03-25-2014, 08:49 PM
I've read several opinions on what constitutes the proper method for breaking in a barrel, and have never really seen how one method differed from another. It also occurred to me that break-in was usually reserved for something which needed further polishing of moving parts, in order to ensure that continued "high speed" use would not harm the product, such as a piston engine. Well, while looking up some related information, I came across this:
http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical...-a-barrel/
It is a condensation of the opinions of arguably one of the shooting world's best barrel makers and bench rest shooters.
To summarize, it is the late Gale McMillan's opinion that barrel break-in is good for nothing more that eroding a barrels useful shooting life. He further says that the first barrel maker he knew of that provided break-in instructions informed him that it amounted to a 10% increase in sales.
Further, it is clear that he abhors the use of any abrasive pastes to remove virtually anything from the bore, since wear cannot be adequately controlled without a lead lap.
Surprisingly, he mentioned his preference to brass / bronze brushes, even over nylon. I have always been under the impression that nylon was less abrasive than either SS or bronze phosphate brushes. Learn something new, every day, I guess.
One of the products he had recommended (bearing in mind that the source is now over 5 years old) was something called "Outers Foul Out". Sadly, I discovered that this is a discontinued product. Has anyone here used this? If so, have you found a suitable replacement?
http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical...-a-barrel/
It is a condensation of the opinions of arguably one of the shooting world's best barrel makers and bench rest shooters.
To summarize, it is the late Gale McMillan's opinion that barrel break-in is good for nothing more that eroding a barrels useful shooting life. He further says that the first barrel maker he knew of that provided break-in instructions informed him that it amounted to a 10% increase in sales.
Further, it is clear that he abhors the use of any abrasive pastes to remove virtually anything from the bore, since wear cannot be adequately controlled without a lead lap.
Surprisingly, he mentioned his preference to brass / bronze brushes, even over nylon. I have always been under the impression that nylon was less abrasive than either SS or bronze phosphate brushes. Learn something new, every day, I guess.
One of the products he had recommended (bearing in mind that the source is now over 5 years old) was something called "Outers Foul Out". Sadly, I discovered that this is a discontinued product. Has anyone here used this? If so, have you found a suitable replacement?