breaking in a new rifle

[Jamieb]

I did the clean between shots for the fist 10, then between 3 shot groups and so on with new rifles. I did this over the courses of a few years then decided to try no beak in on a new rem 700 in .338. That gun shot as well and cleaned up as easy as the properly broke in rifles. I dont do any break in any more and think break in on factory bbl's is a waist of time. Anymore I just shoot until accuracy goes south then clean, some of my rifles that means close to 1000 round between cleaning.

[ICEMAN]

Lets go to the range and shoot for pinks. My rifle against yours. I'll bet you go home with one less rifle.

Anytime.  1000m range good for you?

Excellent, now this is what I am talking about. Put your money where your mouth is!

Where do you guys live?

Where will you do this?

When are you guys going?

Plus, what rifle will you be using?

What range/distance do you both agree on?

Can we have a few members tag along to mediate and keep things civil and report back to the rest of us?



Personally, I am impressed with both of you for sticking up for what you believe!

[Fishpimp]

thank you all for your input. so i feel the general consensus is that i should probably have done a "break in" but since i didn't i probably didn't hurt anything either.  i feel a little bit better.

thanks againg everyone 

[docsven]

There was an article I read a few years ago about how to re-condition the barrel of an older rifle.  The writer made it sound the same principle as some old timers talk about seasoning their dutch oven.  I can't remember if it was F&S or G&A, but the idea is that if you scrub out the barrel and re-break it in using the clean between shots methods, you can improve accuracy by filling in and seasoning micro-pits in the lands.  Never tried it so I don't know if there is anything to it.

[Ghost1941]

Lets go to the range and shoot for pinks. My rifle against yours. I'll bet you go home with one less rifle.

Anytime.  1000m range good for you?

Excellent, now this is what I am talking about. Put your money where your mouth is!

Where do you guys live?
Fort Lewis

Where will you do this?
Well, depends on the distance he wants to shoot at... Theres a 100-200m range right here.

When are you guys going?
Give me 2 months, I'm taking a vacation.

Plus, what rifle will you be using?
700 PSS .300wm with a few bell's and whistles.

What range/distance do you both agree on?
Hehe...

Can we have a few members tag along to mediate and keep things civil and report back to the rest of us?
Fine with me.


Personally, I am impressed with both of you for sticking up for what you believe!
I know I can shoot, and I maintain my weapons.  If he can shoot just as good or better more power to him, then I still have the upper hand considering he uses factory ammunition and doesn't clean his weapon.  I stand firm to what I believe in.

Now after, utterly stealing this thread and making it a my dick is bigger than your dick.  You got the general consensus Fish, your rifle is fine.  Clean it when you shoot but if you're just shooting for the practice to take it to the field, don't worry about harming it.

[Fitz]

Impressive passion here.  I'm all over the map on this topic.  I go to extreems in the very beginning with the following before I ever shoot a new rifle:

- clean and de-grease barrel (normal bore cleaner then bore scrubber or brake cleaner)
- I then pour a lot of boiling hot water down the tube to try and remove as much oil and machining debris as possible (not sure where I read this)
- I then run a jag and patch through the barrel from the chamber end (20 strokes per patch times 10 patches) with Rem bore cleaner with half the liquid poured off...this is supposed to polish the barrel
- clean throughly until patches come out clean and then a lightly oiled patch

Then the range work begins but not quite as much as others do:
- clean after every shot for the first 10 shots
- clean every 2 shots for 10 shots (5 cleanings)
- clean every 3 shots for 15 shots (5 cleanings)
- clean after 5 shots for 20 shots (4 cleanings)
- and after all this typically after every 20 or so shots

I sight in the scope while doing all the above and ALWAYS fire one "foul shot" after the last cleaning as my first shot after cleaning always seems to be a bit off.  I try not to clean much durring the hunting season due to this "foul shot" theory.

With all that said, I can't honestly say my barrels are better than yours or that it helps much but it does instill confidence for me.  I also shoot much better at the range than I do in real hunting conditions  so you'll not see me challenging anyone here for a match on the bench or in the field    So if/when I miss a shot in the field I ALWAYS assume it is my fault and not my gear.

[h2ofowlr]

I do a lot of competition shooting and typically have not had to clean after the first or second shot on a new barrel.  I would run a half box of shells through the rifle, then run a patch through it.  I typically clean the barrel after each use.  Some of the old timers that shoot the CMP matches clean more frequently depending on what powder and bullets they are using.  Good thing is that most powders aren't as corrosive as they used to be, so you probably won't get the pitting in the barrel.  You will get diminished accuracy if don't get the fowling out of the rifling and bore.  If your goal is to just hit a pie plate at 50-100 yards then it's your call.
I personally like those groups that are under a dime at 100-200 yards.  Keep that bore clean and the 10x's will come.

[norsepeak]

I've got a lot of $$$ tied up in my customs and the barrel mfg's say to break them in a certain way for the longevity of the barrel and for ultimate accuracy.  So if the mfg. says do it, I do it and have way better downrange accuracy with my customs than my factory stuff.  Not cleaning for 3 years....ouch!  I shoot my rifles too much for that, I clean after every outing and during the outings if we're shootin milk jugs full of water at 1130yrds for beers!  I'd like to get in on the 1000m action too!

[HawkenBob]

Lets go to the range and shoot for pinks. My rifle against yours. I'll bet you go home with one less rifle.

Anytime.  1000m range good for you?

Excellent, now this is what I am talking about. Put your money where your mouth is!

Where do you guys live?

Where will you do this?

When are you guys going?

Plus, what rifle will you be using?

What range/distance do you both agree on?

Can we have a few members tag along to mediate and keep things civil and report back to the rest of us?



Personally, I am impressed with both of you for sticking up for what you believe!

It'll be like PINKS, but with guns!

[Ghost1941]

That's nice norse, what is that?  Remmy 700 in what?  .308?

[norsepeak]

.270 Allen Mag. 30" SS fluted, floated, bedded, Teflon coated, re-cut bolt face, re-cut threads, holland recoil lug, trigger, laminate A-5 Russo stock, Leuppy VX-III 50mm, 30mm tube,4.5-14, shooting 169.5 grn. wildcats @ 3300fps.  TACK DRIVER @ LONGRANGE!  fun gun too!

[PolarBear]

[/quote]
Lets go to the range and shoot for pinks. My rifle against yours. I'll bet you go home with one less rifle.
[/quote]

I'll take you up on that!  I will put any of my rifles against yours (you pick) and if you win, you pick any 2 that you want.  And none of this 100-300 yard crap, it has to be 500+.

[Ghost1941]

Hehe, looks like this guy might be needing to buy a few more rifles >.<