Breaking In Period

[NHmsj]

I tried doing a search on this matter, but came up mostly with broken rifle threads or home invasions. So, despite the chance of creating a repeat thread, I'll ask outright.

Any opinions of an "average" break-in period for a new rifle? How many rounds down the barrel is considered "normal" or sufficiently adequate?

msj

[Ron AKA]

Originally Posted by NHmsj

I tried doing a search on this matter, but came up mostly with broken rifle threads or home invasions. So, despite the chance of creating a repeat thread, I'll ask outright.
Any opinions of an "average" break-in period for a new rifle? How many rounds down the barrel is considered "normal" or sufficiently adequate?
msj

I believe the need to "break-in" a rimfire barrel is a myth. Clean it once when you get it, and then shoot it. Clean when you are done, or after 200 rounds or so.

If you want to be more sophisticated than that, here are instructions from a custom barrel maker.

Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels - Rimfire Maintenance

Ron

[irish murphy]

Everyone has a different view on this.Some say just shoot it.I say shoot it and clean it for the first 80 to 100 rounds.Dont heat it up.Clean it for the first 20 after every second round.But i only patch it out.depending on what you own its barrel might be a bit rougher than others from new.I do the same with a centrefire.But like i said,others might say its bullshit????

[oldjarhead]

After the first round down range it's broken in. If you have to treat the thing with kid gloves for the first thousand miles, you don't want it.
Take it out of the box, run a patch through the bore, go to the range, shoot it and enjoy it. Just perform maintenance and keep it relatively clean.

[andrew cochran]

People have many opinions on this and I am going to put mine out there. A new gun has a much rougher barrel than an older one. Repeated use and wear can actually make it more accurate. You will find that there will be more lead fouling in a new gun than an old one. This is because of the steel is still a bit rough in the bore. Always clean it first! Shoot it till it needs cleaning. Although a gun can be broken in, just shooting it does it. For a .22 LR the break in period could be from 200 to 400 rounds. Depending if it is stainless or blued. Clean it a little more often and just shoot it.

[jerry]

All good advice above. Let's take it a step furhter on break in. Depending on the action (more with a semi auto, less with abolt gun) the internal moving parts typically need a little breaking in. A friend of mine on this forum had her semi auto .22 hanging up a bit. It took a little range time and a bit hotter ammo to get it over the hiccups.

When you first start using the weapon, it's a good practice to detail inspect everything looking for abnormal wear characteristics, especially in the beginning. If things feel a little "rough" at first, as is common with mass produced guns, they will break in the more they are shot. If the problem persist, there may be a mfg tolerance issue.

[SwedeSteve]

^ Sounds good to me!

[jerry]

You can tune a piano, but you can't Tuna Fish!
Steve, I actually have this REO album on vynal. Is this the beginning stages of feeling old? LOL

[Long Shanks]

I Think the original question was answered. Adding to jerry's thought, if you own it on 8-track you don't have to ask about the feeling old part

[meatloaf]

break in? Well my cetme needed about 300 rounds to set her straight. Id say shoot your gun moderatly and give a little time between shots, after a couple hundred rounds let her rip. I beleive some people baby their guns to much. Im not saying dont clean it, Im saying it isnt going to break to shoot it thats what its for.

[NHmsj]

Tons of great replies! Thanks much to everyone.