[Beladran]

ok if your doing some load development when and how do you clean your barrel? do you run a dry patch after every couple shots? wet patchs? brush?

 

[Doug Bowser]

I have not found that accuracy suffers unless you shoot 100 or more rounds in a session. I would not clean between shots.

Doug

 

[smoffett]

Ditto to Doug's comments. I've found that if I switch powder or bullets, the first few shots with the new load are not as accurate as subsequent shots. So if I change to a load with new powder or new bullets, I usually take the opportunity to clean. Then I treat the next few shots as "fouling" shots. The velocity data is accurate, but I don't trust the groups until I've shot a few shots with the new load.

 

[captain-03]

If I am going from jacketed to lead in rifle, I try to clean it pretty good ... for shot development, I see little benefit ..... regardless of whether I clean or not, the first couple shots of a new or any load will be different than the subsequent shots .... it believe it has more to do with barrel heat and cleaning ...

 

[ftsibley]

on factory guns- when i get around to it.
On my customs at least every 50 rounds.

 

[Scharfschütze]

There was an article out in one of the mags - maybe NRA - that basically said most gun owners put more wear on the barrel cleaning it than shooting it. I know that isn't true of competitors who literally shoot out a barrel, but I have found that many people clean their barrels too much and improperly.

 

[Shine68]

what about on a new factory barrel (breakin) how often should you clean?

 

[ftsibley]

factory barrel- IMO waste of time to do a break in.
Match barrel- Lot of different thoughts on this- I clean after each shot for the first 10 shots then every fifth shot thereafter until i have shot another 25. Then i go and shoot hell out of it. This was what my gunsmith suggested and what i do.

 

[Guest]

What does the break-in process actually do to the barrel? I can't imagine what shooting/cleaning cycle with a 100 rounds of lead or copper/nickel though a hardened steel barrel would really accomplish. Especially if it was a match grade barrel.

 

[ftsibley]

I dont think it really accomplishes a damn thing, but most of the top accuracy shooter have it as part of their regime so it must have some benefit. My shooting abilites have not progressed to the point that it probably gives me any benefit, but i like the smell of gun cleaner so i clean away.

 

[DBChaffin]

What does the break-in process actually do to the barrel? I can't imagine what shooting/cleaning cycle with a 100 rounds of lead or copper/nickel though a hardened steel barrel would really accomplish. Especially if it was a match grade barrel.

I don't claim to be an expert by any means, but I find Gale McMillan's (who could be considered an expert) thoughts on the subject interesting at least. See http://www.6mmbr.com/GailMcMbreakin.html

 

[Doug Bowser]

For breaking in a new barrel, I fire 3 shots, clean with Hoppe's #9 and dry the bore. Stroke the barrel 10 times with a tight fitting flannel patch with JB Bore cleaner on it. Repeat the process at least 6 times.
This is the procedure I learned at Camp perry and the same procedure used by Bushmaster when breaking in a match AR15 barrel. On the Wilson Match barrels used on Rock River Ar15 NM rifles, the barrels are fire lapped and require no break in period.

Doug

 

[DBChaffin]

For breaking in a new barrel, I fire 3 shots, clean with Hoppe's #9 and dry the bore. Stroke the barrel 10 times with a tight fitting flannel patch with JB Bore cleaner on it. Repeat the process at least 6 times.
This is the procedure I learned at Camp perry and the same procedure used by Bushmaster when breaking in a match AR15 barrel. On the Wilson Match barrels used on Rock River Ar15 NM rifles, the barrels are fire lapped and require no break in period.

Doug

That is interesting. I know JB has been used by many folks for years, but in the link at the bottom of the page I linked above there are additional comments by Mr. McMillan on the subject, and he said that when someone uses JB on one of his rifles he voids the warranty.

 

[Beladran]

i know some match pistol barrel manufactors that say the same exact thing about jb

 

[ftsibley]

i have read what Gale McMillian said about it before and it was a good read.

 

[osucowboy8]

In my humble opinion, the notion that barrels need to be broken in is a myth. I feel the same way about barrel break in as I do about global warming. Pure hogwash.

Flame on...

 

[s_irwin23]

If you use an absrasive cleaner like jb's/usp bore paste/whipe out then chances are you are probably damaging the hand lapped polished finish inside a match grade barrel. In fact, this is why Hart, lilja, and other barrel makers will void your warranty and stringently warn you not to use any absrasive cleaners with their barrels. On a rough factory barrel it probably wouldnt hurt.