Best Break-In Procedure > General Firearm Discussion

Posted: 10/26/2001 5:43:58 PM EDT

What's the best way to break in a new Bushmaster Barrel? Simple question, I know, but the potential answers are without number.

Thanks in advance.

Posted: 10/26/2001 5:50:04 PM EDT

[#1]

If you're in the President's 100 or a dedicated benchrest shooter (using a semi-auto

) then go to Armalite's web page and look under the technical area for a procedure to break-in stainless steel barrels for extreme accuracy use.

Otherwise just shoot about 200-300 rounds though it after giving a good cleaning and lubrication.

I'm assuming your Bushy has a chrome lined barrel and you're new to this.

Posted: 10/26/2001 8:49:05 PM EDT

[#2]

If it's chrome lined then there is no break in required.

Posted: 10/26/2001 11:15:20 PM EDT

[#3]

What Sukebe said- if it's a regular chrome-lined barrel, shoot it and enjoy- no breaking in required.

Posted: 10/26/2001 11:20:21 PM EDT

[#4]

The answer is:

D.) All of the above

Posted: 10/27/2001 12:35:36 AM EDT

[#5]

From Bushmaster's 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.

Posted: 10/27/2001 4:58:38 AM EDT

[#6]

As mentioned, no break-in required for chromelined. Here are ArmaLite's recommendationd for match barrels:

January 28, 2000

TECHNICAL NOTE 28,
Breaking in Match Barrels

PURPOSE:
To instruct purchasers of ArmaLite match rifles of proper break in procedures.

BACKGROUND:
All new rifle barrels suffer from internal machine marks that can scratch passing bullets. Bullet jacket metal can foul the pores of the new barrel. Leading competitive shooters believe that breaking their barrels in properly can lead to better accuracy and longer life.

BREAK IN:
ArmaLite Match Rifle barrels are produced from a custom, target grade blank. For optimum accuracy and improved life expectancy, it MUST be properly broken in. We recommend the following procedure:

Remove any existing copper fouling from the barrel by using a high-quality copper-removing solvent like Hoppe’s No. 9.

Fire 11 single shots, each followed by about 20 strokes of a tight fitting patch bearing J-B bore cleaner (available from Brownells, 515-623-5401). Use a Parker Hale or other wrap-around style jag rather than a slotted jag. From 12 to 30 shots, clean after each 3 shots. From 31 to 50 shots, clean after each 5 shots. Clean thoroughly with a high quality bore cleaner every 10 shots until 100 shots. This time-consuming process will allow the barrel to smooth out without an accumulation of copper fouling in the pores of the steel. The barrel should thereafter be cleaned every 20 rounds for best match accuracy. Accuracy continues to improve for several hundred rounds as the rifle breaks in.

ArmaLite recommends the use of Black Hills moly coated .223 Win Match ammunition for both break-in and competition. We believe that Black Hills moly coated ammunition reduces the break in period by half and lengthens the period between cleaning in matches. ArmaLite stocks Black Hills brand ammunition.

VIRTUALLY EVERY ACCURACY PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY FAILURE TO CAREFULLY BREAK THE RIFLE IN, FAILURE TO USE HIGH GRADE MATCH AMMUNITION, OR POOR MARKSMANSHIP.

Shoot str8,

Eddie

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