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New Rifle Break-in

justright58justright58 Member Posts: 333 ✭✭✭
edited January 2008 in Ask the Experts
Good Day Forum,
I just took delivery on an Armalite AR10 A4 Carbine, 16" chrome-lined .308.
I've heard a few different scenarios of break in, but this is a new one to me: Use moly coated bullets instead of FMJ.
I've never shot moly stuff, so I'd have to buy a few boxes before going to the range Saturday. I'd planned to use factory Federal Gold Match 168 BTHP, one shot, brush then swab, one shot brush then swab for about the first 50.
I'd sure appreciate some input on this since it took a while to save those many Benjamins to get it.
Many Thanks !!!
John[8D]

Comments

  • ChetStaffordChetStafford Member Posts: 2,794
    edited November -1
    Justright,
    Barrel break-in will not affect accuracy what it will effect is how much fouling you get in the barrel in essence what you are doing when you break a barrel in is polishing it.

    I would not suggest using moly coated for break-in I would use the uncoated stuff

    It is up to you but there is an opinion on it. Also if it has a scope on it use you break in shots to go ahead and dial your scope inso you can save barrel life[;)]
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Do a search on the subject and you will gain a lot of information. This very topic gets asked several times a month. There are dozens of threads full of information.

    Congrats on your new rifle! [:D]
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it were me, I would stay away from the moly for the break in. I do believe your barrel is chrome lined also. For breaking in, I would shoot 5 shots, clean, and let cool....then repeat this process 20 times.

    Our fine moderator Nononsense has a feel for breaking in barrels, as he does a lot of bench rest. I am sure if you e-mailed him, or if he sees this he will chime in. The guy is an absolute wealth of information, as is Bert H when it comes to Winchesters.
  • straubstraub Member Posts: 61 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just shoot it, The more you clean it the more you wear it out! The only time I clean mine is when Accuracy starts to suffer.

    Thank you
    Mike Straub
  • mstrblastermstrblaster Member Posts: 251 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey, I'm brand new. I bought a great Armalite AR10 a few years ago. If you ask 100 people how to break in a rifle, you will get 150 answers. You should know, however, that Armalite has a fantastic website. You can get lots and lots of information on specs on the rifles, and also how to break it in! I hope you like your rifle as much as I like mine.
    To my mind it is wholly irresponsible to go out into the world incapable of preventing violence, injury, crime, and death. How feeble is the mindset to accept defenselessness, how cheap, how cowardly, how pathetic. Ted Nugent.
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    justright58,

    The purpose of the "shoot and clean-each shot, then for so many" is to knock down minute machine marks in the barrel. As csjs noted 'polishing' it. You are really wearing it in at this point not wearing it out. The more you knock down the high spots now the less they will remain and foul your barrel with copper down the road. Once flattened a bit they tend to pick up less copper and allow you to shoot longer without cleaning as much.
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    justright58,

    Two quick things to point out:

    - Chrome lined barrels do not require or benefit from a break in like non-lined barrels do. Chrome lining is very hard and there is little effect from your break in efforts. The machining marks left in the barrel from manufacturing will not be smoothed out since they are coated with chrome. Armalite used to state that you should just shoot a chrome lined barrel 200 times without heating it up and give it a good cleaning. Then shoot and clean as necessary.

    - Bullets that are moly coated are counterproductive to the process of barrel break in. It is an absolute waste of time, effort and money to attempt to break in a barrel using moly coated products. Moly reduces friction and you want to have friction in order to accomplish the least little bit of smoothing during the break in shooting. If you did use moly it would also add another layer of fouling that requires some different handling to get rid of when you do clean.

    Go sight your rifle in and enjoy yourself.

    Best.
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