Breaking in Chrome lined barrels

[mseanmc]

For those in the know,

What is the best way to break in a chrome lined barrel?

I'm picking up my new VEPR II .223 this coming Wednesday and want to make sure that I treat it properly.

Thanks!

[mseanmc]

After looking around awhile, I found this information on www.internetarmory.com (http://www.internetarmory.com) .

This sounds reasonable to me, even though it comes from a kooky Gothic-Like web site. Anyone have a different opinion?

Two types of rifle barrels require special attention during the "break in" period to ensure optimal accuracy over the long term. These include chrome lined barrels and unchromed, plain steel barrels used in competition shooting. Both types of barrels are normally associated with AR-15 type rifles.

The chrome lining will "polish out" from its light, flat gray faded look to a brightly reflective, shiny appearance after several hundred rounds have been fired through it (one to two hundred). Avoid excessive cleaning with patches or brushes during this time because it will only extend the length of the break in period and number of rounds it will take to produce the desired "bullet polishing" of the barrel bore.

Thereafter, a chrome lined barrel will only require a detailed, tedious cleaning to remove copper fouling after the accuracy of shot group sizes begins to suffer. This will normally occur only after several thousand rounds have been fired. A good copper solvent, patience, and considerable elbow grease will restore a copper fouled chromed barrel to a condition where it shoots as good as new. Be careful in using copper, lead or nitro solvents because they may attack the finish on the firearm, particularly the receiver.

For routine maintenance, use "Break Free" to clean, lubricate and preserve (CLP) the firearm. This product will not harm any gun's finish. Black rags, especially black T shirts, work well for cleaning and maintaining the textured matte surfaces of the rifle without leaving the blotches produced by white shop towels. Once properly broken in, a chromed barrel doesn't get fouled nearly as quickly as does a plain steel barrel. Chrome also inhibits the rust and pitting to which plain steel barrels are susceptible. Keep in mind that more barrels are ruined by careless or overzealous cleaning than are ever "shot out". Remember to protect the rifling at the muzzle with a plastic or brass rod guide.

[Hootbro]

Advice on breaking in a barrel is gonna get you 10 different opinions from 10 different people. Two things are really goin against you for ultimate accuracy.

1. It is an AK action and they are not know for any real inherent accuracy.

2. The barrel is chomed lined. This is for barrel life more than accuracy.

FWIW, most people have guns that will never be taken to their full abilities because of the bad habits of most shooters.

AS for break in of your chrome lined barrel, I would just recommend 2-3 range sessions of 150-200 rounds down the barrel each session. When you reach the 700+ mark it should be definately broke in. Youre barrel is not a match barrel so the advice of cleaning after every round for the first 20 and then cleaning after every 20 for a few hundred rounds will be mostly wasted energy on your part. Just remember that cleaning to much wears a gun out faster than the actual shooting of it sometimes. Best of luck on your new rifle.


Hootbro

[mseanmc]

Thanks for the reply Hootbro.

I am fully on board with the idea that this rifle is not going to be a tack driver simply because that is not how they're built.

I just want to make sure that I am not doing anything that will accelerate barrel wear. I'd like to have this gun be a good shooter for years to come.

Now for tack driving, I am looking at the Remington 700VS chambered for .308 with one of the Springfield Armory scopes w/laser range finder and adjustments specifically calibrated for the .308.

I am not going to try to "ring the bell" @ 300 yards with the VEPR II!

[Ian]

I am not going to try to "ring the bell" @ 300 yards with the VEPR II!

I am!!! My Vepr II .223 is capable of great accuracy. The only question is "am I?"

Ian

[HDR]

My Vepr II in 5,56 will pop a 12" gong at 250m until you get tired of doing it..

Once you figure out what ammo it likes, Veprs shoot as good as any AK and better than most.

Running a wet patch thru ain't going to wear out anything.

[jram67]

I agree with everybody (damn, thats unusual) A wet patch is really all you need until you notice a drop in accuracy. Chrome barrels last a long, long time. My only recommendation over what I've already heard is definately get a one piece, coated rod. Nothing scares me like the scraping sound a steel, multi-section rod makes sliding down a barrel. That $15 investment and some Breakfree CLP should keep you shooting just fine.