Breaking in barrels
- Thread starter Aljs123
- Start date
For the first 10 shots, I make sure to clean the barrel after each one. Then, for the next ten to 20rds, I’ll clean every 2 or 3 shots. After that, I stretch it out a bit maybe every 5-10 shots until I hit around 50rds. I always use a copper solvent and a bore guide to help me out, and I let the barrel chill for a bit between sessions. It's really not just about scrubbing away the grime, it's about keeping things consistent and showing a bit of love to my gear.
Billybob44
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2025
- Messages
- 39
Breaking in a barrel equals filling the grooves with copper.
On low price barrels more is needed to "Fill" in the rough edges.
The idea is to get smooth surface to get consistent friction or drag on the projectile for the most accuracy.
Your $300-$400.00 barrels will be "Smooth" right out of the box==your $100.00 barrels not so much.
Do NOT use copper cleaner to remove this copper "Film" on a new barrel after 50-100 rounds. The "Film" is what you want in the grooves.
Just use your standard solvent to remove the powder residue.
Barrels are like anything else=You get what you pay for.
The high $$ barrels will shoot One Hole Groups sooner than the cheap ones do...Bill.
On low price barrels more is needed to "Fill" in the rough edges.
The idea is to get smooth surface to get consistent friction or drag on the projectile for the most accuracy.
Your $300-$400.00 barrels will be "Smooth" right out of the box==your $100.00 barrels not so much.
Do NOT use copper cleaner to remove this copper "Film" on a new barrel after 50-100 rounds. The "Film" is what you want in the grooves.
Just use your standard solvent to remove the powder residue.
Barrels are like anything else=You get what you pay for.
The high $$ barrels will shoot One Hole Groups sooner than the cheap ones do...Bill.
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2025
- Messages
- 94
You didn’t state the cartridge. A rim fire is different from a center fire. Or at least lead vs. copper.
A lot of money can be used artificially breaking in a gun. I prefer to shoot them.
I’m also a proponent of leaving the “seasoning” in place. Over cleaning can temporarily reduce accuracy. I’ve become a big fan of the bore snakes. It’s more than adequate for most of us.
If you are shooting hundreds of rounds at a time in competition, something more robust may be needed. So much depends on how well your projectile fits the bore. Heavy lead or copper fouling are usual signs of a poor fit.
With a good custom barrel, you should have little to worry about.
A lot of money can be used artificially breaking in a gun. I prefer to shoot them.
I’m also a proponent of leaving the “seasoning” in place. Over cleaning can temporarily reduce accuracy. I’ve become a big fan of the bore snakes. It’s more than adequate for most of us.
If you are shooting hundreds of rounds at a time in competition, something more robust may be needed. So much depends on how well your projectile fits the bore. Heavy lead or copper fouling are usual signs of a poor fit.
With a good custom barrel, you should have little to worry about.
