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Started By
Message
Is there a need for barrel break-in?
Posted on 9/15/17 at 8:51 pm
Posted on 9/15/17 at 8:51 pm
I was just able to fire my new Tikka 6.5x55 for the first time today. I fired it 6 times with about 3-6 minute breaks in between each shot. Shot 3 in a 1/2" group right out of the box. Took 3 more to creep it up to about 2" high at 100 yards, and put it away until the first day of rifle season.
Tell me how I screwed up.
Also, do you say "Tee-kuh" or "Tick-uh"?
Tell me how I screwed up.
Also, do you say "Tee-kuh" or "Tick-uh"?
3
Posted on 9/15/17 at 9:04 pm to beHop
Terry Cross said this on facebook the other day:
Basically, shoot it, clean it when you get home, shoot it again whenever you need to.
quote:
When you are dealing with barrels from Krieger, Bartlien, Hawk Hill, Rock, Broughton and a few others, the bore is as smooth as it is ever going to get. The only thing to break in is the new throat that was cut when the barrel was chambered. Even then, the break in is simply a burnishing to the trailing edges of the start of the lands at the throat. This is done in about 3-5 rounds (unless a crappy chamber job left more machine marks in that area or oversize burrs). When test firing groups of rifles prior to shipping I will mount a scope, bore site, fire a couple on a large target to get the scope close then shoot 3 groups back to back on another target, move the scope to the next rifle and repeat. I clean the bores when back at the shop and the rifles are ready to go with no "break in" once they get where they are going. YMMV. . . .
Basically, shoot it, clean it when you get home, shoot it again whenever you need to.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 9:10 pm to kengel2
quote:
Krieger, Bartlien, Hawk Hill, Rock, Broughton and a few others
Do one of them make the Tikka barrels? Or is Tikka one of the "few others?"
Posted on 9/16/17 at 10:34 am to kengel2
quote:
Basically, shoot it, clean it when you get home, shoot it again whenever you need to.
I agree. Years ago I used to go through the "shoot one, clean. Shoot 2, clean. Shoot 3, clean" ad nauseum." The last 2 custom barrels I bought were McGowen and Shilen. I didn't do this w/ either and they both shoot fine. In fact, I didn't clean them after day 1 of a 2 day prairie dog and they still shot fine on day 2. I did notice the custom barrels cleaned up a LOT easier than did the factory barrels. One Savage factory barrel gave me fits, although I'll admit I can't remember if I cleaned it after last years hunt(s) or not.
Posted on 9/16/17 at 10:38 am to beHop
quote:
Tikka 6.5x55
I have nothing to contribute to this thread other than
Posted on 9/16/17 at 12:37 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I'm anxious to take it out and see how it performs. It's an absolute pleasure to shoot. I could go through 50 rds with ease if I wanted to spend the money.
Fwiw I'm shooting the 140 gr Accubond Nosler Trophy Grade ammo.
Fwiw I'm shooting the 140 gr Accubond Nosler Trophy Grade ammo.
Posted on 9/16/17 at 2:39 pm to beHop
6.5x55 is my pet caliber. It's what I grew up on, killed a pile of deer with it. Such a sweet sweet caliber.
Posted on 9/16/17 at 5:07 pm to beHop
Depends on who made the barrel. High-end custom barrels are going to be polished out before they leave the factory, there's pretty much nothing to break-in at that point. Mass production CHF barrels don't need it either, the carbide mandrel the barrel was forged around will leave a polished surface finish inside the bore and no tooling marks. I experimented with my Ruger American, shooting 50 rounds through it and keeping track of the groups in 10 shot strings. Then I used a strong copper remover and cleaned the bore until no residue would show on the patch. Made absolutely no difference in how the rifle grouped when I shot it again. The CHF barrel doesn't care. Mass produced cut rifled barrels might be a different story due to tooling marks but from what I've read, even Remington 700s with awful tooling marks in the bores still produced good groups and didn't get any better with bore paste and a break-in regimen.
Posted on 9/17/17 at 7:36 am to Clames
It seems like people either are meticulous about it or they never clean their rifle. And some will swear by both. I just want to do what's best for the barrel.
Posted on 9/17/17 at 8:12 am to beHop
Can't hurt. I've just ordered a new barrel for my AR-10 (6.5c) and will be fairly meticulous with it but not anal.
Posted on 9/17/17 at 8:54 am to beHop
Well you need to leave some copper in it. Some people strip it out and then it'll take 3-5 rounds or so to get it back in there.
I never fully stripped everything out of the barrel when I had my custom rifle. Did I clean it yes, with oil and I did clean the action. Just never stripped the barrel. If its a hunting rifle and you are shooting it, then stripping everything out of the bareel you will likely never see the full potential of the rifle and most likely are doing more harm than good.
I never fully stripped everything out of the barrel when I had my custom rifle. Did I clean it yes, with oil and I did clean the action. Just never stripped the barrel. If its a hunting rifle and you are shooting it, then stripping everything out of the bareel you will likely never see the full potential of the rifle and most likely are doing more harm than good.
Posted on 9/17/17 at 9:16 am to beHop
Put me in the never clean it crowd. My hunting rifle might see 500 rounds it's entire life. I'm not worried about it 
I clean my pistol barrels once or twice a year but they get shot a whole lot more.
I clean my pistol barrels once or twice a year but they get shot a whole lot more.
Posted on 9/17/17 at 9:55 am to beHop
Its a sako barrel. They make tikka. Ur good.
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