Thread: Barrel break-in

That's a strange sweeping statement. Bartlein, Kreiger, Lilja, Brux for example, all excellent barrel makers that I rate highly, all have break-in procedures.
The most outspoken non break-in proponent though was Gale McMillan, sadly long dead. People usually quote him in their arguments.

And, if someone wishes to "break-in" their new barrel I don't argue with them. It's their hard earned dosh they've laid out on the purchase. How big a deal is it to fire a few extra rounds off which in the context most hunting rifles' expected lives won't in any way eat up much of that expected barrel life.

The main issue is not the barrel itself (unless it's a crap barrel), it is the tiny burrs created when reaming the chamber. The Cu seen at the muzzle has mostly come from these burrs ripping the projectile. The Cu turns into plasma and is deposited at the end of the barrel.

A true barrel break-in where there is a change in velocity may not occur until 100 to 300 rounds are fired. Obviously your not going to do the fire one and clean for that many rounds.