The Accurate Reloading Forums
Barrel break in
20 July 2007, 01:53
bc300winguyBarrel break in
I just purchased a 270 wsm in a tikka hunter. I have never worried in the past but I keep hearing about "barrel break-in". Any thoughts or should I just go shot it.
20 July 2007, 02:10
HunterJimThis is one of those religious areas for gun loonies. Some say yes, some say no. John Barsness recently wrote an article saying no. Kenny Jarrett says you need to do it to blend the machining zone of the chamber (rotating tool marks) with the barrel machining (longitudinal marks) to keep from forming a donut of alternating powder/jacket residue at the junction.
Some barrel makers endorse break-in and you can find instruction on their websites, some don't.
I follow the shoot one, clean one routine for the first 20 shots when I am also mounting the scope and sighting in or whatever. For me it has never made a barrel shoot worse, and perhaps makes future cleaning easier.
jim
if you're too busy to hunt,you're too busy.
20 July 2007, 03:07
jeffeossovoodoo.. seems to work for some, blather for others... your first X shots aren't doing anything but smoothing the barrel.. do what you like to get there
20 July 2007, 03:20
ramrod340Well trying to think. I did break in my BR barrel. Or at least the shoot clean for the first few.
Hunting rifles. I take them and shoot them. Factory and custom. Shoot it don't overheat it and clean it when I get home.
As usual just my $.02
Paul K
20 July 2007, 04:08
BuliwyfNo down side to breaking the barrel in.
20 July 2007, 04:48
vapodogquote:
Barrel break in
for a hunting rifle?.....

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Tikka does guarantee 1" groups and picking the right load will better that .What's the problem ?
20 July 2007, 05:41
dan_ozNot only do they have the accuracy guarantee, but Tikka's technicians would have already shot that rifle to make sure of it, like they do with all of them.
21 July 2007, 08:36
bc300winguyDan-oz (or anyone else) does this mean the Tikka barrel is already broke-in?
21 July 2007, 08:42
vapodogquote:
Originally posted by bc300winguy:
Dan-oz (or anyone else) does this mean the Tikka barrel is already broke-in?
cannot confirm this....but seriously doubt it!
I actually had a guy contact me to find some 7MM WSM moly coated ammo.....I asked why as this is not so easy to find....he told me his gunsmith told him to breakin the barrel using molycoated ammo....he's not a reloader.
I told him to find another gunsmith!!! This is pure malarky.
There is no proof or concrete evidence that barrel breakin is of advantage to the owner of the gun.....hunting rifles I mean.....
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"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
Winston Churchill
21 July 2007, 11:18
dan_ozquote:
Posted 21 July 2007 07:36
Dan-oz (or anyone else) does this mean the Tikka barrel is already broke-in?
Either that, or Tikka's technicians think "breaking in" processes are
hogwash unsupported by scientific evidence too

21 July 2007, 14:14
GaryVAThe answer is obvious, but, many misinterpret the answer.
GVA
21 July 2007, 19:52
El Deguelloquote:
Kenny Jarrett says you need to do it to blend the machining zone of the chamber (rotating tool marks) with the barrel machining (longitudinal marks) to keep from forming a donut of alternating powder/jacket residue at the junction
This is one of the better stories I've heard on this subject! For some reason, I've never found such a donut in ANY of my modern rifle (or handgun) barrels. Nor in any of the muzzleloaders either!
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."