Ok, I will stir the pot. Let’s talk about “barrel break in”

SPB
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 07:50 (3145 days ago)

I have read the manual on a new Armalite touting it as a must, I have also read barrel maker McMillan’s comments from 18 years ago, he called BS. I agree. Let the comments begin.

I BREAK IN EVERY BARREL THE SAME WAY; SHOOTING IT.

JT
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 08:17 (3145 days ago) @ SPB

- No text -

Some of the most expensive blanks are

WB
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 08:43 (3145 days ago) @ SPB

"hand lapped". Basically painstakingly rubbed using an artistic method with varying grades of abrasive compounds and judicious cleaning in between.

Basically firearm masturbation, a manual method to simulate extensive shooting and cleaning! I know those guys that measure 10 shot groups at 200 yds. with a micrometer and have pet names for their brass, marks to turn it in the chamber consistently, etc. can prove a benefit and need. I get that.

For the average Joe, shooting and properly cleaning, not over cleaning or damaging with rods etc. will always be the best method in my view. The bore snake is an award worthy invention in my book!

if you want a good answer, call McMillan, the folks

Gary Reeder
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 12:50 (3145 days ago) @ SPB

that build most of our military sniper rifles and ask them. The noise you hear in the background is them laughing. Break in is a joke and a gimmick to make you think you are getting something super special and so unique that you have to go thru all the BS of breaking it. Like John Taffin says below, take it out, sight it in and go hunting.

From the benchrest crowd....

Dave H.
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 13:04 (3145 days ago) @ Gary Reeder

I can't recall the last time I saw a McMillan tube at a stool shoot, but nonetheless Shilen is a popular brand (along with Hart). You won't find a Douglas barrel among serious shooters. From the Shilen website:

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.

that is so much bullshit and makes absolutely no

Gary Reeder
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 13:41 (3145 days ago) @ Dave H.

difference except among the most anal shooters.

Re-read the first 3 sentences

Shilen
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 14:10 (3145 days ago) @ Gary Reeder

Looks like they are just setting a procedure because the customers want one.

Ditto

Dan Lilja
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 14:15 (3145 days ago) @ Shilen

- No text -

yeah, like beat me, whip me, make me feel good

Gary Reeder
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 14:55 (3145 days ago) @ Shilen

give the customer what he wants. We use Shilen or Douglas barrels mostly, with about an equal amount of McGowen barrels and they will all shoot an inch group at 100 in an Encore handgun barrel if we do our part. But again most hunters are not the extreme anal type, which is good.

McMillans notes were what convinced me it’s BS.

SPB
[subject]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 15:17 (3145 days ago) @ Gary Reeder

- No text -

powered by my little forum