Breaking in a new rifle barrel. Need to or myth?

[Badhabit]

I've got 2 new rifles and these are the only 2 new ones I've ever purchased. Growing up I was given hand me down rifles so I didn't ever think about whether or not they were broken in or not.
Now that I have a new .270 Win. and a 7 mm Weatherby I'd like to know if they really need to be broken in or not. Anyone care to share some thoughts please.

[jdb]

Some years ago I bought a brand new howa .223 and did an extensive barrel break in. When all was said and done I shot a 5 shot group that was just over .5" center to center. I later traded that rifle for a cz 527. I did no barrel break in on that rifle and it shoots just as good. . If you have the time and resources go fo it, it certainly won't hurt.

[HntnFsh]

Myth!

[KFhunter]

I do a break in, idea is to extend times between defouling cleanups.  The last remington production barrel I did never did clean up and still leaves copper, but the tikka barrel cleaned up right away and left very little copper even new.

[Bob33]

My experience is that it makes little to no difference but can't hurt.


How should I break-in my new Shilen barrel?
Break-in procedures are as diverse as cleaning techniques. Shilen, Inc. introduced a break-in procedure mostly because customers seemed to think that we should have one. By and large, we don't think breaking-in a new barrel is a big deal. All our stainless steel barrels have been hand lapped as part of their production, as well as any chrome moly barrel we install. Hand lapping a barrel polishes the interior of the barrel and eliminates sharp edges or burrs that could cause jacket deformity. This, in fact, is what you are doing when you break-in a new barrel through firing and cleaning.

Here is our standard recommendation: Clean after each shot for the first 5 shots. The remainder of the break-in is to clean every 5 shots for the next 50 shots. During this time, don't just shoot bullets down the barrel during this 50 shot procedure. This is a great time to begin load development. Zero the scope over the first 5 shots, and start shooting for accuracy with 5-shot groups for the next 50 shots. Same thing applies to fire forming cases for improved or wildcat cartridges. Just firing rounds down a barrel to form brass without any regard to their accuracy is a mistake. It is a waste of time and barrel life.

[KFhunter]

There's a big difference between a production run barrel and a custom order....apples and oranges


What I haven't done is hand lapped a production barrel (why bother right?) but I think it would be interesting

[Thehowler]

Myth.

[hunter399]

I will say it makes no difference,but I do like to shoot 20-30 rounds though a barrel ,clean,20-30 rounds,clean ,reapeat till about 60-90 rounds ,groups should tighten up by 60 rounds.

I thought it was myth intell a few ar15 barrels I had was shooting 6in groups,did the cleaning like I said above by 60 rounds groups tighten up like 1in at 100 some of my most accurate guns where done this way .does it matter no,will it hurt no.

I think what hurts new barrel the most is the crud new barrels have in them from manufacturing.

[hunter399]

Only accurate rifles are interesting,if larry potterfield says to do it ,you better do it.
 
That's the way it is.

[mountainman]

I do a break in, idea is to extend times between defouling cleanups.  The last remington production barrel I did never did clean up and still leaves copper, but the tikka barrel cleaned up right away and left very little copper even new.

Yup, some barrels Definetly are reamed better then others. But don't let some on here know what you found between Remington and Tikka, they might burst a vein😉
It Definetly is NOT a myth, especially when it comes to prevent rate of fouling, which relates to longer shot strings before cleanings..
Read responses to the contrary to follow lol!

[lord grizzly]

Does anyone really think a soft brass bullet and a nylon brush is going to hone the hardened steel over and above the hardened steel tools that were used to finish it? Think about it...

[KFhunter]

following that logic no barrel would ever get shot out

[h20hunter]

Not a myth.

[lord grizzly]

Don’t take my word for it

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

[lord grizzly]

But I’m sure most guys on here now way better than Gale