Thread: New rifle, cleaning while doing ladder test query

Hi All

Have just picked up a new Tikka T3x lite in 6.5PRC.

Planning on doing ladders with 143gr ELDx and 2217 and Super performance to find a good accuracy node at the best safe load/velocity I can.

What are your thoughts on a cleaning regime when doing this?

Between each 3 shot set?

Only thinking about powder residue not full copper cleans.

Thanks

I would break the barrel in first before doing ladder test, I go 2 rounds then scrub it clean with jbs bore cleaning paste then jb polish paste, shoot 2 again do the same, shoot 2 again do the same, then shoot 3 and clean with boretech eliminator, do 3 again and bore tech eliminator clean then I'd do my ladder test.

I would just run a patch through the barrel then go and shoot it ...

Originally Posted by Shamus_

I would just run a patch through the barrel then go and shoot it ...

Me too!

Thanks for the replies, the guys at the shop said no need to break in the barrel.

I'm more interested in being sure I get good results from the ladder tests.

Originally Posted by Ted6. 5

Thanks for the replies, the guys at the shop said no need to break in the barrel.

I'm more interested in being sure I get good results from the ladder tests.

How many total rounds in your ladder?

I’m picking probably not enough to be of any concern.

Sighting in the rifle will be your break in period.
Give it a scrub for carbon after that. Let it cool and shoot your groups/ladder in a round robin style. (One shot at each different target of each load, until you have shot your numbers) most results are just white noise but you will identify bad loads. Do you want to borrow my chrony?

Originally Posted by Shamus_

I would just run a patch through the barrel then go and shoot it ...

That's all I've ever done

Probably 36-42 across both powders I expect

@johnd will give you a call, cheers

Saw an interview with Eric Cortina where he said he hasn't broke in a barrel for years just goes out and starts using them.

3 shots to foul. Then round robin for the ladder, no cleaning. When looking at velocity it will take 100-200 shots to stabilise (according to Applied Ballistics), so you may want to err on the side of caution.

Thanks all

Yep aware of the speed with age matter. Planning on getting a load sorted and running drops off that then checking velocity after 100 rounds or so to see if I need to adjust.

Clean it after 100 rounds