Barrel Break In

[Red Dawn]

I've been reading all over the interweb and still left thinking it's not necessary. Do you break in a barrel? 5 shots clean then cool. Repeat 5 times. Then there's lapping the barrel. Anyone melt lead and lap their barrels? I've seen that most I've read AR shoots better the dirtier it gets. Only clean when there's a malfunction FTF or FTE. What are your thoughts on barrel maintenance and increasing the life and accuracy of the barrel.


Short barrel lapping video:

 

[AtlMedic]

I was trying to figure out how important it was but then after reading a bunch the general consensus was that unless you are working on a precision barrel with tight tolerances it doesn't really matter. I did not do anything to break in my barrel and the first chance I get in going to see how accurate it really is off a bench to see if it matters.

 

[Mac11FA]

I would think maybe more necessary for a precision bolt gun. If you are sighting it in or trying out different loads, then you may want to take some time to let cool in between rounds.

 

[SouthernSlammed]

I hear back and forth arguments. I haven't done it!

 

[Dinky Dau]

I always do with long range equipment..Micro ridges can be taken care of. I always use several mops and JB Bore compound..I run 30 rounds with moping every round..This takes several days to do and I use a fan to cool between shots.. Then graduate to every 5 rounds between mops..My rifle groves are smooth as a baby's ass..Just how I roll, oh and I roll my own loads..That is what I like, but to each their own.

 

[shootin4fun]

Just choot em.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

Not this again...

 

[KGmade]

I could see doing it if you are a competition benchrest shooter, or going for 1000+ yards. But for any AR15 or "battle" type rifle, I just shoot them till they are filthy, and clean them when I get bored.

 

[cmshoot]

For "non-precision" rifles/carbines, I don't do it. Like a new M4 with a hard-chrome bore.......ain't gonna do it.

A new bolt action or SPR, I do it. If it has a true "match grade" barrel, I do a shoot/clean regimen for break-in. For a factory rifle with a factory tube (Remington, Savage, Tikka, Ruger, etc.) I handlap it first, then shoot it.

Ya can't make a blanket statement that rifles shoot better clean or dirty. Different rifles behave differently. Know your equipment and treat it accordingly.

 

[Red Dawn]

I bought an Anderson 16" 6.5 Grendel barrel and had a chance to shoot indoors. I chose not to do any lapping or cleaning after shots. I put 20 Wolf 100gr through it then a four shot group of Hornady 123gr SST at the end all off sand bags. It was about 1/4 moa in 25yd so if it's 1 moa at 100yd I'll be impressed for as about as budget build as I can get.

I think with the Faxon 18" barrel I'll get next I'm gonna do it differently. May do a few shots clean let it cool and repeat a couple times I don't think it will hurt.

 

[dial1911]

I've seen this tossed around many times. I'm going to go with Dad's opinion- barrel break in was invented by the Benchrest barrel manufacturers. A Benchrest barrel has a lifespan of several hundred shots. If the manufacturers could get the benchrest shooters to burn 50+ rounds on a break in, then they could sell more barrels.

Just Dad's opinion- I tend to agree.

I clean mine when new and will then go shoot whatever I'm going to shoot during the first range trip. I haven't noticed any bad groups, but I can't say if they could have been better.

 

[RICHGCOOP]

I've been reading all over the interweb and still left thinking it's not necessary. Do you break in a barrel? 5 shots clean then cool. Repeat 5 times. Then there's lapping the barrel. Anyone melt lead and lap their barrels? I've seen that most I've read AR shoots better the dirtier it gets. Only clean when there's a malfunction FTF or FTE. What are your thoughts on barrel maintenance and increasing the life and accuracy of the barrel.


Short barrel lapping video:

It's good to see someone looks at my videos.

 

[Red Dawn]

It's good to see someone looks at my videos.

Ha we have a resident YouTube superstar or 2 on here. Yeah I try to soak up as much info as I can get that way there's a better chance some of stays. LoL. Very helpful thanks and subscribed.

 

[cmshoot]

What I notice on factory barrels when a proper break-in/lapping is done isn't always a big improvement in accuracy, but I do notice a difference in how quickly the barrel fouls and how easy it is to clean.

 

[dial1911]

What I notice on factory barrels when a proper break-in/lapping is done isn't always a big improvement in accuracy, but I do notice a difference in how quickly the barrel fouls and how easy it is to clean.

Now that you mention it, Dad said the same thing.