Thread: Thoughts on new barrel ' break-in '

So my 308 has arrived and due for its first few shots and scope sight-in. Any thoughts on correct barrel break in procedures.
I have seen some which recommend 1 round then barrel clean for 3 or so rounds , then 3 rounds and a clean a couple of times and so on....
Then others who don't seem to do anything at all except shoot the thing.
Is there a correct way or does it not make a jot of difference.
I will of course clean the barrel before the first shot to remove any factory lube / protectant

You'll get a heap of different answers mate. With my proof I did 3 then clean, 10 then clean and from there clean as I normally would. Accuracy is exactly what i would expect

Hard to say. I've done the whole clean after each round for the first ten then after each 5 for the next 20 on one new rifle and its accurate but no more accurate than other new rifles I've just cleaned then blazed away with.
What make is your new 308?

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Just shoot it

Someone will chime in here with Gale McMillan's recommendation of barrels not needing running in. Gale is well gone now but even the current custom barrel makers are 50:50 run-in/don't need to.

I have always done a run-in but usually you can judge by the Cu fowling how far you need to go with it. If I have paid a shitload of bucks for a top barrel, what's the issue with a few running in rounds? Plus at running in zeroing can be done and a partial feel for load development can occur so its not a wasted exercise.

In theory if a good custom barrel it has has been lapped and should require minimal run-in. In practice though what happens is during chamber reaming there inevitably are small radial burrs created. Better gunsmiths hone these out. Otherwise, during "running in" these burrs are scorched by the powder flame and go into plasma to be deposited out near the muzzle. It is best to remove this rather than get a deeper overlay.

Factory barrels mmm... Mostly hammer forged so burrs don't apply.

Just a boring run of the mill tikka t3x . Just got back from dpt from getting the 16 inch bushpig makeover. And have thrown on a carbon stock and titanium bolt handle as well.
Nothing overly special.

Has nothing to to with accuracy, may have some value in terms of how badly a cheap barrel copper fouls.
Certainly not worth the hassle on a premium barrel.
Never bothered doing it myself and never felt disadvantaged.

Breaking in is pretty much the antivax/anti 5G of shooting.

Just go shoot the damn thing, sight it in then clean it as you normally would.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

Just a boring run of the mill tikka t3x . Just got back from dpt from getting the 16 inch bushpig makeover. And have thrown on a carbon stock and titanium bolt handle as well.
Nothing overly special.


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Just clean out the barrel then site it in and put it to work.

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Originally Posted by Steve123

Just clean out the barrel then site it in and put it to work.

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+1

If you really want to feel like you've done something to make the barrel better, polish the bore with JB Bore Paste or put some Tubbs Final Finish Bullets - starting with #3 not #5 bullets - through it

Factory tikka have already had an accuracy test before they leave, so they have already had rounds down the tube. Clean it, send some rounds down range and enjoy it. Grouping from my tikka win mag tightens up after about 15 rounds from new ended up under a inch at 200m on factory ammo. Went home cleaned the shit out of it with copper solvent etc, went back to range took another 15 rounds to get it grouping again.

I like this
https://youtu.be/WJzgmFgylSw

Originally Posted by mikee

I like this
https://youtu.be/WJzgmFgylSw

Was just about to link this too

Originally Posted by mikee

I like this
https://youtu.be/WJzgmFgylSw

Well that sorted out that question. But I think I will skip the meat grinder.... I need to be able to sit down at work lol

He does mention that i only experience is with custom barrels but Tikka have been making barrels for long enough to do it properly even when mass produced.
I noticed the gunmith moved the bolt handle to the "wrong side" while shortening the barrel