Just like a new pair of boots, your precision rifle’s barrel benefits from break in. The basic process can not only help improve accuracy, but it can make the barrel easier to clean, too.

That said, let’s shed a little more light on what is meant by breaking in a precision rifle barrel, followed by the general process.

What Is Break in, and Is It Absolutely Necessary?

First off, the process of breaking in a rifle’s barrel is intended to smooth out any rough spots or aberrations created during the process of cutting the rifling in the barrel. It is specific to the barrel, though “breaking in” can also refer to the process of smoothing out the action and the magazine through use.

Breaking in a barrel will even out any burrs, ridges, and other rough edges present in the barrel, thereby creating a more consistent and accurate barrel. Since breaking in eliminates most aberrations, it can also make the barrel easier to clean because there will be less overall surface area for fouling to adhere to.

Now, the process of breaking-in a precision rifle barrel is not absolutely necessary simply because, through use, and over time, shooting bullets through the barrel will smooth it out and break it in, too.

Therefore, this is not a process that you need to actively execute. That said, many shooters prefer to actively break in their barrels because it speeds along the process.

How to Break in the Barrel

The first step in breaking in a precision rifle barrel is to clean it thoroughly, to remove any powder, copper or lead fouling there is in the barrel, leftover from factory proofing.

Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the barrel, the next step requires live-fire. Select a hot load for your rifle, one that produces higher pressure and muzzle velocities. Fire a single shot, then clean the barrel. Repeat the process three times, then move onto three shot groups.

Fire three shots, clean the barrel, then repeat the process three times. Now you should  be at twelve total shots, and six rounds of cleaning.

Most precision rifle barrels will be mostly broken in between 10 and 50 shots. After 12, you should be more or less ready to begin practicing or competing with your rifle, but feel free to continue the break-in process, switching to five-round groups to speed things along once you complete the last of the three sets of three shot groups.

Once you’ve passed between 10 and 50 rounds through your fresh factory barrel, you will have smoothed out some of the inconsistencies and burrs in the chamber and barrel, and started to break in the action, too.

This will result in a rifle that is smoother and more enjoyable to shoot, potentially more accurate, and easier to clean, too.

Moreover, despite the fact that the process of breaking in a precision rifle barrel is somewhat tedious and laborious, it is relatively easy and straightforward to accomplish, and even though it takes a while, it doesn’t require any unique skill or knowledge beyond that of how to field strip and clean a rifle.

Here for a New Precision Rifle?

Don’t have a precision rifle in your collection yet? Visit B&B Firearms. In addition to ELR rifles, they carry a wide selection of precision rifles from the most respected manufacturers in the firearms industry, along with precision and extreme long-range shooting accessories, attachments, and ammo.

And, if you’re considering getting a precision or ELR rifle from them, you can take advantage of their interest-free payment plans, too. Visit their website for more details.

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