Posted by David Halblom on February 12, 1999 at 08:00:08:
In Reply to: Re: How do I break in my new barrel???? posted by Grant Ubl on February 12, 1999 at 07:20:22:
The "breakin" regimin of a new rifle is one of the most debated issues among accuracy shooters. It really gets down to how much work you are willing to put into it.
The most prevelant is to shot 1, CLEAN, and repeat for 10 - 20 rounds. Then shoot 5 shot groups, cleaning in between. But what they don't say is "what is clean". I feel that especially during the breakin there is no such thing as TOO CLEAN. It may take you 15 - 20 minutes to get a new factory barrel CLEAN. From just one shot!! But in the process you are to a degree polishing the barrel, thus making it less likely to be a copper mine
I would strongly recommend that you spend much more time using an abrasive cleaner such as Rem-Clean or J-B paste or USP paste rather than the bronze brush. The pastes act as a polish to SLOWLY take out any rough spots in the barrel. The brush only acts on the carbon on metallic copper that is laying on the surface of the metal of the bore. The paste can actually take off any high points or bumps that are present.
Whatever breakin method you use, I would avoid using the firelapping until you have exhausted all other possibilities. The process works, but with a factory barrel that probably already has a long throat, you will put yourself in a situation that will make it difficult if not impossible to get out to the lands with your bullet seating after you firelap. Most people I have talked to that have used NECO's process have said that it moved the throat significantly forward.
Now that you are thoroughly confused, go shoot!!
David