Barrel Break-In
Some people will tell you there is no reason to break in anything but a super-accurate target barrel. To me, it doesn't matter. I want to treat my guns right. So, here are two methods for breaking in a barrel, the first from Shilen Rifles, Inc., the second from ArmaLite.
Recommended Cleaning and Break-In for Shilen Barrels
For the first 5 shots, clean the barrel after each shot.
For the next 50 shots, clean the barrel after each 5 shot group.
The barrel is now broken-in.
To maintain the quality of the barrel, we (Shilen) recommend cleaning the barrel within every 20 shots.
The term "cleaning the barrel" as stated above means:
Use a plastic coated cleaning rod, a bronze brush, flannel patches, and Hoppes BR Bore Solvent.
Saturate the brush with solvent and make 20 passes through the barrel (10 cycles). Let the solvent soak in the barrel for 10 minutes, then saturate the brush again with solvent and make 20 more passes through the barrel. Push 3 patches through the barrel to remove excess solvent and loosened fouling.
Barrel cleaning is complete.
The above information is from Shilen by way of Vandenberg Custom. I do not claim any responsibility for any damage to you, your weapon, or any one or thing else if you use this method.
The following method is directly from ArmaLite's website. The phrasing is © ArmaLite.
BREAK IN PROCEDURE: To properly break in the barrel, first fire 11 single shots, each shot followed by a solvent soaked brass bore brush passed from the breech to the muzzle 3 to 5 times. Dry the bore with a clean patch. Clean the bore further with 20 strokes of a tight fitting patch bearing J-B bore cleaner (available from Brownells, telephone 515-623-5401) or another high quality paste type cleaner. Failure to use J-B or another paste type cleaner can triple the break in period. Use a Parker Hale or other wrap-around style jag rather than a slotted jag. It is convenient to perform this step from the muzzle, but a brass or plastic rod guide must be used to assure that the rod never touches the rifling at the muzzle.
From shots 12 to 30, clean after each 3 shots. From shots 31 to 50, clean after each 5 shots. From shots 51 to 100 clean thoroughly with a high quality bore cleaner every 10 shots. The barrel should thereafter be cleaned every 20 rounds to assure best match accuracy.
It is best to use solid based, hollow point match bullets for break in: full metal jacket ammunition normally contains a lead slug which is exposed at the base of the bullet. A small amount of lead ablates as the bullet travels down the bore and is deposited on the bore.
Black Hills Ammunition's moly coated .308 Win Match ammunition can reduce or eliminate the normal break in procedure. Accuracy has proven to be outstanding. To procure this ammunition, contact either ArmaLite at 800-336-0184, or Black Hills at 800-5686625.
The above information is from ArmaLite's website. I do not claim any responsibility for any damage to you, your weapon, or any one or thing else if you use this method.
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