Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: whacker1 on April 13, 2009, 05:50:27 PM

Title: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: whacker1 on April 13, 2009, 05:50:27 PM: I have seen posts on how to break in a new gun, but I can't seem to find the posts. Anyone like to share with me procedure?

Polishing barrels?

open to suggestions
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 13, 2009, 08:31:31 PM: This little classic will tell you all you need to know... :chuckle:

[youtube=425,350]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="
hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="
hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: bobcat on April 13, 2009, 08:36:01 PM: My opinion is you need to do nothing extraordinary. Just shoot it as you would an already used rifle. When the barrel gets too warm, shoot another one and let it cool down. When it's cooled down, shoot it again until hot. When you get home, clean it, preferably with only patches and solvent.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: thinkingman on April 14, 2009, 08:34:53 AM: Clean it thoroughly BEFORE you shoot, then just shoot as normal.
I don't like to thermal shock things, so I go slow.
Don't see any benefit to elaborate break in process
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 14, 2009, 08:54:49 AM: Quote from: thinkingman on April 14, 2009, 08:34:53 AM
Don't see any benefit to elaborate break in process

Nor do I... mostly myth propogated by some arbitrary results. I've found a couple hundred passes with some JB Bore Paste smooths the bore out pretty well... kind of a poor man's lapping process. I've done it with all my new rifles... and I've yet to have one that gets real fouled up.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: jackelope on April 14, 2009, 09:52:37 AM: you had to go and post that video. the nightmares are coming back.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 14, 2009, 10:00:29 AM: Hey... it's nice to know Alaskan Tree Gnomes have the same opportunities we do... good for that little guy. I know how most of you feel about ol'Stick... but love him or hate him... he's good entertainment.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: jackelope on April 14, 2009, 10:12:02 AM: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:

he lasted about 10 minutes on here before he was nukified.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 14, 2009, 10:18:44 AM: Yeah... but he got in like 350 posts... those little fingers where flyin!!
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: RailRob on April 14, 2009, 10:24:20 AM: Quote from: JoshT on April 13, 2009, 08:31:31 PM
This little classic will tell you all you need to know... :chuckle:

[youtube=425,350]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="
hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="
hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

WTF what am I missing? thats a joke right? thats retarded
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 14, 2009, 12:28:08 PM: A Joke? NO

Satire? Assuredly

Retarded? Not sure... but no one will argue (even him) that he's a little off plumb

Kimber Montana 7mm WSM: $1000
Leupold M8 6x: $300
Leupold Custom Shop Turrets: $125
Talley Lightweight Mounts: $30
Classic piece of 'Stickology? Priceless

If you don't know about the 'BS'... just ask one of the moderators... he's their bestest friend!
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: washelkhntr on April 14, 2009, 12:44:38 PM: I don't care who you are. I am not throwing a gun on the ground on purpose, let alone three or four times.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: mossback91 on April 14, 2009, 12:47:55 PM: Big_Stick!!!! MY homie!!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 14, 2009, 12:48:08 PM: First thing I do when I get a new rifle is take it in the back yard and drop it in the dirt... that way I get it over with. Rifles are tools... I don't abuse them... but they ain't getting the velvet gloves either.

Anyone want to buy a rifle... it's in "mint" condition... I promise :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: jackelope on April 14, 2009, 12:53:10 PM: he has/had a web forum. it might be worth it to post a link to it if you have it.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: mossback91 on April 14, 2009, 01:03:30 PM: Dont forget to break in your scope..........

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hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="
hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: whacker1 on April 14, 2009, 04:49:40 PM: Wow, I can't say that I have tried that with any of my guns. I can hit the target like that, but don't have the gonads to throw on the ground. I can say that it happens enough while I am in the woods though. Typically my ass lands on it though - helps cushion the blow to my ass.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 14, 2009, 07:30:42 PM: Quote from: whacker1 on April 14, 2009, 04:49:40 PM
I can hit the target like that, but don't have the gonads to throw on the ground.

If you can pound on steel at 700 yards with 6x glass... I don't reckon you need any help figuring out what to do with a rifle barrel.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: whacker1 on April 14, 2009, 07:50:28 PM: 270 shoots good, but never had a need to break in a new gun. I have this new .300 RUM that has never been shot..... Wanted to make sure that it was treated right.

Now that I know that I need to bounce it off of a rock landing, I will look for a nice spot to bounce it off the ground...
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 14, 2009, 08:55:52 PM: Gravel drive way should do just fine.

Take it easy on the .300 RUM, especially for the first couple of rounds... I noticed mine tends to heat up really fast, and it's got the big Sendero pipe. I guess that's what happens when you touch off 90-100 grains of powder in a .30 caliber hole. Try the bore paste lapping... it's seriously the best method I've found for 'breaking in'... my .300 RUM fouls very little... but it took about 1000 strokes before I could feel it smoothing up.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: G.R.K on April 14, 2009, 10:21:26 PM: Quote from: jackelope on April 14, 2009, 12:53:10 PM
he has/had a web forum. it might be worth it to post a link to it if you have it.

Here's a link to Stumpy World. :)
http://asrealasitgets.net/forums/ubbthreads.php/forum_summary.html
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: mossback91 on April 14, 2009, 10:55:54 PM: I like stick....Hope he shows up
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: Huntbear on April 15, 2009, 01:41:36 AM: The proper way to break in a new gun/barrel is as follows.

Clean thoroughly.
Shoot 3 rounds, Clean with a good bore solvent.
Shoot 3 rounds, Clean
Shoot 5 rounds, Clean
Shoot 5 rounds, Clean
Shoot 5 rounds, Clean
Shoot 10 rounds, Clean

Continue till you get to anywhere from 80 - 100 rounds. Waiting between shots to not overheat your barrel.

This at least was the procedure recommended by Douglas for their barrels, when I contacted them about 10 years ago.

I also know guys that handload cast lead bullets and coat them with lapping compound, to help take any burrs or rough spots out of a barrel.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 15, 2009, 06:56:29 AM: Quote from: Huntbear on April 15, 2009, 01:41:36 AM
The proper way to break in a new gun/barrel is as follows.

Clean thoroughly.
Shoot 3 rounds, Clean with a good bore solvent.
Shoot 3 rounds, Clean
Shoot 5 rounds, Clean
Shoot 5 rounds, Clean
Shoot 5 rounds, Clean
Shoot 10 rounds, Clean

Continue till you get to anywhere from 80 - 100 rounds. Waiting between shots to not overheat your barrel.

This at least was the procedure recommended by Douglas for their barrels, when I contacted them about 10 years ago.

I also know guys that handload cast lead bullets and coat them with lapping compound, to help take any burrs or rough spots out of a barrel.

I think it's a bit un-nearving that a $300 barrel should require all that work just to make it shootable. I got my Liljas... shot a couple rounds through them... cleaned them once to see what I should expect... then treated them normal. But I guess I messed them up... sub 1/2" accuracy is all I get out of my sporter barrels... damn, I should have spent the extra 3 days at the range and $100 in components to do it right!

I think factory barrels can benefit from a little 'break in'... but like I said earlier... I've found JB does a much better job of this than a few bullets down the pipe.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: jackelope on April 15, 2009, 07:55:48 AM: Quote from: mossback91 on April 14, 2009, 10:55:54 PM
I like stick....Hope he shows up

he was here, signed up and started posting, and within a couple hours or so was banned for life.

that was quick, thankfully.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 15, 2009, 08:01:42 AM: That's 'stickscrimination man....
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: jackelope on April 15, 2009, 08:07:06 AM: i didn't do it.

wait, maybe i did. i don't know.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 15, 2009, 08:08:23 AM: Always trying to keep the little people down... ;)
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: mossback91 on April 15, 2009, 08:49:09 AM: I remeber when stick showed up last time :)

He must have a dictionary net to his computer cause I never knew such a little man could know such big words :chuckle:
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 15, 2009, 08:51:03 AM: Vertical endowment is not a barometer for vocabularical aptitude, as per the usuall... par for the course.

Yeah... you like that? I got his technical writting handbook from the web site.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: Huntbear on April 15, 2009, 12:23:21 PM: Quote from: JoshT on April 15, 2009, 06:56:29 AM
Quote from: Huntbear on April 15, 2009, 01:41:36 AM
The proper way to break in a new gun/barrel is as follows.

Clean thoroughly.
Shoot 3 rounds, Clean with a good bore solvent.
Shoot 3 rounds, Clean
Shoot 5 rounds, Clean
Shoot 5 rounds, Clean
Shoot 5 rounds, Clean
Shoot 10 rounds, Clean

Continue till you get to anywhere from 80 - 100 rounds. Waiting between shots to not overheat your barrel.

This at least was the procedure recommended by Douglas for their barrels, when I contacted them about 10 years ago.

I also know guys that handload cast lead bullets and coat them with lapping compound, to help take any burrs or rough spots out of a barrel.

I think it's a bit un-nearving that a $300 barrel should require all that work just to make it shootable. I got my Liljas... shot a couple rounds through them... cleaned them once to see what I should expect... then treated them normal. But I guess I messed them up... sub 1/2" accuracy is all I get out of my sporter barrels... damn, I should have spent the extra 3 days at the range and $100 in components to do it right!

I think factory barrels can benefit from a little 'break in'... but like I said earlier... I've found JB does a much better job of this than a few bullets down the pipe.

Glad it works for you, but I think the question was asked how to PROPERLY break in a new barrel/gun. That is the proper way. But I guess a gunsmith does not know what he is talking about, nor does Douglas Barrels. :twocents:
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: JoshT on April 15, 2009, 01:11:40 PM: If it's 'proper'... how come all the manufacturers have a different process... or none all together?
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: GigPig on April 15, 2009, 01:59:23 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: whacker1 on April 15, 2009, 02:13:09 PM: Huntbear - what is considered a good bore solvent?

Thank you all for the information. - I am leaning toward a break-in process, just because I would like to error on the side of too much effort.

I do agree with JoshT - how come all the manufacturers have a different process... or none all together?

This observation is why I asked the question on this site - just to get an idea of what other people are doing in practice.
Title: Re: Breaking in a new gun
Post by: TheHunt on April 15, 2009, 06:00:01 PM: If you look up the different barrel manufactures on line they will go through a process for barrel break in. I personally use shoot once and clean for ten times.
Then shoot 3 like was stated above. Every time waiting for the barrel to cool down.

All shoot sub MOA but that is my opinion...