Barrel break in.

[Stinky Coyote]

lol, seeing all the points here, from hunting big picture to competition, some good info for all

i'm definitely in the hunting camp but still love to read about the highest level side to lend an idea to what's necessary for what i build, there's only so many hours in a day so want to be efficient for intended purpose

edit, chuck beat me to it

[HW223]

Originally Posted by chuck

To say that my barrel needs breaking in because guys shooting benchrest break their barrels in is disingenuous at best. My wife doesn’t need formula 1 racing tires on the car so she is more efficient at getting groceries. Let’s face it. There is more to winning a formula 1 race than the tires, and driving a formula 1 racing car in town, not only increases the cost of groceries, it makes it more difficult to carry your groceries home.

That’s why I posted a picture of that rifle. We have people telling the world here that they need formula 1 racing tires on their SUV.

And people telling the world that suv tires will work on a formula 1 .
Apples and oranges

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by HW223

And people telling the world that suv tires will work on a formula 1 .
Apples and oranges

Prove to me that hunting rifles need barrel break in. We know by the “other” thread that there is exactly nobody else here worried about breaking in their BR rifle. So I hope you can appreciate my audience.

[HW223]

Originally Posted by chuck

Prove to me that hunting rifles need barrel break in. We know by the “other” thread that there is exactly nobody else here worried about breaking in their BR rifle. So I hope you can appreciate my audience.

Apples and oranges

[Norwest Alta]

If it makes you gun shoot better why wouldn't you go the extra mile to get the most out of you investment.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by HW223

Apples and oranges

No. More like Apples to Durian.

[260 Rem]

I'm at the Range upward of 200 days/year and talk to a lot of rifle shooters, most of whom are hunters ...tuning loads and practicing by shooting at paper. Without exception, they are always looking to improve groups (as am I). So, if breaking in a new barrel or keeping copper out of the bore results in the potential to move group aggs in a particular barrel from the 5s into the 4s ....or 4s into 3s ... or 3s into 2s ........ I am game. Just because I don't need to shoot better, doesn't mean I shouldn't. To each their own.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

If it makes you gun shoot better why wouldn't you go the extra mile to get the most out of you investment.

Because you will not see the difference. At all.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

I'm at the Range upward of 200 days/year and talk to a lot of rifle shooters, most of whom are hunters ...tuning loads and practicing by shooting at paper. Without exception, they are always looking to improve groups (as am I). So, if breaking in a new barrel or keeping copper out of the bore results in the potential to move group aggs in a particular barrel from the 5s into the 4s ....or 4s into 3s ... or 3s into 2s ........ I am game. Just because I don't need to shoot better, doesn't mean I shouldn't. To each their own.

Can you definitively tell me that this is indeed the case?

What about the chamber, the bedding, scope, mounts, action choice, trigger, rest, etc? Running a cleaning rod through my barrel 100 times before a box of ammo has seen the bore for a hopeful 1/10th of an inch is a fools errand at best.

[Stinky Coyote]

oh boy

1. do we shoot groups at the animals?
2. field conditions who holds half moa groups anyway?
3. pretty sure most of my guns can outshoot me on any day of the week that ends in y
4. how many hours are in the day?

[Bushrat]

Originally Posted by chuck

Can you definitively tell me that this is indeed the case?

What about the chamber, the bedding, scope, mounts, action choice, trigger, rest, etc? Running a cleaning rod through my barrel 100 times before a box of ammo has seen the bore for a hopeful 1/10th of an inch is a fools errand at best.

If your a SBR competitor all those things you mentioned are critical and have to be perfect along with breaking in a barrel and keeping it copper free through a match otherwise you will be on then second page of the standings. For hunting and general shooting not so much. Apples and Kumquots.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Bushrat

If your a SBR competitor all those things you mentioned are critical and have to be perfect along with breaking in a barrel and keeping it copper free through a match otherwise you will be on then second page of the standings. For hunting and general shooting not so much. Apples and Kumquots.

99% of the people here are NOT SBR competitors! That is the point!

[Bushrat]

Originally Posted by chuck

99% of the people here are NOT SBR competitors! That is the point!

Actually about 99.9% are not, but since you asked the question....

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Bushrat

Actually about 99.9% are not, but since you asked the question....

What question?

[Bushrat]

This question.

Originally Posted by chuck

Can you definitively tell me that this is indeed the case?

What about the chamber, the bedding, scope, mounts, action choice, trigger, rest, etc? Running a cleaning rod through my barrel 100 times before a box of ammo has seen the bore for a hopeful 1/10th of an inch is a fools errand at best.

It is indeed the case in SBR competition. In the case of everything else no it probably isn't that critical. Break in can make a difference as it has been proven in thousands of benchrest matches that those who don't break in their barrels even though every other aspect of their rifle is perfect will rarely if ever win anything.

I agree with you for most shooting applications break in is moot as there can be so many other mitigating factors in the gun build, tolerance failings, optic failings, shooter failings, etc, that break in cannot be quantified in those situations.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Bushrat

This question.


It is indeed the case in SBR competition. In the case of everything else no it probably isn't that critical. Break in can make a difference as it has been proven in thousands of benchrest matches that those who don't break in their barrels even though every other aspect of their rifle is perfect will rarely if ever win anything.

I agree with you for most shooting applications break in is moot as there can be so many other mitigating factors in the gun build, tolerance failings, optic failings, shooter failings, etc, that break in cannot be quantified in those situations.

My response is the 280 Rems last post. We are not talking SBR here. We are talking hunting rifles.

[JD848]

Originally Posted by chuck

99% of the people here are NOT SBR competitors! That is the point!

The point is breaking in a barrel,some have different methods then others on how they go about,it's good to hear from all sides on there methods and why they believe in there method,not just your 2 cents.This can go back and forth for a decade and you will still get different opinions and I am sure you won't change yours and that's ok
.You have every right to stick to what you think is correct whether right or wrong.If your going to start a thread on barrel breaking you better be ready for different views with an open mind or part of your so called audience may think else wise of you.

To think that you are totally correct brings up a big flag,cause all barrels are different then yours.Call me a nut or whatever,the feeling is mutual .

There's different powders and bullets and primers and the list can go on and on, on how it effects your barrel.Some barrels like it like you say and some don't and that is a fact.
Myself I do the break in process and I do often think if it's a waste of time because I have had few rifles that you could shoot till the cows came home and the cold bore shot was right there all the time.Then I have some that just needed to be cleaned.So I clean them up and there accuracy comes back after a few rounds.

[rem338win]

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

If it makes you gun shoot better why wouldn't you go the extra mile to get the most out of you investment.

This is the straight forward and to the point answer to this; do you also:

- buy the highest quality brass;
- weight sort that brass;
- uniform the neck wall thickness;
- trim every piece;
- inform the prime pocket and flashhole;
- use benchrest quality powder measurement;
- use benchrest quality primers;
- clean your primer pockets between uses;
- use a benchrest quality brass sizing die;
- use benchrest quality bullet seaters;
- use a concentrisity gauge;
- lapp and level your scope mounts;

And on and on.

It's really about having consistencies in everything or being reasonable. My experience and everything I've read says many of these things are pointless if I don't do all of them when chasing greatest accuracy.

I use reasonable care and preparation for my goals. I've seen no need to go through a rigorous break in process on my custom hunting rifles.

[Bushrat]

Originally Posted by chuck

My response is the 280 Rems last post. We are not talking SBR here. We are talking hunting rifles.

Hmmmm....I didn't see anywhere in the thread title or anywhere in the contents of your post that you started that this thread only applied to hunting rifles. Perhaps you should have specified that. In reality it was nothing more than a silly rant about your own personal experiences and beliefs.

[Don_Parsons]

If I'm part of the 99.9% of the SRB competion category, I'd like to know how I got into it since I don't even know what the acronym stands for. Ha.

F Class yes, but that's a whole different ball game I'm thinking.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Bushrat

Hmmmm....I didn't see anywhere in the thread title or anywhere in the contents of your post that you started that this thread only applied to hunting rifles. Perhaps you should have specified that. In reality it was nothing more than a silly rant about your own personal experiences and beliefs.

And who’s opinions are you giving? Your neighbors?

[Don_Parsons]

Whoops,,, my bad.

Not part of that is, WOW, that was close. Ha

[JD848]

Originally Posted by chuck

And who’s opinions are you giving? Your neighbors?

Your right out to lunch,that's my neighbors opinion also.Your sarcasm is the same old tune.if you want to be respected give a bit of it and none of this would go down.Bushrat hit the nail right on the head and he is bang on the money.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by JD848

Your right out to lunch,that's my neighbors opinion also.Your sarcasm is the same old tune.if you want to be respected give a bit of it and none of this would go down.Bushrat hit the nail right on the head and he is bang on the money.

And that is your opinion. Not all opinions are created equal either.

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by chuck

Can you definitively tell me that this is indeed the case?

What about the chamber, the bedding, scope, mounts, action choice, trigger, rest, etc? Running a cleaning rod through my barrel 100 times before a box of ammo has seen the bore for a hopeful 1/10th of an inch is a fools errand at best.

1/10" makes a difference to me...not in the field, but every time I'm at the range shooting paper. My guess among hunters, 99% of all rounds fired are at targets, not animals. With that reality, everybody is trying to get the best out of their rig. Virtually all of my aftermarket barrels regardless of contour are sub 1/2 MOA. A bad day is when 5 won't fit under a dime. Don't like to see the edge of a hole peeking out 1/10th

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

1/10" makes a difference to me...not in the field, but every time I'm at the range shooting paper. My guess among hunters, 99% of all rounds fired are at targets, not animals. With that reality, everybody is trying to get the best out of their rig. Virtually all of my aftermarket barrels regardless of contour are sub 1/2 MOA. A bad day is when 5 won't fit under a dime. Don't like to see the edge of a hole peeking out 1/10th

None of my hunting rifles get shot off a bench rest and bags after the initial range session , so I do not worry about shooting a 1/2" @100 yards group with them .
Cat

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

1/10" makes a difference to me...not in the field, but every time I'm at the range shooting paper. My guess among hunters, 99% of all rounds fired are at targets, not animals. With that reality, everybody is trying to get the best out of their rig. Virtually all of my aftermarket barrels regardless of contour are sub 1/2 MOA. A bad day is when 5 won't fit under a dime. Don't like to see the edge of a hole peeking out 1/10th

The shooting range is where I shoot a VERY small percentage of my ammunition. And in my opinion, a bench, is a useless training ground for a hunting rifle.

[Bushrat]

Originally Posted by chuck

And who’s opinions are you giving? Your neighbors?

My neighbor is a fine fellow though he doesn't even own guns. My opinions are from Being a SBR competitor in the recent past who has qualified for the Nationals and also offered a position on the Canadian team to go to the Worlds. Was also mentored by guys who are presently and regularly shoot in National and international competitions.

Maybe one day I will have a fraction of your knowledge.

[1899b]

Originally Posted by Bushrat

Hmmmm....I didn't see anywhere in the thread title or anywhere in the contents of your post that you started that this thread only applied to hunting rifles. Perhaps you should have specified that. In reality it was nothing more than a silly rant about your own personal experiences and beliefs.

Unless you are new here, Chuck is a hunter and his posts pretty much always slant toward hunting applications. Your grasping....

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Bushrat

My neighbor is a fine fellow though he doesn't even own guns. My opinions are from Being a SBR competitor in the recent past who has qualified for the Nationals and also offered a position on the Canadian team to go to the Worlds. Was also mentored by guys who are presently and regularly shoot in National and international competitions.

Maybe one day I will have a fraction of your knowledge.

There is always hope. If nothing else.