Breaking in your barrel.

[St.Michael]

I know some don't think that is necessary, but I do. I was just wondering for those who do what their round count and what set up they liked to do. Just because I am a freak when it comes to making sure stuff is set up clean and right I will be doing

Clean after 1st round for 30 rounds.

Clean after 3 rounds for 60 rounds

clean after 5 rounds for 100 rounds.

I know it seems excessive, but hey I like excessive. :p

[JBnTX]

Totally excessive and unnecessary.

Cleaning rods can do a lot of damage
to the bore of a rifle.

Just shoot it.
Clean it when it gets dirty.

[St.Michael]

So don't believe in breaking it in or using cleaning rods? I have a coated one so it's not steel on steel

[The Archangel]

I broke in my Noveske Crusader:

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/128/11621/260817.jpg

With 1100+ rounds in a Magpul Dynamic (Advanced) Carbine 2 Course this weekend. :D

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/128/12813/261490.jpg

[JBnTX]

So don't believe in breaking it in or using cleaning rods?....



No, I don't believe in breaking in a barrel.
The "break in" (if there is such a thing) occurs naturally as you fire the gun.
Nothing you can do to help it, improve it or stop it from happening.

The only exception is a custom made, precision target rifle.
The AR barrel is far from that.

Nothing wrong with using a one piece coated rod, "carefully".

[mark5pt56]

From the Krieger Barrels site:

Stainless
5 one-shot cycles
1 three-shot cycle
1 five-shot cycle

Chrome moly
5 - 25 - one-shot cycles
2 - three-shot cycles
1 - five-shot cycle


http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/Break_In__Cleaning-c1246-wp2558.htm

What you propose is excessive. Obviously, no break in for chromed barrels.

Read the link to Krieger and make your own decision. I have no scientific data to support either one.

Mark

[RogerinTPA]

Over cleaning a chrome lined barrel for break in is an urban myth. Just lube moderately and shoot. ARs will run "Wet and Dirty" but not "Dry and Dirty". I shot as high as 2500+ rounds on my Colt with out cleaning and no malfunctions (Just cleaned it a couple of weeks ago). I just send a lubed patch down the barrel and lubed the BCG until it looks wet, when I go to the range. I also don't use a barrel brush. Just patches.

[GONIF]

Chrome lined barrels do not and never did need a break in , SS barrels are a horse of a differant color and I would follow the manufactures instructions .:D

[AMMOTECH]

Your weapon was shot at the factory and cleaned before it's shipped out.
No special care was taken. It was proofed at some point during the build, shot and then cleaned.

Clean, lube and shoot..... have fun.

.

[St.Michael]

well said fellas. though I do have a ss barrel I think. i gotta check

[Sabre675]

Cleaning rods can do damage, yes. But with a proper rod and bore guide you won't, and you can and should condition your barrel to have a more consistent performance throughout its life cycle.

Conditioning a barrel the MSTN way:

http://www.mstn.biz/index.php?option=com_easyfaq&task=view&id=7&Itemid=28

This is best for stainless but is also good advice for CL.

For CL you can also fire lap your barrel. Very simple.

IMHO;)

[Dave L.]

Breaking in a barrel is a myth- I don't think there is any scientific evidence proving it or disproving it.
If someone has hard technical evidence please post. I believe this to be one of topics where everyone has a different answer to a non issue.

FWIW- My bolt gun from GAP groups just as tight when I clean it between shots as is does when I shoot 30 rounds between cleanings.
My 4th, 5th, and 6th shot with the brand new barrel measured .545 inches at 100 yards - no break-in process will fix that "problem".

[RogerinTPA]

This is best for stainless but is also good advice for CL. For CL you can also fire lap your barrel. Very simple. IMHO;)


Read this thread on fire lapping barrels, which is not necessary with CL barrels, but hey, it's your barrel... IMHO, most of the blame on accuracy is on the shooter and not a high end AR like the Colt6920.

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=18321&highlight=fire+barrels

[JBnTX]

.....
Conditioning a barrel the MSTN way:

http://www.mstn.biz/index.php?option=com_easyfaq&task=view&id=7&Itemid=28....


That's just a gimmick to get you to buy those cleaning products.

You can do the same thing with Hoppes #9, BreakFree and about
200 rounds.

[Sabre675]

Read this thread on fire lapping barrels, which is not necessary with CL barrels, but hey, it's your barrel... IMHO, most of the blame on accuracy is on the shooter and not a high end AR like the Colt6920.

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=18321&highlight=fire+barrels


I've read articles for and an against fire lapping. I myself have no first hand experience doing so W/CL. Its process is simple. The only reason I choose to say it has merit is because Wes Grant, an industry professional I respect very much, says it does. Now it is a service he offers and not one he recommends to all. The results may be nominal. I do know that a hand conditioned SS Noveske Barrels is very consistent even with higher round count with little fouling. As stated earlier SS is a different beast.

[Sabre675]

That's just a gimmick to get you to buy those cleaning products.

You can do the same thing with Hoppes #9, BreakFree and about
200 rounds.


Not sure that Wes or Paul needs the money or needs to damage there reputation in building outstanding uppers by selling "gimmicks" such as cleaning products.

I'll restate. If you shoot a SS Noveske, Pac-nor what have you I'd personally would follow the advice outlined in the link. Side by side, 20 shot groups you'll be more consistant and have less fouling with a conditioned barrel. John Noveske recommends the same process with his barrels. I'm not sure that John has any stock in products either. :')CL do what you like.

Again, my opinion. Do as you want.

[mark5pt56]

Hey guys, this is going down a slippery slope. Unless you have some helpful information, leave the arguements out of it.