Confused????

[wisconsinteacher]

I really enjoy shooting and want the best for my rifles but feel I have made some mistakes. Up until now, every gun I have owned has been taken to the range on day one and shot. No break in or anything like that. I clean them with Remington Bore Bright and Rem Oil. I now have a new 6.5 Grendel that is on an AR platform and want to make it a good shooter. I have read a lot about break in and cleaning and my mind is spinning. What do I need for clean in supplies and what should be done at a min for break in. I did shoot the gun 10 times to test feed and function alone with some fireform rounds. Are my rifles ruined due to no break in and have I been cleaning them correctly?

 

[Mountain Goat]

There are many ways to break in barrels and no single way to do it right. If it's a custom barrel, then follow the barrel manufacturer's break-in in structions.

I've tried the shoot and clean for the first 30 rounds, then clean after every 3 thereafter. I've tried various other regimines, all with factory rifles, and have not noticed a difference between a "broken in" barrel and a shoot it as you use it barrel after 50 or so rounds.

All I can recommend is to not let the barrel get too hot. Don't automatically think that the barrel needs to be clean in order to shoot tight groups. Sometimes they shoot well right out of the gate, and sometimes it takes 20 or more rounds to show life.

Avoid using cleaners with teflon in the barrel. Teflon not only coats the barrel, but will emit gasses that can be harmful to a barrel and its accuracy.

Barrel break-in is a confusing topic. We all have our methods. Like I said, it's easier to learn what to avoid. There simply isn't a magic recipe for breaking in a new barrel.

Confused???? Join the club.

 

[DrMike]

You haven't ruined your rifle. MG is correct to advise you to not shoot them until they are hot. Here's a link to provide a guide for break-in: http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11708.