Proper break in

[Robert217]

I've seen some people that are just fanatical with break in and others that don't believe in it I'm just wondering what your opinion is

[Not_A_Llama]

http://www.6mmbr.com/gailmcmbreakin.html

[Hoser]

Unless your shooting benchrest, just shoot it.

50s can be a different matter. Most can benefit from a bit of break in.

[SuperiorDG]

I break mine in by shooting the first 50 rounds with molly coated bullets and clean it and do it again. After that I'm GTG. That's just me, however.

[SA Friday]

Brand spankin new barrel? Shoot 3-5 rounds, dry patch it, then run it like u stole it.

I've said it before, in most cases barrel break in is a myth.

[BPTactical]

If it is a chrome lined bore give it a good initial cleaning then shoot it till your silly.
For a non chrome bore just wet patch followed up with dry patches for the first ten or so.
The link Llama provided is a good read as is a very detailed read on www.snipershide under the "Gunsmithing" section. Given some of the info I have learned lately regarding barrel break in has made me re-evaluate what was traditionally a near religious ritual regarding break in.

[Jensen Arms]

Agreed, chrome lined, clean, shoot it
handgun, clean, shoot it
non chrome rifle, clean, shoot, clean shoot 10x total, then shoot

me, clean, shoot regardless.

More rifles have been damaged by over cleaning, then any other factor.

Bore guides, or bore snakes are a blessing....

never use steel cleaning rods if you can help it.

Come into the shop and look at the surplus rifles, some of them have an egg shaped crown due to cleaning rods being improperly used. Bullets don't cause that, steel cleaning rods do....

[alexc]

Don't believe in it, however besides a couple rounds of ammo and some of your time, break in can't hurt anything

[SA Friday]

Don't believe in it, however besides a couple rounds of ammo and some of your time, break in can't hurt anything

Completely disagree. Damage to the throat from improper cleaning kills barrels. Every time you run that rod down the barrel, you run the risk of damage, permanently. So, break in by shooting and cleaning CAN hurt.