Would you try and break in a new rifle before spending much time:

1) Sighting it in
2) Develop a load for it

If so, what would be the procedure?

No. I either use factory fodder or make up a mid-low range load to sight in. Then I develop a load for it. By the time I have a good load or two the gun is "broken in".

Clean it, load what will be the lowest test charge, shoot 3, cool, adjust the scope, shoot 3 cool. They usually need 3 more. After round 7, I will adjust the scope one last time. Then shoot 8 and 9.

Load development at distance is next.

Clean it when it tells me it needs it.

Kinda like this way

I shoot a three shot group. Adjust the scope and shoot another 3 shot group. If need be, adjust the scope and shoot another 3 shot group. Almost exactly what Jason does. In other words, no real "break in" procedure. Just go shoot.

Interesting that someone with well over 13,000 posts would ask such a basic question.

Wtf? I think it’s interesting that you’re so oblivious that you still post at all on this forum.

If you are the type that cleans your rifle regularly, like maybe ex military or such, break in by getting it hot and cleaning it while hot will season the barrel, like seasoning an iron skillet. That will facilitate easier cleaning, at least it did for me. If you are more the let it ride type, then let it ride. As far as accuracy goes I have not seen any improvement by break in. I have however saw many factory rifles get better after having 30-40 rounds down range.

From The guy that always complains about being civil on the forum.

Interesting that someone with so little rifle experience always touts the break-in procedure. Even though you do not have your own data to lean on, only copy and paste from sources other than your own.

Yeah, and a guy with almost 20k posts continues to amaze us with how much of a dumbasss he is.

He is looking for articles to post as we speak...

How did that comment work out for you, Trash Can Dan?
Good ?

He is cussing the article gods in his front yard is my guess.

I bore sighted the rifle at a target 35 yards away then skipped a step shooting up close moving straight to 100 yards. I've never done that before.

First shot missed the target....well crap. Let me try one more time. Number 2 touched the bullseye at the 10:00 position. I figured that was a fluke so shot #3. It lays in right next to and touching #2. Made adjustments to the scope and shot #4-7 and I was zero'd. 3/4 MOA! Guess break in wasn't necessary.

Unfortunately shots 8-10 got loose and opened up to 1.25 MOA. Figured it probably needed to be cleaned but I didn't have my gear with me. Or maybe I didn't wait long enough for the barrel to cool or it was the nut behind the wheel.

I was at the back of the property instead of my usual shooting spot because of the !@#$ cows and it was getting cold.

Tell us about the rifle. Did you shoot it as it is shown in the sled?

Shot #1 missed that bad, probably from being totally clean.

What you observed in tightening up, is more common than not. Customs and mass production rifles alike.

Shots 8-10 "got loose", most likely a hot barrel. That one doesn't look too heafty.

This is where I am blessed. I can shoot from the shop, only feet away from the loading bench. Load 3, shoot 3. While the barrel is cooling, load another 3, check how hot the barrel is, repeat as necessary. In summer, I will park a small box fan in front of the muzzle, blowing straight into the rifle.

Is that a house in the background?

Bergara Premier Mountain .308.

Yes



Hay bails.

That is a sweet set up Jason. I keep telling myself I need to bring a couple of rifles out to you.

Do it.

I will give you a copy of all the notes I take. My goal is always to get the rifle shooting as best the rifle can shoot.

Your questions are kind of redundant.

You break it in as you're sighting it in just by sending rounds downrange. You also break it in as you're developing a load because well, you're sending rounds downrange.

So you shot a 3/4" group, that's not bad at all. I'd be curious how it would shoot out of the sled with a front bipod or bag, and a rear bag. You definitely have it going your way. What ammo are you using? I've shot a .308 for about 5 years, and it's performed great in the filed putting down everything I've shot at. Many, many big hogs and some good deer dead on the spot.

Manufacturers have recommended break in procedures. One of these even specifically says don't bother sighting in until you go through the steps.


https://bergarausa.com/pdf/B14_Detached_mag_manual.pdf
https://www.howausa.com/faq/
https://service.savagearms.com/hc/en-us/articles/214238323-What-is-the-barrel-break-in-procedure-

I’ll stick with the opinions of Kreiger, LaRue, and my personal experience with match grade barrels. I’ve never seen a “break in” ritual make a difference. I have a half dozen barrels that shoot .1, .2, .3 groups that just had a wet patch down the bore to clean it out before firing.