Among the biggest topics among professional marksmen, the rifle break in process is probably the biggest. We believe it is one of the least understood. While discussions about how to break in a rifle barrel are avid, many professional sports enthusiasts agree that a proper break in procedure ensures top accuracy, performance, and overall longer barrel life.

Correct Rifle Break In Steps for your Rifle Barrel

1. Cleaning the bore: this is an essential moment before firing your new weapon. You’ll require a cleaning rod, a brass bore brush, jag, cleaning solvent and tight-fitting cotton patches. Always consider using a bore guide to ensure the best protection when cleaning your bore. You then proceed to running the brush down your bore quickly followed by a cotton patch dipped in cleaning solvent. Finish the job by also running a dry-cotton patch through the bore.
2. Taking the first shot: After having cleaned your bore, you’re certainly excited to take your first shot.
3. Re-cleaning the bore: A correct break-in requires you to clean the bore again after having fired the first shot. Follow the same succession of steps as presented above. After re-cleaning the barrel, wait for it to cool and proceed to firing your second shot.
4. Repeat the firing-cleaning process for a total of five shots.
5. Now, the break-in process will involve shooting five-round shots followed by a cleaning. You basically shoot the rifle five times, clean the bore as presented, let it cool and shoot again. The process has to be repeated for a total of 50 shots.

A proper cleaning regimen aims to remove any microscopic imperfection which may have been left off after the manufacturing process. Furthermore, you also virtually “polish” the rifle’s bore without actually adding an extra layer of copper-fouling between your bore and your bullet.

Material Suggestions

Having the proper gunsmithing tools are a requirement for every enthusiast, especially when caring deeply for a rifle. The break-in process is best conducted with high-quality materials such as bore guides and cleaning solvents.

Consider the fact that most rifle barrels are utterly destroyed by improper cleaning and not using bore-guides. While the prices for such a bore guide range from $5.00 to $50.00. Always do your homework before using a cleaning kit and consider quality over price limitations.

Choosing the proper solvent is also worth your time when gunsmithing. There are, of course, instructions for making your own solvents, however, it’s recommendable to stick to your rifle’s specifications and check for the best solution.

Tips on How to Break in a Rifle Barrel

When running the brush through your barrel, it’s advisable to only run the brush through until you expose the brush completely. This aims to protect your rifle’s new crown. Remember, if your rod hangs out too far out, the rifling at the end of your crown may wear down. This significantly decreases your weapon’s accuracy. Also, when cleaning out the barrel, keep your brush as straight as possible and work slowly.

Regular gunsmithing and cleaning routines should also follow a similar procedure so as to ensure the accuracy of your rifle. There you have it. Our complete guide on how to break in a rifle barrel.