How To Break In New Rifles & Barrels - 21 Companies Answer

[@buddy22801012]

I’ve been shooting for 40 years and have never used any bizarre break in procedures. I usually just clean a new rifle to remove any factory oil. I have noticed that most rifles will start to shoot better after 50 rounds or so. Pretty sure this happens because any small burrs from the rifling process are less pronounced. Breaking in a barrel just requires some shooting nothing else.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

And I bet you've had really accurate rifles that never saw any break in process either.

[@bobgordon1754]

Bless you brother. I have had the same experience going from an inch and a half to near one inch.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks! @@bobgordon1754

[@bobgordon1754]

@TheNewHuntersGuide You're more than welcome.

[@garrettsoutdoors9632]

I’ve been shooting the same rifle for 40 years never ran a patch or anything down the barrel drives tacs at 600 yards I have never cleaned it one time ever

[@Best_yet_is_2_come]

You touch on it in one sentence. A good company fires the rifle before it leaves. BAM broke in complete. Thanks for the video.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for watching!

[@phillipfritz7014]

Thank you George for taking the time to contact all these companies it had to take some time and effort to put this video together. Great research on a very touch topic thanks again for a great video.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Absolutely, thank you for watching!

[@MrNeverlost1]

Break-in is an internet fad, with no possible way to measure results, but people are passionate about break-in and how accurate their gun is because they did it (of course, no way to determine if they skipped it, gun would be just as accurate).. It is simply a placebo effect and makes them feel better about their gun. I have no issue with that, if it makes you more confident in your gun, do it.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

And don't forget about all the very accurate older rifles that had been abused for decades before break in processes were ever concocted!

[@clintsmith559]

Breaking in a match quality barrel is probably a waste of time since they are hand lapped at the manufacturer. But if you buy a new rifle that is a mass production barrel break in is more than likely going to improve accuracy. After all,it’s basically lapping the barrel. And yes you’re right you won’t know how much it has increased your accuracy.

[@nikmills]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide I have a 1970's Ruger M77 .270 I bought used. That thing is all scuffed up like it lived in the bed of a pickup and it's crazy accurate.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I've heard many similar stories of old guns that pre-date the idea of break ins, and they are very accurate. @@nikmills

[@leftyo9589]

break in on a match grade is all about removing the chamber reamers marks. good hand lapped match barrel will quit fouling in less than 10 shots.@@clintsmith559

[@stephenparchewski1998]

This is what I’ve done with new rifles. 1) Completely disassemble and degrease the firearm. Oil/grease the firearm and properly torque the action to the stock. 2) Shoot it only 2 or 3 times in a row to sight it in, letting the barrel cool off between shot strings. Don’t let the barrel get too hot when it is new. 3) After 30 or 40 rounds being shot and not letting the barrel heat up too much, consider your rifle broken in. Gun steel nowadays is way better than what it was years ago. Look at how many firearms there are out there that have been seriously abused over the past 40 or 50 years, and they shoot accurately and reliably. All I have to say about breaking a gun in is…don’t overthink the process. I have a .223 REM (Savage Axis) that is a “beater” gun of mine. It hasn’t been cleaned in 500 rounds and it still shoots great (sub MOA).

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jacobmullins3644]

That's what I did with my remington 770, but I greased the lugs on the bolt for easier cycling, and it works

[@stephenparchewski1998]

For bolts, I use MPRO-7 synthetic gun grease.

[@MrRj7926]

Just curious, what ammo do you run in your axis?

[@paulredmon3895]

After 20 years in the Army both in war and peace we only cleaned our weapons at the end of the day and I have followed the same procedures on all my weapons. I’m 76 years young now and still own all of the weapons I ever purchased and they all still work perfectly

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

That is about what I figured for service rifles. I should have reached out to folks who manage that.

[@ScottKipp-n3x]

Thank you! I have been called crazy for doing exactly how you clean a barrel. And only nylon brushes. Thanks again.👍

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@fowllab]

I was surprised with the majority of manufacturers stated not needed. I have done break in with all of mine. 1) couldn’t hurt, 2)piece of mind. Thanks for doing all the research.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Yea, I had no idea what all these companies were going to say.

[@bobgordon1754]

Please read my comment.

[@malinkifox2011]

Thanks for doing this brother 😂 Don’t listen to any negative comments. The frustration and length of video really helps bring out how ridiculous the issue is in the first place and I think was very necessary. Good work and every minute was a great listen 👍👍

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

[@NormanGreer-b7y]

Thanks for your hard work. Very informative!

[@556online]

Man what a well spoken and well researched video. It read out like a thesis or thorough report and was very detailed and touched on every theory out there. When I watch research videos like this I am always left with questions but you seemed to cover it entirely and thoroughly. Subbed, liked, saved and commented!

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thank you so much!

[@terryclark9603]

No brakein needed. Clean with bore cleaner and clean with dry cleaning patches clean at the end of the shooting day Ironman in Alabama 73s

[@davejones67]

Clean when accuracy drops off

[@VK6AB-]

This is straightforward from a modern engineering and metallurgical perspective - you don't need to do a barrel break in, you do need to clean before first use as it may be coated with transport agents/oils etc. The actions do bed in with time whether they be bolt action or semi-auto but its not something that significantly impedes the fire arms performance. It is worth doing a QA/QC check of key components, sometimes mistakes are made but its relatively rare even in cheaper fire arms.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jacobcline7076]

Thanks for doing the leg work for us!

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for watching!

[@r1299]

Erik Cortina, long range shooting champion, does NOT break in his barrels. When he asked his barrel sponsor why they include break-in instructions? They said because people get mad if we don't. Barrel manufacturer went on to say there is no need to break them in, but we can't say that publicly because people are stuck in thier ways.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

When I try to dig deeper into it, I come to the same conclusions!

[@user-TJ365]

I remember that episode. The procedure was written to satisfy customers that wanted a barrel break in procedure. I believe it was Brux if memory serves me well.

[@petrusanonymous1321]

ERIC CORTINA CLASSIC VIDEO ON BARREL BREAK-IN kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXvdmKB8nN6fidksi=0IK_LGhZYJxqHpoj

[@richiseler5433]

I’m not an expert on rifle barreling or break-in procedures, but I’ve owned several rifles and I’ve always seen the same results. If you start dialing your scope with the first shot, you’ll be dialing forever. I jus shoot one round and clean until the rifle groups. Then I start sighting in. It usually only takes a few rounds. I’m not 100% sure what it does, but it has always worked for me. About a month ago I argued with a KZbin 22lr long distance shooter and rifle builder about this. He claimed that he never, and there is no reason to break-in a barrel. In the next sentence he said that he only laps the barrel before he shoots. I think it’s basically the same thing. He disagreed. I called him an idiot. Now I think he’s blocked me. In short, I think it does something, but I don’t know what for sure. It’s just always worked for me.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I agree, though I wonder if its just residue from the factory burning off, or just depositing some initial copper or fouling in the barrel.

[@BadoreksDailys]

I’ve always done some sort of a “break in” but not nearly as detailed as a lot of folks recommend. I keep my guns in tip top shape though. More of a long term maintenance thing than “breaking it in” per say. My rifles seem to be the happiest after around 200 rounds.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I find that very interesting. People say many similar things and no companies or gun smiths have been able to give a consistent answer why, that satisfies me. But I don't doubt it. I do doubt attributing it to a mythical break in process though lol.

[@BadoreksDailys]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide For sure. I guess "break in" might be an extreme word for what I do. I do believe there are always micro imperfections in the metal that eventually smoothen out. Also with the chrono the rifles seem to speed up somewhere between 180-240 rounds give or take. That's roughly when I consider it "fully broken in" but that's likely more so when I am fully comfortable with the rifle. I don't believe there is "20 round break in and then it's the exact same for the next 1,000 rounds." Barber creek has some good videos on the topic.

[@raymondbuie5292]

I personally lap with snug cotton patch loaded with JB Bore Paste wetted with a bit of Kroil. Chamber guide in use or bore guide if cannot be cleaned from receiver. 15-20 passes depending on the smoothness of the barrel inside. You are smoothing out tooling marks , metal burrs etc… what you are doing with all that ammo. Clean out with solvent patches and dry ones. Not the method but has worked very well for me for many years….

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

So you are the cost of the ammo then?

[@raymondbuie5292]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide I handload everything so I rarely in past 30 years have put factory anything through one of my personal guns. In many groundhog/predator rifles that i load for obviously accuracy in sole intent . I picked this up from bench rest shooters years ago. If you were asking if it’s the cost of ammo that makes me do it this way … not particularly, it the effectiveness and efficiency of the method that does. Obviously, working up very nice accurate loads one might go through 100 rounds anyway . I want them all to have fair reasonable beginning in new barrel

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for sharing!@@raymondbuie5292

[@MATT_ELEKTRON]

Excellent. Iv been doing something very close to this. Along with taking the whole gun apart. Clean. Deburr. Polish. Grease/oil. Locktight. Torque. I was so surprised to learn that most people do not do this

[@raymondbuie5292]

@@MATT_ELEKTRON yes , of course at this stage I am doing same and scope base machine screws , install scope, ring machine screws al get Loctite treatment after all holes degreased and threads of both also. Action bolts .

[@jaykuykendall9925]

I have found that breaking in a new rifle involves breaking in the shooter to be comfortable shooting the gun more than making the rifle more accurate

[@bobgordon1754]

Back in the 1960s a gun writer was up against a deadline without a subject to write about. He had the bright idea to write an article about barrel break-in. He made the whole thing up. It really sounded good and someone repeated it. It was immediately the gospel and everyone who didn't go through this elaborate ritual was considered illiterate and unlearned. Even the barrel makers fell victim. It was like the childhood story," the king has no clothes ". Shooting the gun will do the same thing.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

That sounds about right.

[@bobgordon1754]

My source for that was the shooting editor of field and stream magazine.

[@camwinston5248]

So this fellow was the Anthon Fauchi of gun writers...a liar !

[@johnhow6971]

Kinda like how spinach got blessed as having so much iron value. Turns out someone made a mistake on the decimal point but nobody ever made the correction so spinach has "more" iron than it really does. Kinda like a Covid "vaccine" that doesn't "vaccinate" but hey, why correct a lie if it sounds so good and money can be made! Money - that stuff that makes the world go round! Bingo! Aim small, miss small. Thanks for all your research and relaying it to us!

[@michaelhill6451]

I'm a Mechanical Engineer who enjoys the shooting sports and I can tell you I don't believe break-in is necessary/does anything. There's absolutely no proof it accomplishes anything a rain-dance wouldn't also accomplish.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Well, there is one thing. You don't need to buy solvent and cleaning patches to do the rain dance!

[@rosswitte]

Thanks for doing the work!

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for watching!

[@BigJimSlade67]

To save you some time, here is Weatherbys break in procedure. Us with caution! LOL What does Weatherby recommend as a break in procedure? On Our Mark: Episode 11 - Barrel Break-In Barrel break-in can be performed through a number of different procedures. It is important to note that our testing shows that not all barrels require the same amount of break-in. Many of our Weatherby rifles get close to their accuracy potential during break-in but accuracy continues to improve with more shooting. We suggest a 20 shot break-in, utilizing two different factory loads (load 1 and load 2) to begin understanding desired barrel accuracy. If desired, after the break-in, begin experimental shooting with different factory loads as each barrel's accuracy is dependent on load and bullet combinations. Our procedure is as follows: 1. Clean the barrel* 2. Fire 3 shots (Load 1) 3. Clean the barrel* 4. Fire 3 shots (Load 2) 5. Clean the barrel* 6. Fire 3 shots (Load 1) 7. Clean the barrel* 8. Fire 3 shots (Load 2) 9. Clean the barrel* 10. Fire 3 shots (Load 1) 11. Let Barrel Cool 12. Fire 5 shots (Load 2) 13. Clean the Barrel* *Recommended Bore Cleaning Procedure: 1. Run several patches with bore cleaner/copper solvent down the barrel 2. Brush the barrel with at least 10 strokes 3. Run 2 patches soaked in bore cleaner/copper solvent 4. Brush the barrel with at least 5 strokes 5. Run patches soaked in bore cleaner/copper solvent through until patches come out clean 6. Run 2 dry patches through the barrel 7. Run a small amount of lubricant through the barrel before storage

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I'm ok with letting the barrel cool between groups. The rest, I'm not so sure about. lol

[@ExFed2021]

I would have liked to see a few barrel manufacturers included in the list, but overall very well done. My thought has always been: clean it when new, sight it in which generally only takes a few shots and then clean it again. After that, I consider her good to go.

[@sax5055]

Checkout the YT vid: “Barrel Maker John Kreiger on Barrell Break In, Cleaning, Lifespan, Optimal Length & Effect of Heat on” He’s kinds dry-funny. He stated, “Less cleaning the better.” And later said, “When the gun stops shooting, that’s a good sign to clean it.” 😂 He doesn’t have a recommendation on break-in.

[@svenno9951]

Thank you for the detailed video and extensive research you shared with us on this never-ending question.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for watching!

[@classicrocker889]

The Higher End Rifles.not needing any cleaning vs. Less expensive Rifles that require some break in. Sounds good to me. Great Video.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks so much!

[@jeffmurphy9987]

I’m 54 been behind the trigger since I could walk. No break-in necessary. I guess if you wanna waste ammo so be it. Either the gun shoots well or it doesn’t. On high power rifles you’re just using up valuable barrel life.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks!

[@scott2228]

Calling all those companies earned a 👍 and subscribed.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks so much!

[@bent5434]

Thanks for the video!

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for watching Ben!

[@burkejones8277]

I basically did the same thing you suggested towards the end with the last rifle I bought. I don’t know if it helped, but it didn’t hurt.

[@splitpin1764]

I think in the past machining techniques left more burrs and imperfections which made extra cleaning help in the break in period. Modern cold forged barrels are so well made that no special treatment is required. My recently bought Howa I fired 3 shots to zero, then a 5 shot group was 0.65 MOA. It shot good for 50 rounds then due to the suppressor creating carbon build up went out to just over an inch. Gave it a good clean and went back sub inch. Only cleaned the factory oil out and then the next at 50 rounds . The same goes with old engines needed careful break in, but modern engines are so precisely made they require little break in

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

That does make some sense there.

[@freecitizen7372]

A well made bolt action rifle doesn’t require break in. Clean the shipping oil off the gun. Oil the barrel. Then sight in the scope and use for hunting. The sight in should only take four shots at most.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Those are my thoughts too.

[@Manbunmen65]

Bought two 6.5 PRCs this year and a chronograph. At almost 50 years old it's the mid life crisis...need more guns. So I wanted to experiment for fun with many different factory loads, breaking in, chronographing along the way etc. Some things I found out so far. My 24 inch Bergara was faster than the 26 inch Browning out of the box. A clean barrel is slower than one with 6 rounds through it and the point of aim shifts as well. Barrel speed up is true, at least in the Bergara because I only have about 50 rounds through the Browning so far. In a shot string the jump in velocity can be dramatic from cold bore to round 3 or 5. In the Bergara with 130 grain terminal ascent the cold bore is around 3060(60 fps faster than box) 2nd shot will be around 3120 and 3rd sometimes reaches 3180. Extreme spread sucks but in the Browning no such increase as was immediately in the Bergara going through the "break in process". At this point the Bergara was faster generally than where the Browning is now. Just chronographed Barnes 127 LRX in the Browning. It was low 2900s and the box is 3010...that ammo is for sale on Gunbroker now. Is it because the barrel isn't "broken in?" Or is it the ammo is weak? Well I also bought some Choice ammo 120 LRX and it is very consistent in the 3160s with no dramatic jump from cold bore to the 3rd shot and near box velocities. So basically the only way to really know what your rifle is doing is to chronograph it over time.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Interesting! But I do not believe these results would be impacted over the long run by a ritualistic cleaning process between shots.

[@jacttackle57]

This issue is super subjective you just opened up a hornet’s nest great subject lots of people don’t understand the importance of proper firearm break in

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

After this research talking to gun makers, I'm not sure I understand the importance either.

[@strixt]

It's so important that nobody can even tell you the actual effects of it! Super duper important.

[@spencertrump5608]

Barrel break in used to be necessary, when machining processes were rougher, with modern barrels and machining as good as it is, it is completely unnecessary to break in a barrel.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks!

[@nichmaus8705]

100% line bore and broached barrels will have machining marks. Hammer forged barrels will not have those marks/burrs.

[@TODinWY]

O.K., now you need to follow through with BARREL MAKERS. Good vid.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks. So who makes the barrells for these companies?

[@TODinWY]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide Wilson would be a start. Ruger makes their own. Savage, I'm not sure. Ace might be another.

[@jameshovey8301]

​@TheNewHuntersGuide Bartlien, Krieger, Brux, Hart, Benchmark. All make thier own custom barrels

[@drak3y]

My first thought was that your suggestion is silly, as the factors of the rifle (primarily heat mechanics) means that you cant separate the two. But then I actually thought about it. I'm a bit shocked at some of the manufacturer's responses. What if the barrel manufacturer's recommendation is equally shocking. What if it differs from the rifle manufacturer's guidance? This indeed would be interesting!! Great suggestion.

[@drak3y]

@@TODinWY Savage makes their own.

[@jamespollard1670]

I clean the bore on a new rifle . I then shoot it and do normal cleanings every 100 or so rounds . I don't buy into others theories . Some who believe in barrel break in are flat earthers I hear .

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Ha, I could give you more evidence for flat earth than barrell break in lol

[@jamespollard1670]

Haha@@TheNewHuntersGuide

[@Off-target-xy6bx]

Thx for the work we appreciate it 👍👍

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for watching!

[@skinnypedaldown5044]

Of course weatherby has a break in. They want you to buy their completely proprietary ammo. 🤣

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I didn't think about that!!!

[@ricblic901]

I recently bought a 556 rifle have put maybe 200 rounds through at the range, so far no problems on the rifle side the shooter well that's a different story but I'll probably use some boar cleaner with some patches today to clean it for the first time.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

There ya go!

[@ottokittel709]

as a bench rest, long range shooter and hunter with over 60 years of experience, I use a bore scope. (very cheap to buy now from a Amazon) I take a photo of new barrel before I shoot it, then after 50 rounds inspect and photo again. after actually seeing to the condition of the barrel, can you make a knowledgeable decision or course of action. every barrel is different, and every shooter is different. saw a young man shoot 40 rounds as fast as he could shoot with a new rifle. the barrel was so hot, and the lands and rifling in that barrel had copper fowling and the rifle never shot a good group after that. He came to me for help, deep barrel cleaning of all the copper build up, shot it again 1 fowling shot then the rifle shot a 3/4 inch group. inspect your barrel!

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Good call

[@genekelley7579]

🛑🛑 I talked directly to one of the Weatherby Boys….. I did what he told me, and my Weatherby Mark V with the SS AccuMark Barrel, in 257 Weatherby Magnum; drives tacks at 100 yards. 😀👍💯

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

That's great! I just wonder if I would have done just as well had you not contacted them.

[@genekelley7579]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide I usually just pull them out of the box, and straighten them out; and carry them (I’m Old School, since I’m Old😂) But…since it was a high end gun, I thought I would ask; and follow the recommendations, since it came from one of the owners that returned my phone call. 😀👍💯 It took a full day to complete the process, and in the end the gun is AWESOME!! But to your point, would it have been the same just taking 5 shots; and calling it a day?

[@indianacreekwalker4474]

Bought a custom 212 Savage for meat shoots... extended heavy barrel.....about a $2500 gun...the guy who built the gun said you just need to shoot it....clean it normally as you would any gun....its a large investment to get wrong....honestly i just think thats what you need to do...shoot and clean as if you would any gun you have had....over time it will get more accurate

[@geraldqualls7439]

I've done it both ways and can see a bit of difference either way. I just bought a ruger predator in 204 ruger caliber I checked the barrel for obstructions and started shooting it. Cleaned it after 5 shots and it group's 1/2 at 100yds

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Hard to do better than that.

[@josephmarciano4761]

Not exactly a rifle break-in issue, but maybe a cautionary tale: Bought a Mossberg 930 shotgun mid-2021, but couldn't get out to hunt until 2024. It had sat in the box for almost 3 years, and unknown how long at the Dealer before I got it. Finally took it out to pattern this month and it wouldn't fire. It made a barely audible click when the trigger was pulled. The pin wasn't striking the primer. Nothing. Upon tearing it down, I found the inside packed with a thick red grease. The hammer, firing pin and spring were "frozen" solid in this gunk. After much washing with mineral spirits everything moved freely and it fired just fine. Clean it when you bring it home new! The build quality of the 930 is another story.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Good advice!

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you.

[@Jay-Niner]

Franchi is actually owned by Beretta (which would have also covered Sako & Tikka) and Sauer is owned by Blaser (which in turn also owns Mauser).

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Its a tangled web really.

[@m444ss]

this is great info!

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thank you!

[@h2recoveryteam2]

I have worked at a gunsmith/gun store for over 15 years. We built custom rifles and were warranty and fix breaks for many different brands of firearms. You could call ever firearms mfg out there and ask what their trigger pull is. They will not tell you. Same as with break in for barrels. In turn. I went and asked Hart Premium barrels what they recommended? With that. They told me this. If it is just a hunting rifle. Clean and oil like you normally would. If it is an Air Gauge barrel. Do the 1 shot and clean 10 times. Then 2 shots and clean 10 time and start moving your scope for impact. Then 3 shots and clean. He also added this. Use Barnes CR-10 and a nylon brush only. Along with a caliber jag for the patch. With all that. You wet patch and the brush 10 strokes. And in and out is counted as one stroke. When you finish the brush. Use a jag and patch. Push it out the end of barrel and get a new patch. Push like that until your patch comes out clean. Mine take 4 to 6 patches to be clean. Then when finished shooting for the day. Repeat wet patch, brush and dry patch until clean. THEN use a oil patch to coat the inside so it does not rust up on you. Now, days later or whenever you shoot it again. Wet patch it and then push dry patch until it comes out clean. No need for a fowl out or fowling shots. My bullseyes are spot on for my first shot. As there is no oil in barrel. Last custom rifle I built. I got a brand new take off barrel that we took the action and bult a custom rifle out of. I took that barrel and put it in a vice. Cleaned it as much as I could for about 5 days while working. Then sent it out to have the barrel cryogenic treated. Pilar bedded stock and trued the action. Rifle barrel was a Rem 700 in 22-250 and A Kiplinger single set trigger. Normal was set at two pounds and the set was set at 2 once's. After break in period, I shot a three shot, shot group. WOW I was impressed. Took the target to work and had another gunsmith measure it. After measuring it. He asked, What caliber? 22-250. He said OK, 0.224 in bullet. The widest I could make the shot group was 0.338. That makes you shot group a 0.114 in group. Your bullet points are touching.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

But how would you ever know if that was just the quality of the barrell or the elaborate cleaning process? Or if just taking the same number of shots and cleaning at the end would produce the same results? How do we take this from ritual to empirical?

[@h2recoveryteam2]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide I just know that with the gunsmiths I worked with, when I asked how to do this. The owner said call, so and so at Douglas barrel and ask them. And the way I wrote it is how, is how he told me to do it. With that, I took this thought path. I know firearm MFG will not truly tell you anything outside of what is in each handout with the firearm. The barrel MFG, I figured would tell me how to improve their barrels and not switch to another brand. Wanting me to keep the barrel in tip top order. As for an answer to your question of How? I do not know either. Just know the way I do it or have done it. I have 20 year old rifles that shoot just as good now as they did brand new.

[@gelssonreyes6582]

Thanks for doing this

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks for watching!

[@BilgePump]

I did it on a new Mini14. Does it make a difference IDK. Do u only get 1 chance to do it yup. Besides I was sighting it in on the same time so why not.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Interesting, I haven't heard much of it being done with semis. I wonder if the military does it at all. I suspect not.

[@BilgePump]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide I don’t know what the difference would be that it’s a autoloader however I suspect your right concerning the military in general. It would be interesting to consult the sniper schools though. i wonder what they would say.

[@Palo_Duro]

You said after research there is no consensus about what to do. But looking at you manufacturer list, there is near-unanimous consensus stating that you don't need to do squat (except for Winchester and Browning saying some of their cheap crap needs a break in.) Tells me, too many people don't read their manuals and rely on internet folk tales more than anything else. Good video, thanks.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

True story. I was trying to let people down more gently, lol.

[@bobgordon1754]

All that stuff does is get the rough spots out that the barrel maker left. A patch with chrome polish will work very well to smooth it up.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks!

[@Phalanx443]

Been shooting since I was 8, never even heard of such nonsense, breaking in a barrel, pah-lezze. 22yrs in the Army, never heard of breaking in a barrel - ever. Shoot the thing, clean it, get your rifle ready for the next range day/hunt. Break-in a barrel, what utter garbage.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

You mean the military doesn't have a team of people doing nothing but breaking in rifle barrells? Lol

[@12vibaba]

agreed

[@markfarrell1871]

Great video. Well done

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks so much!

[@jturner5227]

Best break in tool is a bore scope. If you don't have one you have no idea what's in the barrel.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

But does the break in process do anything more than regular shooting would do?

[@doghousedon1]

Awesome vid sir, thanks. My personal procedure is clean first, take a shot, and clean. Then, I put cleaning things away and start shooting. One thing in all this that makes no sense is some claim breaking in a bore polishes it and leaves a slick coat of copper making for better accuracy. Then they clean with a copper solvent. Can anyone explain that thinking to me? A third follow-up question you could have asked was, "How did you determine that?" Courious how a couple guys said to break in the cheaper models. What's with that? Again, thanks for the vid.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks so much! Yea, it doesn't all line up

[@C0CKYp0ps]

LOL. Out the box, under the scope, confirm action & firing pin. Few shots to zero in. For hunting < 500 yds, it’s broke in. 👍

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Right on!

[@clintcomer8349]

I have yet to find someone cover this topic willing to buy two identical rifles and do break-in procedures on one rifle and just shoot the other rifle for the same amount of rounds, clean them both and then compare the groups of both rifles. If concerned about variability among identical barrels affecting the results, then the experiment could be done with a batch of identical rifles in each group.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Due to the very small deviations you are trying to measure across a batch of barrells and the great variance between barrell ammo combinations would need about 100 barrells in each group with about 100 rounds of ammo per barrell. So 200 barrells and 20,000 rounds to get statistically significant results that account for all the variables. Maybe more. It's financially impractical to do. Only the largest barrell manufacturers have the scale and resources to do it right, putting the barrells in vices in an indoor 100 yard range. And they gain nothing from doing it. Best bet is just do what your manual says to do.

[@aaronburson1427]

I've heard about breaking in a rebuilt engine. Several different ways. Just rebuild, drive for a while and retightn head, intake and exhaust bolts. Done.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Haha, I think there is probably something to that.

[@dougkahler7152]

I never clean past 3 shots. Then I go to the range shoot say a box then clean it when I come home my rifles are so accurate after that that I’m a believer your just wasting barrel life!

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Not to mention wasting your time, money, and solvent!

[@gk5891]

While the theory makes sense I don't know that anyone has ever been able to prove any gains. If they exist they appear to be within the statistical noise.

[@ryanguldbrandsen7672]

Just skip to 10:00. Thats where the list is.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Sure, you can do that. If you don't want context to know what the list means.

[@ryanguldbrandsen7672]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide Your title gives the context.

[@remoman]

Now ask the barrel makers.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

And who would they be if they are not the gun makers?

[@joeljoel233]

PTR has a recommended breakin procedure that's very extensive. It's even documented in the owner's manual.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Good. Always follow the manual for sure!

[@ragnarrloobrok70]

Rifle break in has everything to do with the manufacturing process. Not all barrels are produced with the same attention to detail and process. Mass produced rifles typically have tooling marks left behind in the rifling after manufacturing. This is what needs removing/smoothing aka break in. There is also another reason for manufacturers having break in processes and that is all barrels have a round count life span and break in gets you there faster and needing a new rifle. Not all companies have break in requirements. The truth is a rifle or barrel that is produced with the highest attention to detail especially having been lapped will need no break in. My opinion is to shoot the rifle and enjoy it. It will speed up after a few rounds but that is it.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I don't disagree with you. Shooting a gun effects the barrel, period. I take issue with these elaborate break-in processes that ascribe mythic qualities to repeatedly cleaning between certain numbers of shots.

[@jwhitaker81]

Every round you fire through a barrel is slowly breaking it down and shooting it out. Some barrels shoot better after 10, 20, 50... rounds. I personally would not attempt any sort of manual break in. Just shoot it until the accuracy wains and it's not you are having a bad day or week. Then clean it when accuracy actually falls off. If you don't know how to clean a gun barrel properly, you'll FAFO. IMHO. Learn shooting fundamentals and get really personal with that rifle before you go reaming it out. Good job man, excellent content!

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks so much!

[@nichmaus8705]

Kimber recommend a break in procedure for my mountain ascent. They sent me a lengthy doc about it.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Really, interesting.

[@nichmaus8705]

Was about 10 years ago

[@jeffbarris8172]

Never really thought about it before, God bless you and go get them in the marsh

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks Jeff!

[@DM-w5o]

Shooting for 60 years. New rifle, clean it before going to the range. Bore sight it, take it to the range and shoot it (don’t worry about number of rounds, except for tracking barrel round count). Get an initial zero. Take it home, clean it. Next range session, check cold bore point of impact, refer sights and shoot for groups. Clean it after every range session except before hunting. Before hunting, leave the bore fouled and check point of impact on a cold bore. Basically, barrel break-in is nothing more than shooting the rifle.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

How far are you shooting game?

[@DM-w5o]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide longest shot I ever took was a little over 200. I grew up in WY. My dad taught me that if I had to shoot longer than 250, I didn’t know how to hunt.

[@williamhawkins7282]

New, out of the box: dry patch through once and no return, remove & exam then borescope. Wet patch if necessary. Fire a round and borescope. NO mag dumps for 40 or so shots, then borescope. This includes the zeroing, and different ammunition (annotating results). Range clear, fire when ready...

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

What are you looking for with the bore scope?

[@williamhawkins7282]

@TheNewHuntersGuide any type of bur. Anything out of the ordinary around the gas port, muzzle, and chamber. I have never returned one, but it's possible if I'm not satisfied...

[@BigTimberLodge]

Now this is a great content! I really hope this gets seen by more people, but the firearms cleaning supply mafia will keep it suppressed.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Haha, thank you so much!

[@LongHairPat]

Maybe a break-in isn’t required, but the over use of air quotes should be a misdemeanor.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Ha

[@Bigfish1day]

Not sure that this matters but I clean and lube before shooting, after I shoot 20 rounds, more more than 5 in a row, I clean and lube. As far as I’m concerned, it’s broke in. Never missed my game animal after that process.

[@bobchronister3429]

The Sig Cross calls for a break in for the barrel. I just got one.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

That is surprising to me based on the nature of the rifle. Thanks.

[@tiputipu777]

The only thing breaking in a barrel does is it smooths out the tooling marks from the chambering process. The only reason to clean after say the first 5 shots is if you dont want to clean a bigger amount of crud once the session is over

[@waltergurly4040]

Nice job

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks!

[@dw5523]

Similar myths with motorcycle engines. We don't break in any other manufactured product, but for some reason there's these persistent myths about rifle barrels and motorcycle engines. Bottom line, if a company is manufacturing a product that isn't ready to do it's job when the customer buys it, then they dropped the ball - like Sig using paying customers to beta test their designs.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I agree! They should at least tell the customer what they need to do as well, if something indeed needed to be done.

[@m444ss]

ps - Weatherby ==> so, spend an extra $70-$140 on an extra box of ammo (but won't hurt if you don't do it)...got it. pps - my range is not going to let me clean the rifle on site, so as far as cleaning after every third shot... there's a particular Weatherby rifle in a particular cartridge that I want ... and beyond sighting it in, there will be no break in. ;-)

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Yea, their ammo is not cheap. That definitely would incentivize me to not do a "break in process" lol.

[@mikeanshit158]

Barrel break in procedures only exist because people keep asking barrel makers what the barrel break in precision is. I ll follow the word of a champion f class shooter. No break in is needed

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks!

[@mikeanshit158]

Procedure*

[@michelletrafton3157]

Christensen Arms 50 to 60 SHOTS with crazy cleaning in between 5-6 rounds.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Is that in the manual?

[@michelletrafton3157]

Yes

[@paulh32042]

So its my experience that a barrel need to be fouled to be accurate. I reload, so I have to fireform brass too. So the drawn out process of shooting and cleanings doesn’t bother me as far as if its necessary. I like that the time between shots is occupied by something productive, or definitely not detrimental to the gun. Everyone has an opinion of if break-in is necessary, but not claims it's potentially detrimental to the gun. Best practices folks. The amount of time we waste researching inconclusive or subjective results is often better spent just doing the damn thing. And also a point of experience, manufacturers are NOT the best source of unbiased information about their products. I'm not going to bother explaining why that is.

[@Windwalker_Outdoors]

Interesting video

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks!

[@davidlaney8254]

What I find amusing is how some of the same guys who are never pleased with factory ammo, somehow believe barrels that come straight from a factory need no further attention.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I tend to think factories are putting out relatively good stuff in recent years.

[@abcertweld]

If you want to waste ammo and get use to a new rifle do a break in regiment. Break in on a rifle is not needed. I guess I really suck because 5 shot group can be covered with a dime at 100 yards, with factory ammo. The key try different ammo and find out which one your rifle likes the best.

[@ausoutdoors7296]

Good info. What would have been interesting to know as well is what process their barrels are manufactured with. I'm assuming most are hammer forged which I've found are alot smoother than cut rifled barrels.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I think it differs even within some companies based on the line of rifles. Sometimes the better or cheaper ones are made different ways, sometimes in different places.

[@JosephIzzo-jx2sq]

That may be good for over the counter sales. For match barrels yes. All custom barrel makers have break in companies like Bartlein Scheiln.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

But why? What does it do? Or are they just responding to consumer expectation?

[@strixt]

That's false. Many custom/ higher end barrel manufacturers say it's not needed or helpful in any way. If they do recommend one, it's because you wear down your barrel faster and have to buy a new one.

[@SnoMoJoe1]

Best Like-and-Subscibe groveling on KZbin. Seriously, thanks for doing this research. 😊

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Haha, I try to change it up.

[@magwamagwa45110]

would be great to ask Barrel Manufacturers like Bartline, Brux, Proof research, Hart, etc they I bet would have a different answer ? Maybe? great video.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Thanks!

[@icin4d]

Would have been interesting to have Mythbusters buy 2 identical guns, do a "break-in" on one, and just put several rounds through the other. Then cut the barrels in half length wise and compare them under an electron microscope.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

The problem with that is you would have to cut them in half and compare them before the break in and then again after. It's the only way to know for sure.

[@icin4d]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide Buy 3 guns. Cut one unfired to give you a base.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

@@icin4d Yea, it just doesn't work that way. Every barrel is an individual. You can't compare one to another. You could compare 100 to 100. But you'd need some special kinda funding to run that test.

[@upinya5223]

I just bought a CV Cascade XT and in the manual it has a barrel break in procedure. 😮 your chart says CV doesn’t have a break in procedure.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Always follow your manual. I'm just reporting what each company told me.

[@stephenanderle5422]

It's not the barrel you are breaking in but the barrel stock fit. I,E the stock itself.

[@stephenanderle5422]

Actually the barrel should be free floating from chamber forward.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

How does the stock get broken in?

[@shaunharvey1112]

Interesting I’ve been shooting for 35 years or so I’ve never broken in a barrel but I hand load for my hunting / varmint-precision rifles only recently I’ve had an odd one I set up a new pig rifle Ar47 first 75 rounds thinking I’m gonna have to re-barrel this thing cuz I was getting minute of pole barn at 100 but with the same ammo out of my Ruger American shot sub moa out of box no B-I brought it to the range again the next 5 we’re touching it was like a light switch and has been shooting that way ever since I’ve only had to break in my 1911 target models for cycling in the years I’ve been shooting I’ve never had one that bad before some one asks it was a bca gen 2 side charger I have a few more in other calibers that are sub moa from those with factory ammo they were good out of the box probably drew the short straw on the bore on the ar47

[@drak3y]

I know this is about rifles, but I wonder how much pistols have influenced our feelings on break-ins. I bought a new Les Baer pistol 10 or so years ago. I needed 50 rounds to comfortably rack the slide (which was tighter than a Dutch tick with a haircut). Same with other pistols.

[@gabrielruiz3214]

I wonder if the results would be the same if custom barrel makers were asked? Kreiger, Lilja, Hart, Brux, Shilen, etc. I believe on average that shooters who invest more in their shooting equipment tend to error on the side of caution. What is there to lose? Time?, Components? Cleaning products? Most of the shooters I know who are invested in shooting will spend any amount of time (or money) to get the best out of their equipment. No downside to "breaking in" if good cleaning techniques are used.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Not sure. Asking them is a good idea.

[@gabrielruiz3214]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide No such thing as too much information...

[@sax5055]

I’m old, so listen up. No need to clean after every few shots. BUT, do NOT shoot past 50 yards for the first 7 shots, maybe 8. It may strain your barrel. After 7-8 shots at 50 yards, move to 100 yards for about 10 shots. Then you’re good to go for longer shots. Just don’t push it out too far on the first box of ammo. You’re welcome. Newbie’s need to be educated…make sure you say it with a straight face.

[@tjfishing2714]

😂😅

[@woodywoodpecker3643]

Make sure the bullets tell the barrel they are not shooting past 50 yards for the first 7-8 shots. After that if the barrel feels safe they are good to let loose and fly how they want. The barrel also needs safe words, mine says “hot coconuts” if it’s “feeing” uncomfortable with me shooting too fast or too far. My barrels pronouns are they/them in case you see us at the range.

[@fcastle4]

I wonder how much manufacturing, milling processes, and steel types have changed and affected whether break-in is (or was) necessary in the past compared to modern methods?

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

That is a good question.

[@brianschumaker5912]

There is no set break in on a barrel. I did a break in on my Savage 243. You have to let your patches tell you whats going on. I did a solvent clean first. Then one shot. Then solvent AND copper removal. I did this for the first five shots. Then I did groups of three with cleaning and copper removal between three shots groups. By the time I got to the second three shot group, I could notice a big difference in the copper staining on the patch. They got less and less as the brake and went on. By the time I got to twenty shots, I was getting very little copper return on the patch. What i'm doing is not necessarily a barrel breakin. I'm burnishing the barrel. Just let your patches tell you what's going on. It's. Called the powers of observation. That rifle still shoots Sub three quarter inch groups today. I look at it this way.... Spending a day at the range and doing a barrel "burnishing" in is far much more fun than doing the honeydo list.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Haha

[@jameswalsh2433]

You tried to contact Gun manufacturers. Talk to Barrel manufacturers

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

I'm good. This video took enough time and effort to make. I feel like this question is a wild goose chase anyway.

[@melvinsacromentoe]

Great vid. I feel like it’s BS but I don’t know. I will probably do a 5 shot break in and then just shoot from there

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

It just feels like bad religion to me. How will the gun know if you cleaned it after five shots or not?

[@melvinsacromentoe]

@@TheNewHuntersGuide lol good point

[@matortiz2322]

The way I see it is the more rounds you fire the more likely you are to wear it out instead of breaking it in

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Now that is a completely different video right there!

[@123tl]

Well than don’t shoot your gun, I’m sure it will last longer.

[@DCG550]

You can ask 10 different shooters how they break in their barrels, and you’ll get 10 different answers, with each one swearing that their method is right. Personally, I’m not so sure that it works, but I do it anyways, knowing that I’m not going to harm the barrel.

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Yup, that's why I asked the companies making the guns.