Posted: 11/18/2025 10:58:41 PM EDT
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What is the suggested method for breaking in a new rifle? I just got a Begara B-14R barreled action and have installed it in an MDT Field stock and Timney Trigger that I had on hand. I also just rebuild an old Ruger 10-22 with a E R Shaw Bull Barrel and BX trigger and put it in an MDT Field Stock. I have on hand a large amount of plinking ammo and have purchased a few boxes of various Eley ammo. I have some Match, Target and Club with two boxes of SK Match. I have some CCI Standard Velocity, Mini Mags, Fed Auto Match. I was thinking that I would put a few hundred Fed Auto Match thru both rifles for a break in and to sight in the scopes. Once I have put a few hundred rounds of the Auto Match then I would try the Eley and SK. Looking to get some other Eley, can't find much else available from the online vendors at this time. |
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First off, is break in really required? Why not just shoot it, use it? Bergara - clean it; lube it; work the bolt and buttons. Shoot the Eley types through it. Re-check all the screws for tightness. 10-22 - clean it; lube it (action is already broken in, right?). Re-check all the screws for tightness. Do you have rod guides, good rods and rimfire barrel cleaning accessories? Anschutz recommends cleaning after every session. As you change ammo types, you are going to get some changes to the zero. You may also see some "settling in" after switching ammo from type X to type Y. I wouldn't worry any of the details until you have several hundred rounds through the barrel. By then, you'll have a good idea of what the rifles like and can pursue finding the best fit for your needs & budget. Wouldn't it be nice if they both "like" the same ammo? Shooting a new rifle is fun. Don't worry about the details for a while, just enjoy! |
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Originally Posted By cavegeo: What is the suggested method for breaking in a new rifle? . Shoot it as you would when sighting in new optics and figuring out which ammo 'might be' the holy grail for your rifle. Don't believe in the old FUDD method of shoot one-clean-shoot five-clean. Enjoy your new toy, OP. |
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A couple things to keep in mind: 1) .22 LR barrels don't need to be broken in, they can and are often cleaned to death. Use a guide when cleaning them so that you can clean from the receiver end to protect the crown and keep solvents, etc out of the action and stock. 2) Getting peak accuracy will require some seasoning of the bore every time you switch ammunition. Bullet lubes differ and the old lube needs to get shot out and replaced with the new lube and the new lube seasoned in the bore before you can see that the new ammo will truly do. That might take 10 rounds or it might take 50 rounds, depending on the ammo you are switching too and from. That seasoning process also has to start over after you clean a barrel. So only clean it if you start to see a noticeable decline in accuracy or before storing the rifle for the off season. ---- I have a Bergara 14R and its a superb .22 LR rifle well suited to long range .22 LR shooting with standard velocity ammuntion.   Mine is a solid 5 shot 1 MOA rifle at 100 yards with SK Std Plus and will put in its share of 1/2 MOA 50 and 100 yard groups.   200 yard accuracy holds up well on a calm day as well.  It might do better with a high grade match round, but for non match, steel plate shooting SK Std Plus is fine and great bang for the buck. SK Magazine, SK Std Plus and SK rifle Match is all made on the same machines with the same components. what differentiates it is lot testing. The lots that meet match standards are boxed as such, the lots that meet the slightly lower SK Std Plus standards are boxed as such and the rest is sold in 500 round cans as SK Magazine. The difference is in consistency. For example, I rarely get a flyer with SK Match. With SK Std Plus I can count on 1 to 2 fliers out in the 8 ring per box of 50, and with SK magazine that increases to 3-4 per 50. If I am not shooting small bore prone with a match rifle, but rather using my B14R, those 8 ring fliers look like this, a clear uncalled flier that significantly opens up the 100 yard group, in this case slightly more than doubling the group size. But it's still very good accuracy for mid grade ammunition. 
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What a great post, and great pictures. Thanks for making it. As I posted above, Anschutz recommends cleaning after every use. This contrasts with what you are saying - don't clean too often. By default, I don't clean too often. When I do clean, I do as you suggest - use a bore guide and go in from the chamber side. I normally use Wolf Match Extra (the older stuff made by SK). I also have a case of SK, in whatever version maps over to what Wolf sold as their Match Extra (SK Plus?). I'd say the OP will be well served by listening to your advice. I know it works for me. |