New AR Question

[little rock]

Hello guys.
Someone at the range about couple of weeks ago told me when you have a NEW rifle. He did not say what type. Just NEW rifle. That you should brake the barrel in.

He quotes: Shoot one rounds, Clear barrel
Shoot two rounds, Clear barrel
Shoot three rounds, Clear barrel
He said do this for the first 20 rounds

Then he said you can go to town with the rifle. Any one like to comment on this. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[kanewtervalve]

Sounds old school to me, maybe for expensive bolt rifles. I do make sure a new gun is completely free of any grease, dirt, cosmo, etc., especially the inside of the barrel. Then I apply just a light coat of CLP on the outside of the bolt and let her rip. Never had a problem.

[PBR]

From the Bushmaster Website :

Q. What is the proper "break-in" procedure for a chrome lined AR barrel?

A. After firing a couple hundred rounds, the chrome lining will "polish out" from its light, flat gray, factory-new look to a brightly reflective, polished appearance. During this break-in period, excessive cleaning with solvent or brush should be avoided as that will only prolong the time (and number of rounds) it takes to achieve the final "bullet polishing" of the barrel.

[little rock]

Kanewtervalue,Redneck Whitesox PBR

Thanks, That helps alot. I will check out Bushmaster website for more info.

Thanks

[Skip]

I'm an old guy and it's sounds like the break-in period for a new 1960's auto. "Don't travel over 55 MPH for the first 1,000 miles.
Maybe you should shoot low velocity bullets.:bigdeal:

[kanewtervalve]

Originally posted by Skip
I'm an old guy and it's sounds like the break-in period for a new 1960's auto. "Don't travel over 55 MPH for the first 1,000 miles.
Maybe you should shoot low velocity bullets.:bigdeal:
LOL:D Love those "old" cars. :p

[recon]

Just learned something new! :D

[parker]

There is a in depth "barrel break in" article on fulton armery's or arrington accuracy's web site.
It has something to do with copper fouling in the barrel. When they ream the chamber/throat area it leaves very small groves which will sheer small amounts of copper from the jacket of the bullet. These particles are vaporized and carried down the barrel until they cool enough to be deposited in the barrel. This copper somehow attract more copper fouling in future firings. The theory is to shoot enough rounds/clean gun until the small grovs are "polished" away. This will reduce future copper fouling and make cleaning the gun easier.

This procedure is for ss or reg barrels it does not mention chrome lined barrels and is used by comp shooters.

My guess is that when the chrome linning is applied it may cover the "groves" in the throat area.

[HatchetJoe]

ARmalite has a section on break in also, many people doubt that it make any difference, With the old cars it was needed to seat the rings and smoth out the roughness in the cylinders, that is no longer an issue.

[neilwest]

1. That was a great need to know post. Thanks for the link.:)

[Circuits]

There is a difference in the need for break-in for an unlined match type barrel, and a military-style chrome lined AR barrel.

If you feel it will help your shooting, go ahead and break in that unlined match barrel slow and gentle. It won't matter on the chrome lined barrels, and nothing will help a cheap unlined barrel (as opposed to a true match-grade barrel).

[AKWARRIOR]

Originally posted by PBR
From the Bushmaster Website :

Q. What is the proper "break-in" procedure for a chrome lined AR barrel?

A. After firing a couple hundred rounds, the chrome lining will "polish out" from its light, flat gray, factory-new look to a brightly reflective, polished appearance. During this break-in period, excessive cleaning with solvent or brush should be avoided as that will only prolong the time (and number of rounds) it takes to achieve the final "bullet polishing" of the barrel.


Thats exactly what I did when I bought my M4 Bushy but being a clean freak about my weapons It took a bit longer for me to break in.;)