Breaking in a new gun

[PA BEN]

I just bought a Ruger M77 7mm. I was told to shoot in the barrel. Is this true? And if so whats the process.

[Bigshooter]

I always go one shot then clean the barrel.  And I only use a brush not the wire brush, the plastic brushes.  Can't think of what there called.  And I only use hoppes #9.  I do this for the first 20 shots.  Then really clean the barrel then another 20 one at a time.  I do this for the first 100 shots.

[Bscman]

Barrel break in will vary by who you ask.

Some tell you to polish/lap the bore first, as it will remove burs.

Others say just shoot it, and it'll be fine.

Others say clean thoroughly after every shot, for the first box or two.

Some say just run a bore snake down the bore (dry) after every shot for the first box.

Others have a regime like clean after each of the first 5 shots...then every other shot for 10 more shots...then once every five shots until you've gone through at least 2 boxes.

Who really knows whats right!?!?!?

The point is to remove any microscopic burrs left from the rifling process. If you let lead/copper/powder build up in the pores and around the burrs, it'll take longer for the barrel to break in.

 

[PA BEN]

That's good info. I have a Winchester mod. 70 youth ranger in 7mm-08 for the kids. I did not know about breaking in the barrel. The gun aways shot good, but once in awhile it would shoot off. Had the gun for 10 years and only shot it at the beginning of deer season. Last year it was a tack driver. Same amo, same scope. I took my deer in the head at 225 yards and my second doe tag at 150 yards in the head also.

[PA BEN]

Just found this Forum about barrel break in. http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/Barrel_Break In.asp

[GoldTip]

I've had probably 10 new long guns in the past 5-6 years, everything from 17hmr to 325wsm in calibers.  Some I've followed the break in routine, and some I haven't.  I can't find any appreciable difference in the way any of the guns shoot to be honest.  My 325wsm I shot one shot, and cleaned with nylon brush and Hoppes #9 for 20 rounds and then would clean every 5 shots for another 40 rounds.  It will group right around an inch with 220gr factory loads when I'm having a good day.   My 300win mag I'm not sure I even cleaned it until I had close to 40 shots through it.  It will group right around an inch with hand loads when I'm having a good day.  My belief is that if your looking for super duper sub 1" groups, maybe it makes a difference how you break in a barrel.  If your looking for very good HUNTING accuracy, probably will never know a difference.

[MountainWalk]

i agree with gold tip.

[runningboard]

i agree with gold tip.

Me too. but I do still follow the break-in procedure since it gives me reason to shoot and test the gun for accuracy while getting me familiar with gun. I shoot one, clean for the first 20, shoot three, clean for the next 30, shoot five, clean for the next 50. all the while testing for the right recipe as far as loads go since I do roll my own.

[PA BEN]

Ok, when I clean my gun, do I keep cleaning until all blue is off my cleaning patch? I heard where a little copper helps in aceracy?

[jeepasaurusrex]

I was watching a show on the MAN channel (608 on directv) and they said some guns prefer a dirty bore over a clean one for accuracy. They said to shoot a cold barrel shot with the bore clean. Note the accuracy. Let the barrel cool, fire a few more rounds to fowl the barrel and see if the accuracy improves.

Gonna have to try that on my next trip to the range.

[brush hunter]

First off I clean the bore. ( I have no idea what the factory has used for oil or how much) Personaly I think it's stupid to take a firearm out of the box and start shooting without cleaning. Than I bore lap, I've done it for years, I wouldn't swear by it, I just feel better doing it. As far as cleaning till the patch is clean, I say yes do it. That's just my advice, it's free.

[runningboard]

some guns prefer a dirty bore over a clean one for accuracy.

I know we're talking centerfire cartridges here but most blackpowder muzzle-loaders prefer a "fouling shot." which happens to be the title of big-time blackpowder fanatic Sam Fadala's book.
I am gonna test this out with my wife's 7MM-08 which I just loaded some rounds for and my own 270 which I just had rebarreled.