Proper cleaning and barrel break in

[Zeke-BE]

Ive haven't seen a legit way of barrel break in clean before. I didn't want to highjack the 6.5 creedmoor thread about his barrel break in. Ive read some people just get it and shoot. Some say you have to do shoot, clean, shoot, clean to a science. I got my custom build and just shot it. I have a .35 groupings. Is there really any proof to this theory??

[GreyGhost85]

Just shoot it. I RARELY clean my barrels with more than just a patch or two to make sure there are no obstructions. I keep the action/bolt clean. Dont let it get too hot and just shoot it. Seems like more and more people are going with the dont clean it method these days

[10Turkeys]

I've always used the shoot one clean x 5, shoot 2 clean x two, shoot three clean x 2, then shoot 5 and clean, I've used this method for years no matter a custom barrel or factory, the only thing I've noticed that they are easier to clean afterwards with less copper fouling. Just my two cents.

[mfernaz]

1 shot, clean x 5

2 shots, clean x5

 

Based on my mentor, no barrel is perfect, this method helps smooth out any tooling imperfections. Cleaning out all the carbon, powder, and copper fouling resurfaces the bare bore to help smooth. Again I'm no expert and I'm learning as I go. The sequence above is his own method, we didn't bring a bore scope to track progress after each shot. "Sometimes it takes 8 rounds other times it takes all 15 or more."

Witches brew to remove carbon, moly, and whatever else is in the bore(abrasive cleaner). Then bore techs copper remover(chemical cleaner).

 

Shoot, then clean; witches brew(30 strokes nylon or copper brush), followed by dry patches then alcohol patches (2-4), dry patches, then bore tech 3-4 wet patches, let stand for 15 minutes then run a wet bore tech patch every 15 minutes until copper removed.

[452b264]

Ive haven't seen a legit way of barrel break in clean before. I didn't want to highjack the 6.5 creedmoor thread about his barrel break in. Ive read some people just get it and shoot. Some say you have to do shoot, clean, shoot, clean to a science. I got my custom build and just shot it. I have a .35 groupings. Is there really any proof to this theory??

I follow Bartlien method to clean a barrel. They dont recommend the use of any metal brushes in the barrel and have a list of materials, and how to use them for cleaning their barrels. I shoot and clean after every shot for the first 9 rounds, then every three rounds until I reach 18 total, then I just shoot it until it fouls. I clean the action and bolt after every use.

[Big or Bust]

I've never broken in a barrel in my life and never will...

 

Just shoot it...

 

Overrated...

[L Cazador]

I've been doing this for more than 50 years! The last 25 years under the eye of a bore scope. What I learned the previous 25 years before the bore scope, forget that! Buying hundreds of custom barrels hasn't taught me anything either. What I did learn is some factory barrels can and will shoot very good. And some custom barrels can and will shoot exceptionally well! Every custom barrel can and will shoot better than any factory barrel!! Shooting any number of rounds down either barrel could and maybe will help. If you don't have a bore scope just go out and shoot it. A copper bullet down a stainless or chrome moly barrel is not going to do much to smooth anything out. Yeah maybe some pressure in the 60K range and some heat may help but the bottom line all that does is fire crack the bore. The best you can do is clean that barrel well and remove that machining fluid and metal shavings and just go shoot it.

[muledeerarea33?]

I just broke in a new one a few weeks ago. I was fire forming and had all day. I cleaned every round for the first 5 then every 3rd round til 20. I shot 50 total. After the first 20 I didn't clean. I did clean when I got home and wiped copper. Like everyone has mentioned, don't get it hot!

[Green Bullet]

from what i read online in various forums just shoot it and don't abuse it and it will last you a long time. clean it when the groups start opening up or before a prolonged preparation session (e.g. few trips to the range prior to a hunt and making sure you are still good to not have to clean it right before the hunt)

[lancetkenyon]

I have talked to several gunsmiths, and my barrel break-in process differs for factory rifles to custom barrels.

 

Custom barrels from any reputable maker (Bartlein, Rock, Shilen, Brux, Kreiger, Proof, etc.) is as follows....religiously.

 

Clean barrel prior to first round in New barrel.

1. Shoot one

2. Shoot one

3. Shoot one

4. Repeat steps 1-3.

I usually clean after my first range trip. Then not again until groups start to open up.

 

Form a factory new barrel, I usually do the normal break-in process.

1. Shoot one, clean ×5.

2. Shoot 3, clean x3

3. Shoot 10, clean x1

4. Shoot until groups start to open up.

[Red Rabbit]

I would clean it before any shooting, final clean with alcohol to remove any oils, and then apply Dyna Ultra Bore Coat (for ease of barrel cleaning in the future). Shoot it per instructions to cure the UBC, and then have fun.

 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/687809/dyna-tek-rifle-care-kit

[L Cazador]

I have talked to several gunsmiths, and my barrel break-in process differs for factory rifles to custom barrels.

 

Custom barrels from any reputable maker (Bartlein, Rock, Shilen, Brux, Kreiger, Proof, etc.) is as follows....religiously.

 

Clean barrel prior to first round in New barrel.

1. Shoot one

2. Shoot one

3. Shoot one

4. Repeat steps 1-3.

I usually clean after my first range trip. Then not again until groups start to open up.

 

Form a factory new barrel, I usually do the normal break-in process.

1. Shoot one, clean ×5.

2. Shoot 3, clean x3

3. Shoot 10, clean x1

4. Shoot until groups start to open up.

Lance, did you monitor this with a bore scope. And how much better was the barrel when you were done?

[lancetkenyon]

Nope. I figure if a barrel shoots under .3", the "break in" was a success.