Thread: .22lr barrel break in and cleaning

Originally Posted by Moutere

Also, please write something up on here once you’ve had a couple bricks of ammo through it and had a chance to form some opinions on the R8 .22 kit.

Will do, just need to find the time at the moment to give it some use

Originally Posted by No.3

Not in theory, but keep an eye on it in humidity conditions. Also monitor for lube/crap buildup in the extractor slot and action areas, and in the barrel. A careful use of a bore snake will generally be everything a .22LR needs, and its only excess lube that you should be having an issue with. There is the possibility of creating bulges with an excessive lube situation, circa old military training .22's but modern barrel steel is much better than the ww2 era stuff.


More barrels have been destroyed through crap cleaning technique and gear than any other reason.

That is the truth, Get a bore guide and use a decent cleaning rod like the Dewy, only cotton patches and solvent are necessary to clean
a .22RF barrel the bullet lube leaves a film that protects the barrel from rust short term,
With modern steel they should be good for a few million rounds.

Many high end 22LR barrels are hand lapped. i.e. the bore is already as smooth as can be. I cannot see what is there to break in, or how more break in could make it any better.

Slightly off op but is there any difference if you use copper coated projectiles as opposed to lead?