Tikka T3 Scout barrel break in question

[polymorpheous]

Not my rifle.
Not my groups.
Really not my problem.

Thank you all for your input, let's let this one die.

[polymorpheous]

I know some guys who make a living selling aftermarket products for Tikka rifles.

Who are long-range benchrest-types.

They have a "barrel break-in procedure" for Tikkas on their website. But they also say that it is completely unnecessary with Sako's cold hammer forged barrels (which are what are used with Tikka rifles). Given the size groups they are able to wring from their rifles and the size groups I have seen others wring from their Tikkas without any barrel break-in whatsoever, I am inclined to believe them.

Thank you for this post.
It was truly helpful.

I told my brother to not worry about it and keep shooting.
I also told him he needs to shoot 5 round groups minimum.
10 round groups are preferred.

[MarshallDodge]

Over the last 20+ years, I have spent the time to break-in barrels in the following calibers: 22LR, 223, 243, 6mm Rem, 30-06, and 308.

Recently I had my first custom barrel installed, a Bartlein stainless 1:8 twist in 6.5x47 Lapua. I asked the gunsmith what I should do for break-in and he said to shoot until accuracy started to fall off before cleaning. At about 50 rounds the gun started to shoot awesome, under 1/2" at 100 yards and am nearing 100 rounds without cleaning the gun.

Every gun/caliber/barrel is a little different but my thoughts on break-in have definitely changed.

[R-762wt]

I'm one of those who think barrel break in is a myth in that there is some specific process you need to follow in order to achieve max accuracy from your tube.

HOWEVER, I have owned six different precision rifles now and I will say that the groups become "consistent" after the first 25-50 rounds. Up front, this occurrence indicates that something is happening with the mechanics of the rifle. But, I don't believe a prescribed process needs to be followed to get to the same point you would by just normal trigger pulling and barrel cleaning.

I have a new bolt gun coming in next week (Rem 700 AAC-SD 16.5" 308 cal) and I plan on documenting the groups and how they change over time. I am going to start by firing it straight out of the box, and then tracking the accuracy progression as I install aftermarket parts. If I determine an actual round count where groups became consistent (if there is one), I'll throw it up in this thread as a point of reference.


O...he was in the infantry, thats your problem (I Kid, 11's for life)

[titsonritz]

Hart says break-in is not needed:

http://hartbarrels.com/faq.php

"What do you recommend for barrel break-in?"

"We do not believe that a break in procedure is required with our barrels. If you follow our normal cleaning procedure, outlined in this brochure, you should not have any problems with your new rifle. You always want to clean your rifle as often as your course of fire will allow. If you have time to shoot one and clean, that would be fine, but we personally do not feel it is necessary. Please be sure to only use the cleaning solvents listed in our cleaning instructions."

Shilen also says break-ins are not needed but they do provide one:

http://www.shilen.com/faq.html#question10

"How should I break-in my new Shilen barrel?"

"Break-in procedures are as diverse as cleaning techniques. Shilen, Inc. introduced a break-in procedure mostly because customers seemed to think that we should have one. By and large, we don't think breaking-in a new barrel is a big deal. All our stainless steel barrels have been hand lapped as part of their production, as well as any chrome moly barrel we install. Hand lapping a barrel polishes the interior of the barrel and eliminates sharp edges or burrs that could cause jacket deformity. This, in fact, is what you are doing when you break-in a new barrel through firing and cleaning.
Here is our standard recommendation: Clean after each shot for the first 5 shots. The remainder of the break-in is to clean every 5 shots for the next 50 shots. During this time, don't just shoot bullets down the barrel during this 50 shot procedure. This is a great time to begin load development. Zero the scope over the first 5 shots, and start shooting for accuracy with 5-shot groups for the next 50 shots. Same thing applies to fire forming cases for improved or wildcat cartridges. Just firing rounds down a barrel to form brass without any regard to their accuracy is a mistake. It is a waste of time and barrel life."

[kevN]

I'm one of those who think barrel break in is a myth in that there is some specific process you need to follow in order to achieve max accuracy from your tube.

HOWEVER, I have owned six different precision rifles now and I will say that the groups become "consistent" after the first 25-50 rounds. Up front, this occurrence indicates that something is happening with the mechanics of the rifle. But, I don't believe a prescribed process needs to be followed to get to the same point you would by just normal trigger pulling and barrel cleaning.

I have a new bolt gun coming in next week (Rem 700 AAC-SD 16.5" 308 cal) and I plan on documenting the groups and how they change over time. I am going to start by firing it straight out of the box, and then tracking the accuracy progression as I install aftermarket parts. If I determine an actual round count where groups became consistent (if there is one), I'll throw it up in this thread as a point of reference.


O...he was in the infantry, thats your problem (I Kid, 11's for life)

I think this is just initial copper fouling of the barrel.

[scoutchris]

Just shoot the damn thing. I have a B4 ASI, and I spent a year working with soldiers who use their first names who have attended similar schools. The consensus among people whose round impacts affect their mortality is the same- shoot the ****er, it's more accurate than you.

[polymorpheous]

Just shoot the damn thing. I have a B4 ASI, and I spent a year working with soldiers who use their first names who have attended similar schools. The consensus among people whose round impacts affect their mortality is the same- shoot the ****er, it's more accurate than you.

Your input would have been greatly appreciated had you actually read the thread.

Let me reiterate for the members out there who are too lazy to read...

It is not my rifle.

I told the owner to shoot it and clean it when accuracy falls off.

I asked near the beginning of the thread for quantifiable example and to be spared the regurgitated hyperbole.

[scoutchris]

Hey, High-Speed. Just got back here to read this thread and saw this articulate reply. Let me go ahead and quote you, since I am too lazy to read...

"Problem is, he did not break the barrel in.
I'm not even sure if he cleaned it before he shot it.

He's the hard headed infantry veteran, knows lots about the infantry's messed up way of doing things.
Claims to know why its important for a proper break in for a precision rifle.
Don't ask me why he didn't do it correctly.

Can this barrel still be broken in correctly?
Is the throat going to polish and wear correctly or did he just kill the serviceable life of this barrel?"

You referred to it as a problem, probably due to your extensive DOPE books you have compiled on various weapons systems, on various continents, at various elevations, from the very beginning of the service life of the barrels... No?

Throat polishing? That's right up there with height over bore ratio in a semi-automatic handgun argument.

And my "regurgitated hyperbole" came from my time as a Scout/Sniper in the Army and the year I spent on a combat outpost in Iraq with a rather well known ODA, who had 4 members who had graduated SOTIC, you know, that thing you read about or watched on TV. Thanks for belittling me from a keyboard on the internet though dude, you win.

Edit: I've got more than enough frequent flier miles to fly you down here to teach me how to shoot, just tell me when and I'll get you a ticket.

[polymorpheous]

Your contribution to this thread is noted.
Note: No one belittled you.