Is there a point to doing a break in proces. Has anyone seen any difference between not doing one and doing one. The Barrel should have been lapped from the factory, so why break it in?

Most barrels are NOT lapped at the factory. The better ones might be, but you had better be sure before buying one.

I don't think break-in benefits a big bore as much as it might a small-bore (.17"-.24" caliber); fewer rounds are shot from a big bore, the level of accuracy needed is somewhat lower, and the thicker jackets and larger bore are a bit more 'forgiving'.

That said, I break-in all my barrels, regardless of bore size. The break-in process doesn't hurt the bore, increases my familiarity with the rifle, and allows me to shake out problems before load development begins.

The cost of bullets and powder can be onerous, though.

George

Niels,

It is generally accepted that "breaking in" a barrel is the process by which the chamber reamer marks are "smoothed" in the throat area of the barrel/chamber. Even if a barrel was lapped at the factory, if it is chambered afterwards, (as most custom barrels are) these marks will be present. If a sharp reamer is used the ridges will be slight and will require few shots to smooth. If the reamer was dull, the ridges will require more shots to smooth and will likely deposit more copper down the barrel. Some shooters follow a strict cleaning regime while breaking in to keep the copper deposition to a minimum.

I have seen significant improvement in some rifles accuracy as they get "broken in". And others have shot incredibly from the first shot.

Jim

There is always some bennifits to breaking in a rifle. As GeorgeS said if anything it increases familiarity with the rifle.

Factory rifles will bennifit to a greater extent from breaking in as they are generally not lapped, also little care is usually taken in the actual making of a factory barrel and they are amazingly rough as compared to a custom barrel. The breaking in process will help smooth out the machining marks and burrs in the barrel, resulting in less fouling and more accuracy.

I have a different oppinion regarding larger bores and the importance of breaking them in. I agree that the level of accuracy is not usually as critical, however; from a fouling standpoint, the thicker jacket and larger bore means much more fouling. Big bores copper foul "Big Time!"

I am a 50BMG shooter, and these rifles will fould even with the finest barrel money can buy and proper break in. A person can literally spend days (not an exageration) getting copper out after a 60-90 round day. (This was before "Wipe Out" bore cleaner came along, now its just overnight)

Lastly it is a pain to break em in and expensive but I never go without doing it, and that means at least im getting to shoot.

Hope this helps

Everyone has their own thoughts on bbl. breakin. I do it now w/ all of my new ones. It doesn't hurt anything & if it only helps a bit, so be it. You have to get sighted in anyway. I shoot 1 & clean for 10. Then shoot 3 & clean for 18. Then clean after every session.
I still believe in engine breakin for cars too, so take it for what it's worth. Most of the bbl. makers recommend a breakin, again for what its worth.

FWIW barrel break-in has no evidence of harm or benefit.
Take it out, sight it in and go shoot at any targets you like to shoot at.

IMO however I do agree that the gun will likely do it's best shooting shortly after about 100-200 bullets have been fired. Barrel breakin reginens help to pass that milestone some what.

Everybody has there own take on breakin etc. I'm with Geo, on a small bore where a guy may be trying to get the best group he can get etc, it may make sense and at times I've followed the barrel makers instructions to the letter, other times I haven't. On a big bore not sure it all that big of deal. But by the same token, I wouldnt run a handful of barnes x through a new match grade barrel on a big bore without a rod in the barrel between the first few shots.