308 Barrel Break in
- Thread starter softail99
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Waywatcher
Member
I recommend a good rifle care book, but in a nutshell you:
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
20 rounds
Something like that anyway, thats from memory but I would buy a book from a trusted author.
Enjoy!
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire one shot
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
clean the bore to bare metal (use powder and copper removers)
fire three shots
20 rounds
Something like that anyway, thats from memory but I would buy a book from a trusted author.
Enjoy!
NCsmitty
Member
Doesn't Savage have a manual indicating proper break in? It's probably available at their website.
NCsmitty
NCsmitty
.38 Special
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My experience is that barrel break-in is an utter waste of time. This opinion is shared by a number of people who know everything there is to know about rifles.
Other people here believe that barrel break-in is extremely important and can make or break a good rifle. This opinion is shared by a number of people who know everything there is to know about rifles.
I'd suggest use of the search function here. This will reveal more facts, fiction, and utter nonsense than any one man should be subjected to. Have fun!
Other people here believe that barrel break-in is extremely important and can make or break a good rifle. This opinion is shared by a number of people who know everything there is to know about rifles.
I'd suggest use of the search function here. This will reveal more facts, fiction, and utter nonsense than any one man should be subjected to. Have fun!
Savage Manual
Haven't picked up the Savage yet but will refer to the manual when it is delivered. I went online to look for the manual but nothing was in it refering to any break in.
The gentelman that wrote about 20 rounds whith a cleaning routine may have a point. It sure can't do any wrong I guess.
That is if you can find ammo or reloading stuff.
Haven't picked up the Savage yet but will refer to the manual when it is delivered. I went online to look for the manual but nothing was in it refering to any break in.
The gentelman that wrote about 20 rounds whith a cleaning routine may have a point. It sure can't do any wrong I guess.
That is if you can find ammo or reloading stuff.
Another line of thought is:
1 and clean
2 and clean
3 and clean
etc etc etc until 50 rounds have been fired.
I've done that, I've also got rifles I doubt I've got 10 or 20 rounds through. Realistically, once you zero it in, you are there. As you shoot the rifle it may get a bit tighter, it may not. Part of breakin is smoothing the bore of the machine marks that may be left from manufacturing.
As long as you clean the fouling from the bore after shooting, you are doing the best thing you can do. Removing the copper residue gives the next round a clean barrel to scrub.
1 and clean
2 and clean
3 and clean
etc etc etc until 50 rounds have been fired.
I've done that, I've also got rifles I doubt I've got 10 or 20 rounds through. Realistically, once you zero it in, you are there. As you shoot the rifle it may get a bit tighter, it may not. Part of breakin is smoothing the bore of the machine marks that may be left from manufacturing.
As long as you clean the fouling from the bore after shooting, you are doing the best thing you can do. Removing the copper residue gives the next round a clean barrel to scrub.
Lovesbeer99
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- Sep 27, 2006
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- 1,413
Break in is important, but it depends on the barrel. You have a method if it's stainless, blued steal, or chrome lined. Check your manual, or go to various barrel maker websites and check the FAQ's. My Bushmaster with the CL barrel stated to fire 200 rounds before cleaning. I had a GreenMountain barrel on my 10/22 that I fired 1, cleaned, fired 5 cleaned, fired 5 cleaned, fired 5 cleaned, fired 7 cleaned, etc till I had 100 rounds through it, but fired slowly to not get the barrel too hot until it was broken in.
sjohn26
Member
From the Savage Arms FAQs:
http://www.savagearms.com/cs_barrel.htm
STEP 1 (repeated 10 times)
* Fire one round
* Push wet patches soaked with a powder solvent through the bore
* Push a brush through the bore (5 times in each direction)
* Push dry patches through the bore (2 times)
* Push wet patches soaked with a copper solvent through the bore
* Push a brush through the bore (5 times in each direction)
* Push dry patches through the bore (2 times)
* Push a patch with 2 drops of oil through the bore
STEP 2 (repeated 5 times)
* Fire a 3 shot group
* Repeat the cleaning procedure from STEP 1 after each group
STEP 3 (repeat 5 times)
* Fire a 5 shot group
* Repeat the cleaning procedure from STEP 1
http://www.savagearms.com/cs_barrel.htm
STEP 1 (repeated 10 times)
* Fire one round
* Push wet patches soaked with a powder solvent through the bore
* Push a brush through the bore (5 times in each direction)
* Push dry patches through the bore (2 times)
* Push wet patches soaked with a copper solvent through the bore
* Push a brush through the bore (5 times in each direction)
* Push dry patches through the bore (2 times)
* Push a patch with 2 drops of oil through the bore
STEP 2 (repeated 5 times)
* Fire a 3 shot group
* Repeat the cleaning procedure from STEP 1 after each group
STEP 3 (repeat 5 times)
* Fire a 5 shot group
* Repeat the cleaning procedure from STEP 1
W.E.G.
Member
Question has been asked a million times.
The fact that you asked it again clearly suggests that you think there must be something to it.
Knock yourself out.
I wouldn't bother.
Shoot your rifle normally.
Clean your rifle normally.
The fact that you asked it again clearly suggests that you think there must be something to it.
Knock yourself out.
I wouldn't bother.
Shoot your rifle normally.
Clean your rifle normally.
Bill_Rights
Member
I agree with W.E.G. - do normal stuff with one exception
The barrel (throat, rifling lands and bore generally) will break in as dozens or hundreds of rounds are put through it. The ONLY difference in your personal field ops when the gun is new, I think, is KEEP THE BORE CLEAN OF FOREIGN MATTER. IMO, the ONLY foreign matter that matters is stuff that has a mechanical hardness sufficient to scratch the gun-metal of the barrel. That would be steel and sand (quartz, silicates, etc. from air dust or the environment). Don't care about powder residue - that's a good lube. Don't care about small-to-moderate copper transfer rub-off (from the jacket of your bullets) - that's another good lube, plus fills voids in the finish of the bore, plus cannot scratch the gun metal, plus can be removed anytime you like.
When first fired, MAYBE steel filings and such could be shaken loose (by the mechanical shock of the round going off) from the reciever/bolt/action area and get entrained into the chamber/bore region by the next cartridge loading in. Maybe. That would be only if the factory did a crappy job of cleaning the parts before assembly or the interior of the receiver area got dirty in shipping or something. Unlikely but possible. Beyond that, the first few firings might break off some burrs or some such from inside the bore itself. Again, unlikely - the bore should have been deburred, at least, if not polished at the factory. But if hard particles from either of these sources lay in the bore when the next round fires, the bullet could drag them along and scratch the bore. Maybe.
So, given these unlikely but possible sources of scratching particles, I would would/will swab or drag a patch from breech to muzzle between each shot for the first few shots (few = more than two, less than 10), to clean the chamber, throat and bore of these particles.
The barrel (throat, rifling lands and bore generally) will break in as dozens or hundreds of rounds are put through it. The ONLY difference in your personal field ops when the gun is new, I think, is KEEP THE BORE CLEAN OF FOREIGN MATTER. IMO, the ONLY foreign matter that matters is stuff that has a mechanical hardness sufficient to scratch the gun-metal of the barrel. That would be steel and sand (quartz, silicates, etc. from air dust or the environment). Don't care about powder residue - that's a good lube. Don't care about small-to-moderate copper transfer rub-off (from the jacket of your bullets) - that's another good lube, plus fills voids in the finish of the bore, plus cannot scratch the gun metal, plus can be removed anytime you like.
When first fired, MAYBE steel filings and such could be shaken loose (by the mechanical shock of the round going off) from the reciever/bolt/action area and get entrained into the chamber/bore region by the next cartridge loading in. Maybe. That would be only if the factory did a crappy job of cleaning the parts before assembly or the interior of the receiver area got dirty in shipping or something. Unlikely but possible. Beyond that, the first few firings might break off some burrs or some such from inside the bore itself. Again, unlikely - the bore should have been deburred, at least, if not polished at the factory. But if hard particles from either of these sources lay in the bore when the next round fires, the bullet could drag them along and scratch the bore. Maybe.
So, given these unlikely but possible sources of scratching particles, I would would/will swab or drag a patch from breech to muzzle between each shot for the first few shots (few = more than two, less than 10), to clean the chamber, throat and bore of these particles.
Speedogomer
Member
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- Feb 19, 2009
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- 16
I just picked up a 10FCP HS, I cleaned it before shooting, and then followed Gale McMillian's advice http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html.
Bill_Rights
Member
Speedogomer,
I just gave the one reason Gale M. might agree with for cleaning in between initial shots. But he would say that even that is not "breaking in" but "shaking out" or something.
I just gave the one reason Gale M. might agree with for cleaning in between initial shots. But he would say that even that is not "breaking in" but "shaking out" or something.
How many here need to shoot "fouler" shots before their barrel is "dialed in"? I'm a believer in the theory of barrel break-in. The target on the left (shot on Sunday) shows shots 1 through 5 (cold bore "fouling" shots) from a Krieger barreled .300 Win Mag that I believe was broken in properly. The second target shows shots 36 through 40 with no cleaning during the 40-shot string. Do you think that this barrel needs fouler shots? I believe the barrel was broken in properly because I don't get any copper fouling (that I can see) in the barrel after shooting 30, 40 or 50 rounds in an afternoon. The second target was shot in under one minute from start to finish (practicing for a tactical match). Both groups were shot in the prone position using an Accuracy International bipod with no other support in 12 to 14mph crosswinds (moving me around rather than the bullet) hence the 0.75MOA groups rather than one hole. A barrel that fouls during shooting is going to affect the POI of the bullet and perhaps those barrels require "fouler" shots, maybe as many as 20 rounds. It is my belief that a properly broken in barrel doesn't foul with copper as quickly (if at all) as a barrel that hasn't been broken in properly. Therefore, the POI is the same for the first shot as it is for the last shot. This is purely anecdotal and I will add that I'm not a benchrest shooter, in fact, I only shoot off the ground but at this point I'm convinced that proper barrel, or technically, proper throat break-in is worth the effort.
Added in edit: The barrel was considerably hotter during and after the last 5-shot group compared to the first 5-shot group with three to four minutes between shots.
Added in edit: The barrel was considerably hotter during and after the last 5-shot group compared to the first 5-shot group with three to four minutes between shots.
Last edited:
From FAQs:
Barrel break in.
36. “Breaking in” a rifle barrel is probably just a waste of time. Some barrel makers recommend it while others do not which demonstrates a lack of universal agreement on whether it’s really necessary so it probably is not. Every formula for break in involves some combination of firing and cleaning. The fact that there are numerous different formulas should be evidence that nobody really has the definitive answer on the best procedure meaning there likely isn’t one. Simply shooting the rifle as intended will likely be all the break in that is required.
Barrel break in.
36. “Breaking in” a rifle barrel is probably just a waste of time. Some barrel makers recommend it while others do not which demonstrates a lack of universal agreement on whether it’s really necessary so it probably is not. Every formula for break in involves some combination of firing and cleaning. The fact that there are numerous different formulas should be evidence that nobody really has the definitive answer on the best procedure meaning there likely isn’t one. Simply shooting the rifle as intended will likely be all the break in that is required.
SaxonPig, I've read that before and I think it's one of the dumbest, most simplistic, erroneous statements that I've ever read on any shooting-related website and yet it keeps getting presented as being the authority on the need or lack thereof for barrel break in. The argument that no one can agree on a process and therefore "there probably isn't one" is ludicrous ... in fact, it's laughable. What DOES the shooting community agree on? Rifle manufacturer, scopes, barrel length, caliber, corrosion prevention, bullets, powder, stocks, ... the list goes on and on. Even apparently simple processes such as barrel cleaning end up in huge discussions as to which copper removal product to use, whether the brush should only be pushed through the barrel in one direction, whether a bore guide is necessary and on and on. Does the lack of agreement mean that we shouldn't clean our rifles?
At the end of the day, we all have the option to do what we feel is right or best for us. I put WAY more stock in the expertise of a company that makes barrels and whose reputation and financial security is based 100% on the performance of those barrels.
At the end of the day, we all have the option to do what we feel is right or best for us. I put WAY more stock in the expertise of a company that makes barrels and whose reputation and financial security is based 100% on the performance of those barrels.
NCsmitty
Member
That does sum it up nicely. You follow the regimen that you feel best using.
I've seen these barrel break in threads pop up almost weekly and really there is no right answer as it's a personal preference issue.
My take on it is that if your barrel has been lapped by machine or by hand, those barrels require very little extra break in.
Most "budget" barrels or rifles on the lower price scale should get a bit more attention and a longer break in period to smooth those burrs and irregularities that are usually present from the machining process. IMO, a shoot and clean application in steps will pay off as evidenced by the patches with debris that you'll get initially.
So you pay your money and you make your choice.
NCsmitty
Speedogomer
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Until someone has solid proof that "proper" barrel break in will make a difference in the long run, then I'm not sold on the idea.
I'm not saying it is absolutely unnessicary, it's just not really proven at all.
I'm not saying it is absolutely unnessicary, it's just not really proven at all.
sohcgt2
Member
100 rounds of surplus military 147gr FMJ then go home and clean. return to the range after everything is cleaned and cooled and zero.
usmc1371
Member
I bought a les baer .204 a couple years ago and it came with break in instructions that said:
clean and shoot 5 rounds
repeat for 50 rounds cleaning every 5 shots. the rifle shot .5 moa or better on the first group and it never changed. the most rounds through it in a day so far is 60 and it was still .5 moa so now I clean it when I feel like it and don't worry about it.
On the other hand the ruger 300 wm I bought 12 years ago probabley got cleaned once a year maybe for the first half of its life and it has always shot rem green box 180's to about 1 moa. No break in of any kind in fact I had never even heard the term "break in" back then.
I fully believe Many rifles have been screwed by improper cleaning. then when they don't shoot like some one thinks they should they say I should have broken it in better.. Probabely shouldn't have rammed a cheap jointed steel rod down the barrel a thousand times. IMHO
clean and shoot 5 rounds
repeat for 50 rounds cleaning every 5 shots. the rifle shot .5 moa or better on the first group and it never changed. the most rounds through it in a day so far is 60 and it was still .5 moa so now I clean it when I feel like it and don't worry about it.
On the other hand the ruger 300 wm I bought 12 years ago probabley got cleaned once a year maybe for the first half of its life and it has always shot rem green box 180's to about 1 moa. No break in of any kind in fact I had never even heard the term "break in" back then.
I fully believe Many rifles have been screwed by improper cleaning. then when they don't shoot like some one thinks they should they say I should have broken it in better.. Probabely shouldn't have rammed a cheap jointed steel rod down the barrel a thousand times. IMHO
jack the toad
Member
I'm not an expert and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night but IMO, swab the bore, shoot the ***** out of it, properly clean the bore again when finished.
If it makes you sleep better at night, you can use various methods of clean, shoot and repeat.
If it makes you sleep better at night, you can use various methods of clean, shoot and repeat.
Lloyd Smale
Member
what he said
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