On Saturday I ordered a DPMS M-4Gery with all the evil features. All my other rifles have either been MIl-surps or purchased used and I was wondering what the correct procedure is for breaking in a new barrel. I am familiar with the AR platform having been in the military but have bo clue what to do with a new rifle. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Break in for a new AR
- Thread starter ROTTO
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Quintin Likely
Member
Building up sandbags, donning asbestos body armor...
Check the bore, make sure ain't nothing stuck in it. Run a patch or two down it. Load magazines and shoot. Don't set the world on fire like I did one time with my 20" HBAR (the plastic handguards were uncomfortable to hold for more than a second or two). Don't get too bent out of shape over barrel break in, IMHO.
Check the bore, make sure ain't nothing stuck in it. Run a patch or two down it. Load magazines and shoot. Don't set the world on fire like I did one time with my 20" HBAR (the plastic handguards were uncomfortable to hold for more than a second or two). Don't get too bent out of shape over barrel break in, IMHO.
bad_dad_brad
Member
A chrome lined barrel, seriously, there is no break in. Just shoot it.
Quintin Likely
Member
Just don't overheat it and clean it up when you're done afterwards. That's my belief now anyways. Use whatever solvent of your choice, a preferably one piece coated cleaning rod and patch it 'till they come out dull grey or white and leave it be.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Unless you have a match barrel and plan to be competing in matches where fractions of an inch will make the difference between winning and losing at 100yds, I'd just check it for obstructions, shoot it and clean it afterwards.
ShootAndHunt
Member
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SH / CL
Shoot and keep it clean / more you shoot more you should keep it clean, don't over do your barrel scrubbing, just keep it clean. Shoot some more and keep it clean,
Soon you be broke from all that Ammo, (you'll be happy though)
So Broke will be break in
Shoot and keep it clean / more you shoot more you should keep it clean, don't over do your barrel scrubbing, just keep it clean. Shoot some more and keep it clean,
Soon you be broke from all that Ammo, (you'll be happy though)
So Broke will be break in
Thanks for the info, I was also thinking just shoot it and clean it, but I had read somewhere about needing to clean the barrel after each round for a certain # of rounds and also some other steps that sounded like a real pain.
QUOTE:but I had read somewhere about needing to clean the barrel after each round for a certain # of rounds and also some other steps that sounded like a real pain.
Rotto,
What you are referring to is the procedure more along the lines of what a bolt action target shooter would follow in a quest for accuracy.
The procedure is to remove the action from the stock of a rifle and pour boiling water down the barrel so the "pores" of it expand and release impurities. While the barrel is still hot you would then hand lap the barrel (basically polish it) with lapping compound available at some finer gun shops, or suppliers.
You then proceed to the range and clean the barrel after every third shot until you've gone through 40 rounds. This supposedly breaks in the barrel and smooths the lands without causing impurities to catch up and build up in the barrel before you've had a chance to breakin the barrel with natural break in.
Yes, I've done this and it is a pain. But, I don't think this is necessary with an assault weapon, as it would Kind of seem like overkill unless you're competing in the Nationals. (As Bart was also sought of saying)
Though, I tell you what..... it might be worth it when buying that DPMS .308 heavy barrel Assault rifle that shoots .75 groups or better @ 100 yards. (I don't remember the model) If DPMS gets around to putting the post post ban goodies on that bad boy, I'd like to buy it! (Though I'm getting broke real quick 2 days after the ban already!
)
Rotto,
What you are referring to is the procedure more along the lines of what a bolt action target shooter would follow in a quest for accuracy.
The procedure is to remove the action from the stock of a rifle and pour boiling water down the barrel so the "pores" of it expand and release impurities. While the barrel is still hot you would then hand lap the barrel (basically polish it) with lapping compound available at some finer gun shops, or suppliers.
You then proceed to the range and clean the barrel after every third shot until you've gone through 40 rounds. This supposedly breaks in the barrel and smooths the lands without causing impurities to catch up and build up in the barrel before you've had a chance to breakin the barrel with natural break in.
Yes, I've done this and it is a pain. But, I don't think this is necessary with an assault weapon, as it would Kind of seem like overkill unless you're competing in the Nationals. (As Bart was also sought of saying)
Though, I tell you what..... it might be worth it when buying that DPMS .308 heavy barrel Assault rifle that shoots .75 groups or better @ 100 yards. (I don't remember the model) If DPMS gets around to putting the post post ban goodies on that bad boy, I'd like to buy it! (Though I'm getting broke real quick 2 days after the ban already!
)Darkside
Member
I looked for the same info when I bought my Bushy w/chromed bore. All the info I found said the same thing, clean the bore, shoot between 200-2000 rounds and clean again, done. It will shoot 1" at 100 yards and that is good enought for me.
Come to think of it I used the same break-in for my Non-chromed RRA and it shoots 1 1/2" at 100 yards, still good enough for me.
I was told by several ARF shooters that if the bolt starts to get gummy just add a couple drops of CLP on the lugs(actually the term they used was "fill her up") and keep on bang'n away.
Worked for me.
Darkside
Come to think of it I used the same break-in for my Non-chromed RRA and it shoots 1 1/2" at 100 yards, still good enough for me.
I was told by several ARF shooters that if the bolt starts to get gummy just add a couple drops of CLP on the lugs(actually the term they used was "fill her up") and keep on bang'n away.
Worked for me.
Darkside
FWIW, here's Remington's recommendations on breaking in a new barrel.
http://www.remington.com/support/guncare/gc_7.htm
Basically shoot one, then clean the bore, repeat 10X.
http://www.remington.com/support/guncare/gc_7.htm
Basically shoot one, then clean the bore, repeat 10X.
I would recommend some kind of break in procedure. One shot, thoroughly clean the bore, shoot again, repeat 10 times or so then go to 3 shots/clean for a few times. Use a bore guide and a coated rod.
Whether or not breaking in a barrel is any benefit to accuracy is debatable, however everyone seems to agree that a broken in barrel is easier to clean. It's up to you. The break in can be done at any time even with an old rifle. It's just easier with a brand new gun.
A way to “cheat†the break in is to polish the bore using JB Bore Bright from Brownell’s.
Whatever you do at least clean and lube the thing before you take it out to shoot it. It's also a good idea to make sure it's properly lubed right when you get it if your not going to be using it for a while.
Whether or not breaking in a barrel is any benefit to accuracy is debatable, however everyone seems to agree that a broken in barrel is easier to clean. It's up to you. The break in can be done at any time even with an old rifle. It's just easier with a brand new gun.
A way to “cheat†the break in is to polish the bore using JB Bore Bright from Brownell’s.
Whatever you do at least clean and lube the thing before you take it out to shoot it. It's also a good idea to make sure it's properly lubed right when you get it if your not going to be using it for a while.
TheDutchman
Member
I thought AR15.com had a Floating post on how to breakin a Ar barrel
Jon Coppenbarger
Member
Here is what alot of highpower shooters do and you can make your choice from that.
I will take a new barreled rifle and shoot 5 rounds threw it and then check the messurement of the brass to check the chamber.
Then I will clean the rifle and what I will do is to run a wet patch with my bore cleaner in it untill it comes out clean and repeat after every 5 rounds for a couple times and then every 10 rounds untill I stop getting copper fowling in the barrel.
These tells me that the barrel is now good to go as all of the rough or imperfections have been removed enough for the rifle not to give me any problems. Most of my match rifles settle down to a good zero after the first 50 to 100 rounds most of the time
I will take a new barreled rifle and shoot 5 rounds threw it and then check the messurement of the brass to check the chamber.
Then I will clean the rifle and what I will do is to run a wet patch with my bore cleaner in it untill it comes out clean and repeat after every 5 rounds for a couple times and then every 10 rounds untill I stop getting copper fowling in the barrel.
These tells me that the barrel is now good to go as all of the rough or imperfections have been removed enough for the rifle not to give me any problems. Most of my match rifles settle down to a good zero after the first 50 to 100 rounds most of the time
I don't have much experience in this area, but I'll refer to someone who does (Gale McMillan):
Posted: 01-27-2000 08:57
I will make one last post on this subject and appeal to logic on this subject I think it is the height of arrogance to believe a novice can improve a barrel
using a cleaning rod more than that a barrel maker can do with 30 years of experience and a * million dollars in equipment . The barrel is a relatively
precise bit of machining and to imagine that it can be improved on with a bit of abrasive smeared on a patch or embedded in a bullet. The surface finish
of a barrel is a delicate thing with more of them being ruined with a cleaning rod in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use one. I would
never in a million years buy a used rifle now because you well may buy one that has been improved. First give a little thought to what you think you
are accomplishing with any of the break in methods. Do you really believe that if what you are doing would help a barrel that the barrel maker wouldn't
have already done it. The best marketing advantage he can have is for his barrels to out perform his competitors! Of coarse he is happy to see you
poking things in your barrel . Its only going to improve his sales. Get real!!!! I am not saying the following to brag because the record speak for it' self
McMillan barrels won the gold at 4 straight Olympics. Won the Leach Cup eight years running. Had more barrels in the Wimbledon shoot off every year
for 4 straight yearsthan any other make. Set the national 1000 yard record 17 times in one year. Held 7 world records at the same time in the NBRSA .
Won the national silhouette matches 5 straight times and set 3 world records while doing that . Shot the only two 6400 scores in the history of small
bore and holds a 100 yard world record that will stand for ever at .009 of one inch. All with barrels the shooter didn't have to improve on by breaking
them in.
-Owen
Posted: 01-27-2000 08:57
I will make one last post on this subject and appeal to logic on this subject I think it is the height of arrogance to believe a novice can improve a barrel
using a cleaning rod more than that a barrel maker can do with 30 years of experience and a * million dollars in equipment . The barrel is a relatively
precise bit of machining and to imagine that it can be improved on with a bit of abrasive smeared on a patch or embedded in a bullet. The surface finish
of a barrel is a delicate thing with more of them being ruined with a cleaning rod in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use one. I would
never in a million years buy a used rifle now because you well may buy one that has been improved. First give a little thought to what you think you
are accomplishing with any of the break in methods. Do you really believe that if what you are doing would help a barrel that the barrel maker wouldn't
have already done it. The best marketing advantage he can have is for his barrels to out perform his competitors! Of coarse he is happy to see you
poking things in your barrel . Its only going to improve his sales. Get real!!!! I am not saying the following to brag because the record speak for it' self
McMillan barrels won the gold at 4 straight Olympics. Won the Leach Cup eight years running. Had more barrels in the Wimbledon shoot off every year
for 4 straight yearsthan any other make. Set the national 1000 yard record 17 times in one year. Held 7 world records at the same time in the NBRSA .
Won the national silhouette matches 5 straight times and set 3 world records while doing that . Shot the only two 6400 scores in the history of small
bore and holds a 100 yard world record that will stand for ever at .009 of one inch. All with barrels the shooter didn't have to improve on by breaking
them in.
-Owen
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