayJoe]

This Video Sums it up nicely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRRahHX9Zkg

[justin_5585]

Well, I've only bought two brand new, unused barrels. One was my 14.5" inch CMMG, that saw no break in other than 80 XM193's. The other is an 870, and given I just picked it up, it's going to see some birdshot target practice and a few slugs this weekend. As for the others I own, I have no clue if the owners did or did not break them in, nor have I ever noticied less accuracy from them than anyone elses versions of the same gun.

[O8SERVER]

Personally I think the whole thing is nonsense , but I'm sorta OCD so I'll probably break in my AR when I finish it just to be safe.

[5ohguy]

Shoot the thing, enjoy it, and practice your technique. If I owned a 3k dollar rifle I might worry about break in, but even then with a barrel life of 1k rounds, spending 100 on break in just doesn't seem right.

[i1800collect]

http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html

good article about breaking-in a barrel.

[Peter W Bush]

This Video Sums it up nicely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRRahHX9Zkg

ahahahahah that was great!

[Sicarius]

Chrome lined barrels I don't bother at all. For non chrome lined I lightly swab them every few rounds for the first 20 or so, more for my own inspection and maybe let it cool a tad before I let 'er rip.
Kevin

[Henry Shooter]

I do have to agree with the guy that a rifles durability and toughness are key to owning any gun. These pretty guns out there that shoot well on the bench and never make it in the field are a sight to see, but are you not doing the gun an injustice by not carrying it in the field.
I'm not saying take your BABY out and throw it or bang it around. But the guy does have a point.
Do what you feel is best. I do actually break in my barrels by the Midway method. Thats why I havent shot the AR I've had for 4 months now, because of the amount of time it takes, and the lack of time I have..... Hopefully when I get back from my Montana hunt and then the company work run overseas that are scheduled for November December I can get out there and get er done.