breaking in new rifle barrel?

bhale187

I've heard that when "breaking in" or "curing" the barrel of a new rifle one should clean the bore after each shot for the first 20 or so rounds. I've also heard of this cryo-freezing process that "cures" the barrel by freezing it at something like 300 below. Question is does the freezing really help assure accuracy and extend barrel life? Also does this freezing allow for skipping the clean after every round "curing"?

oneshy

The cleaning is OK. Is the person who advised you to freeze, out to get you?

218Beekeep

It`s like deja vu all over again.

bhale187

danocome on make an * outta me for asking-I have no clue on the subject which is why I ask.oneshyOn the freezing deal I first heard it from a guy on a nearby police dept ERT team who said he had done this to a few different rifles and a slide & barrel on two pistols, also heard someone suggest it on another board. The freezing, as I understand it, was originally done on drill bits and other tools as a type of hardening process and evolved into use on everything metal you can think of including entire cars. I'm no metallurgist so I don't really understand the process.

hacker

the type of freezing you are referring to takes much colder tamperatures than you can get without specialized equipment. the reason for the above comments is that some time ago someone else asked this question and some of the posts got little out of hand.

218Beekeep

"I`m no metallurgist ,so I don`t really under stand the process",Where have we heard that before???HE,HE,HE,HO,HO,HO,HA,HA,HA

ironsites

O.K. Metals such as the ones used in barrels don't have a consitant molecular structure. This can cause irregular patterns at different temperatures. The "deep freeze" and gradual warming causes the molecules to "collect" evenly, thus a more uniform strenght and hardness- the result- even wave vibrations during shots and tighter groups. Shoot 5 rounds-clean, shoot 5 more-clean, repeat to 50 rounds. Do not use a fouling cleaner till 200 rounds as you want the copper * to fill the small voids in the barrel and shots will be more accurate. Don't worry about the freezing unless you can't get 1" or better groups at 100 yards by testing different loads or brands of rounds. If freezing is your goal- make sure to have the barrel floated when it is re-installed. "THATS ALL FOLKS"

Highball

" You want the copper * to fill the small voids in barrel ".......Perfect way to set up a ruined barrel.The proper procedure is to remove ALL deposits between shots...not allow the buildup to continue.This prevents rusting UNDER the deposits,also. http://www.shilen.com/frequent.htm Go to the link,will answer several questions for you.

beachmaster73

bhale187...dano isn't really making fun of your question. We recently had a very acrimonious thread which started on this subject. You should still be able to call it up and review it at your leisure. Several different procedures were listed. By concentrating on the procedures and ignoring the acrimonious comments you should come away with the information you need. As far as the cryo treatment is concerned a lot of match shooters have done it and have noticed improved accuracy. It is supposed to extend the life and accuracy of the barrel through "molecular realignment". The process is expensive, usually from $75-$150 per barrel. I have talked with top match shooters who believe in it and some other top flight shooters who question the actual improvement it gives the barrel. If you have the money to burn go for it..if not save the money for extra ammo. Until you are shooting High Master scores you probably would be better off spending the money on the ammo. Beach

ranahan

I vote with beach. Spend the money on ammo and practice. However I did used to know a Lakota medecine man near Cedar Bute S.D. who would do a devil dance and a blessing on a new rifle for $10 bucks and a six pack; (or sometimes $5 and a sixpack or somtimes just the six pack). 'Said it got rid of any evil sperits and introduced your new rifle to your particular "helper spirits"; without which formal introduction they would spurn it. After you get through with that shoot/clean ritual, you might go out to the Rosebud Res. and look him up.Highly reccomended. Only thing was, he always wanted to knock the sights off the rifle with a hammer. 'Said they insulted his medicine. That's what the sixpack was for, to smooth over the insult.He would share the six pack with you though.ranahan[This message has been edited by ranahan (edited 09-25-2001).][This message has been edited by ranahan (edited 09-26-2001).][This message has been edited by ranahan (edited 09-26-2001).]

bhale187

THANKS TO ALLI'll have to look up the other post I missed it first time around. It sounds like for a shooter of my level I'm better off just spending the money on ammo.

boucher

Shoot once, clean the barrel, shoot once, clean the barrel. Do this 10 times then clean every other shot. Do this 10 times then every 3rd shot. That is 50 rounds. You want to break the barrel in by allowing as much metal to metal contact (use jacketed rounds) as possible so that the imperfections in the barrel can be sort of sanded away by the jacketing. There is also a process called LAP Firing where you purchase a kit that comes with special low powered bullets some type of sticky compound and very fine grit. You coat the bullets with the sticky stuff and roll them in the grit then fire them. Again, you must clean the barrel after every shot.

ysacres

Thanks Pig

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