Best way to break in a rifle?

Question

I'm getting my first rifle and ive heard that to break it in you need to shoot and clean it something like 10 times. its a 22 magnum any suggestions for a good way to break it in well.

Answer 1

Just shoot it and keep it properly cleaned.  No break-in is necessary with modern firearms.  That was a throw-back to the time of muskets when burrs could remain in the bore.  Saying that a rifle isn't accurate because the owner/shooter didn't follow a certain break-in ritual is just an excuse for poor marksmanship.  Modern rifles are as accurate as the shooter right out of the box.

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Answer 2

run a couple of patches through the bore ... use a little solvent on them.

I like to be sure the factory didnt leave any metal shavings in the barrel and want that packing grease out. Break down the stuff you would clean in the action and lube lightly..you dont mention what you have.. it will be different depending on what you have.

Shoot all you want that first session... I try not to over heat the barrel... so keep the strings short and allow cooling time.

Clean the bore and action out with solvent patches and brushes.. lightly oil the bore and actions and repeat this all again next weekend... <wink> That new .22 will last your lifetime.

Answer 3

If you bought this rifle new, simply clean it every few weeks and after each day at the range.

Modern firearms aren't like old time leather boots; there really isn't any "breaking-in required."

Always follow your manufacturer's guide lines for cleaning and oiling.

Answer 4

No break-in required, just shoot it.*

Answer 5

Go to your local Outdoors store and buy yourself a can of Rusty Duck & a bore snake specific to your caliber. find an old clean toothbrush and you are set. "Breaking-In." leave that to the burglers.

.22 Mag. isnt your typical competition rifle.

Answer 6

"breaking in" is witchcraft and black magic. it does nothing to improve the performance of the rifle.

Answer 7

I agree

Breaking in a hunting rifle is a waste of time (though it will probably shoot best once you get a few hundred rounds through it). Shoot your new gun and enjoy it.  

Answer 8

Barrel break in is critical for precision acuracy.  It is not necessary for the common hunting rifle.

This is from Lilja Barrels:

Break-in Procedure

For an effective break-in the barrel should be cleaned after every shot for the first 10-12 rounds or until copper fouling stops. Our procedure is to push a cotton patch that is wet with solvent through the barrel. This will remove much of the powder fouling and wet the inside of the barrel with solvent. Next, wet a bronze brush with solvent and stroke the barrel 5-10 times. Follow this by another wet patch and then one dry patch. Now soak the barrel with a strong copper removing solvent until all of the blue mess is removed from the barrel. The copper fouling will be heavy for a few rounds and then taper off quickly in just one or two shots. Once it has stopped or diminished significantly it is time to start shooting 5 shot groups, cleaning after each one. After 25-30 rounds clean at a normal interval of 10-25 rounds. Your barrel is now broken-in.