Thread: Tikka T3X barrel break-in

I'm just got a Tikka t3x, and I'm just wondering if I need to go through a barrel break-in process?
Since Tikkas are rated to shooting sub 1 MOA groups out of the factory, I wasn't sure if it was needed.
If it is, what procedure would you recommend going through?

Some say 1 shot then clean, 2 shots then clean and 3 shots and clean.....

I guess of you use this as a zero the gun you will have it almost run in?

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Originally Posted by Tacitus

I'm just got a Tikka t3x, and I'm just wondering if I need to go through a barrel break-in process?
Since Tikkas are rated to shooting sub 1 MOA groups out of the factory, I wasn't sure if it was needed.
If it is, what procedure would you recommend going through?

I have 3 Tikkas. I didn't do any specific breaking in. After scope mounting put about 10 shots through each getting them roughly sighted in. Used modest handloads before starting specific load development for each. Worked for me. They all shoot very well.

For me give it a good clean before you sight it in, and then when finished job done.
Most people do more harm cleaning than good.
I've followed the book on new barrel break in before, and a lot of new barrels never noticed any advantage.


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Clean it then just shoot it

Give it a clean and shoot it

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As above thats what i do. And just clean it every time it gets shot for a while. Then i figure out how many shots it take to foul it and just clean it when needed.

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Clean it ,do yr zeroing and go hunting.Enjoy yr new rifle,tika shoot accurate if you can.

Just thrash it until it looses accracury then clean it be prepared to loose accuracy for another 10 rounds then rinse and repeat, iv put thousands pf rounds threw tikkas and sakos and treated them all the same

Originally Posted by Kelton

Just thrash it until it looses accracury then clean it be prepared to loose accuracy for another 10 rounds then rinse and repeat, iv put thousands pf rounds threw tikkas and sakos and treated them all the same

Yep, I only deep clean once my rifles lose accuracy.
And correct, asthd Barrels get worn it can take a few shots to get it back on song.
My 300 nm is usually run a bit of carbon killer through after a session as that's what can cause more problems than copper on big bangers..
I always bore snake to take any powder residue out which can attract moisture

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My 2 cents, A good clean and function check then its bang bang, clean when finished. I always do a clean and pull through before shooting.

Yeah just remove the oil with a dry patch or bore snake before shooting and clean it before you put it away


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With a pre-lapped barrel I wouldnt bother with a break in, but with a normal barrel the purpose of the break in is to achieve a smooth consistent barrel that give full velocity and long accurate life. The reason that we read of barrels 'speeding up' after 100 rounds is that it has taken that many shots to break them in to the point where a lapped barrel would start from

So why not take advantage of some hunting within those first 100, rather than shooting explicitly to break in.
It’s wasteful in cost and diminishing returns.

Originally Posted by Moutere

So why not take advantage of some hunting within those first 100, rather than shooting explicitly to break in.
It’s wasteful in cost and diminishing returns.

??????