How to Prepare, and Care for a New Gun ~ The Break In Process Unveiled
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Learn how to properly take care of your new gun, and learn how to best prepare it for a lifetime of long, accurate service from an accuracy rifle owner and professional police firearms and sniper instructor who has owned nothing less than 30 sub-MOA rifles over nearly 50 years, and why only superbly accurate rifles are of interest to him. Learn what to expect from a new production rifle, and how they compare to rifles of years past. He reveals which brand of rifles are the most accurate and which will produce the most stellar accuracy. His revelations will surprise you! Discover his secrets to proper cleaning and protection of his fine firearms, and the products that he uses to keep them in top shooting condition, year after year. Learn about one of his most accurate and beautiful vintage guns, where he found this gem, and why he acquired it for next to nothing. He unveils the much celebrated break-in procedure in detail, and what it accomplishes. If you are interested in fine, accurate guns, this session will inform and perhaps surprise you.
Between Mr Gunblue490 and Mr. Paul Harrell, you get the straight dope. Thanks guys.
This man is a pillar of knowledge based in experience. No bull shit, no tangents, no pushing unproven data. Just the best damn information. My favorite firearms channel on TH-cam.
I cleaned my guns before firing and also inspected them. I clean my guns after firing them and inspect them again. There are lots of you-tubers taking products and money from various interests that only exist to separate us from out hard earned cash. This guy is NOT one of those.
worddunlap , I concur ... touché 👍🏻
"Empirical evidence." You don't hear those words from very many TH-camrs. :-)
He is the Man! Think about his background and experience, what a wealth of knowledge!
You dont need to clean hahahaha loser
Your "sit-down-shut-up," experience and evidence based, no nonsense, practical, videos are excellent...every one. I can listen many times to one and pick up on something new each time. I don't have family or friends who have this type of knowledge or experience...or interest (a generation lost since the 1960's), so thank you for using the Internet to share with folks like me, inspiring us to explore, learn, and share the joy of firearms, cartridges, and marksmanship. God bless you.
Generation lost for sure. These men will be missed
@UCxz6n8Qz9nNnP699CJwqsOA Go away tool.
@UCDG97b30xQdhGTZ3BPSsjsQ Get lost tool.
Well said!
Guys true knowledge,history,experience is flowing from my phone screen. I love this guy.
This is the kind of content that TH-cam was made for!
I'm so happy I found this video. I was almost about to give up on getting a rifle. When I heard that I would have to shoot about $300-$400 of ammunition through a $500-$600 beginner level rifle, I was like, no f..king way! It should be accurate and ready to shoot when I buy it. I loved your 'no BS' video, I found it very informative. Excellent job!
You'll have to sight it in that's it
KISS principal.
Truth. Love this. I'm sick of all these "tactical Tommies" on youtube. I grew up shooting my dad's Remington model 700 30-06.
Your videos are extremely reassuring and comforting to us. The "information" out there seems to be counter common sense driven by those either trying to sell something we don't really need or by people who simply don't have any long term practical experience and don't know what they're talking about. God bless you.
Thank you and God bless and keep you, too!
I have to say, im in australia and exactly the same myths about breaking guns in and copper fouling etc perpetuates here. I really appreciate your efforts to clear the fog and bestow your lifetime of knowledge on others.
I think the biggest difference is that GunBlue here isnt trying to sell you anything, just here to help us newer shooters out!
Dave-ish help ALL SHOOTERS out..been 27years in to it and I love this brothers series!
@@dave-ish8098 000
The moment you apologized after the bullsh- comment, I liked and subscribed. Straight shootin man of sincerity and class. Appreciated.
"attacking copper will attack steel"...you sir know what you're talking about. I'm a new fan. Thank you!
Chris Huss
Thank you. Yes, copper is one of the metals of choice where rust is a concern with exposure to any number of possible agents, which is why it's used for pipes, and pennies once were made entirely of it.
It’s very enjoyable as well as knowledgeable as we’ve all come to find out, watching this man. It warms my heart to see such a man as this reaching out through his videos to be a teacher to us all. They just don’t make’em like they used to. A people from a bygone era. I’m 26 and miss this type of people that I didn’t really have the opportunity to fully acquaint myself with. I will be registering and owning my very own first gun, a hand gun at that, when I get home from business this next Friday. I am very excited for it! It’s a Sig Sauer P226 Legion 9mm. I can’t wait to enjoy for the rest of my life and have it be the first of many guns that I will happily and proudly own! Take care and see you around 👊🏻
He's still up and kicking and still teaching us all! Not goin anywhere. Im 52 and I feel the same as you. You can head down to my local sandpit during a weekday and meet these great types of guys. Bench rest guys, gunsmiths, and great offhanded marksmen. And they'll all talk with you and if you grow big ears, you'll learn a lot! Get to know them and if they so inspire you, be the man you admire. I learned that's how I want to be and I do my part. He's a good dude that's for sure 👍
Wow, Over 60 years of experience, I would love to be a student.
Thank you! There is a TH-cam video where the channel host (The New Hunter's Guide) contacts 21 companies and only a couple had a break in process and only for the cheaper rifles. Totally agrees with what you are saying. Clean it and shoot it was the common response.
You are spot with there being no need to use a specific break in regimen for a firearm, that myth went out long ago. The late and brilliant John Noveske specifically stated that specifically after his extensive testing with his own manufactured firearms. Thank you for another great video.
Awesome video, i would listen to a guy that has been around guns and used them most of his life compared to some younger guy that thinks he knows every thing... keep up the good work 😊
Beware the young doctor and the old barber 😉
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this video. It was like listening to my dad 40 years ago. You describe exactly what this type of sport has become today. " Bullshit". Most of the channels on TH-cam cater more to the sponsors and the products (advertising) than they do the consumers that need that extra little bit of information to make them more assured about what they are doing.
I have never bought a new gun before, but I have owned many used. But as a young boy, I don't ever remember my father telling me to shoot-clean-shoot-clean-etc, when we went shooting. It was "be safe, have fun, mind your target and surroundings, and when you are done, clean and oil your gun so it is there for when you need it." Kudos to you Sir for putting everyone that sees this, back on the right path!
God bless you and yours!
This is the first video I have seen of yours. I am very impressed with your wisdom and presentation. That you for taking the time to produce this clip. Very informative. I enjoyed your honesty and foresight.
I just took out my .22 LR Mossberg bolt action model 320BB I bought when I was 16 back in 1976 or so. Today it shot 1 moa with its original iron sights using Lapua Standard Plus ammo.
Your videos are the best! They cut straight through the B.S!
Very interesting. I’m 60yrs old. I remember my granddad and his brother (a gunsmith) telling me to NEVER clean a barrel unless absolutely necessary. They believed it did more harm than good. Guns and Ammo magazine did an extensive cleaning study many years ago the control gun (not cleaned for a couple thousand shots) shot as well as barrels that were cleaned regularly
I keep the action clean and oiled but just run a swab or two down the barrel just to clean out some carbon but thats it. All my firearms run perfectly and are all sub moa
GunBlue490 for President!
Trump/GunBlue2016
Chrisdev01, Now what did GunBlue490, ever do to make you hate him 😁
Would have been a damned sight better than Trump or Hillary!
If you want the USA to look , be , like Venezuela vote for the likes of Hy-Lyery ! People in the USA thought that when Obummer talked about re-distribution of wealth he was going to take it from the rich and give to the poor in the USA ! Did he ever fool them he took it from the Americans & gave it to Moslems
Gunblue for the Canadian primeminister🙊
He reminds me of a friend of mine who had a wealth of knowledge. It was fun to just listen to him speak about guns and reloading.
Simple, logical & practical approach. Thanks
in my experience, a bit of fouling in the barrel, does give better groups till it gets too dirty.
You had me at bullshit sir. Im a new rifle owner, but ive been shooting for years with friends and family, but only range weapons. I bought my own rifle recently and its a 6.5mm creedmoor Ruger predator. I was worried about the "break in" because putting several relatively expensive rounds through it, just to break it in, seemed excessive. I appreciate your wisdom
This man is the Wikipedia of firearms. Every single videos answered my "what if" questions, comparison of methods, and etc. Good job sir!
You sir have a PhD. in Gunology. Thanks for the no nonsense approach to sharing your knowledge.
Hi Sir, I totally agree with you 1000%,my guns shoot sub MOA with hand loads, with out all the fancy preparation suggested by time wasters.
Like you said, instructions by the manufacturer are important to follow but that is it.
In one of the comments I have read that you are a blessing to USA, I can’t agree with that, I think you are a blessing to the world!
With your vast knowledge and kindness you really are a blessing to the world shooting fraternity .
Thank you once more and God Bless you for many years to come.
Mario from Sydney Australia
Simply awesome!
Love the idea for the oil cloth... Thanks so much.
I remember in 1968 on our NATO rifle team in W. Germany (PPCLI-Prix Leclerc) I never cleaned my FNC1A1 for 6 months and after 15, 000 rounds it was a little sticky to open, but for sure the FN worked well clean or dirty. I'm not Catholic, but that's my confession.
Thank you for passing this on.
Lets get this master to 100 k subs. He never really pushes that but he's worth it! He's needs only like 5k !
One thing to mention, when you shoot your rifle getting ready for hunting season remember if you clean the bore and put oil in it your first shot after cleaning is going to be off
I recently bought a Sig handgun and was surprised that the manual states to only use oil to clean the gun.
I have had three rifles now where I cleaned and plugged away. All three maintained sub minute groups all the way to 1000 shots. Two savages and a winchester. I don't have time for snake oils and witch magic. Great video, cemented what I've been taught as an aspiring gunsmith.
I won't say who I work for. I am a production employee at an ammunition plant. Ammunition is made in very high volumes. There are very strict criteria that has to be made for every part number produced to meet industry standards, law enforcement standards, and military standards.
Then there's variables like production quotas that come into play when management is feeling the squeeze from up top.
Employee moral. Long shifts, say 12 hours sometimes longer. (Yes the shifts run 24/7) I could go on. I will agree the best ammo is hand loaded. At least a person has control over quality control. Go by the books and you shouldn't have any problems.
Came upon your channel recently and subbed. 👍👍
You guys are the best. I have had occasion to work closely with folks at every level in the industry for many years, and you are extremely dedicated to your profession, and there was always a very attentive and sincere ear at the other end of the phone.
@@GunBlue490 Much appreciated. Keep on keeping on. 😃👍
Thank you again for cutting throught all the bullshit out there about gun owners. You have saved me a lot of money in the past, please keep up the great work. I have learnt a lot from your show in the last few years. Cheers
Thank you so much for your wisdom Sir, it was a big help.
Excellent information and I agree with you on this break end process,, being a combat nam veteran firing thousands of rounds through a m16 or m60 machine gun , the acurracy was never changed by how the weapon was cleaned or broken in,,, all that was needed was already done at the factory
I am a barrel maker for a rifle company that has a very high accuracy guarantee and we do not break barrels in. As you have said it is the copper that fills in spots
Fascinating and most informative LESSON. You got me on "bullshit". I have a new Ruger Precision Rifle that I will follow your regimen for breaking in. I learned the hard way with a .223 Wylde SS barrel Ar15 that over cleaning the barrel was counter-productive. Once I learned that copper fouling was a good thing the occasional flyer I was seeing disappeared! Thank you for sharing your wisdom sir. I will now proceed with watching your "How to Clean Your Rifle Professionally..." video. You now have a new subscriber with notifications turned on!
This man knows what he's talking about i been telling people this for years
Sir, God bless You. I can't tell you how much I enjoy and learn from your videos.
Not only are they interesting and informative, but they are relaxing. I am guessing I am around your age and I wish you the best of health and blessings from God. Thank You for everything you do.
Dan
I wish you were grandpa. Thank you sir for your knowledge.
This is the first one of your videos I’ve seen. I can tell you from a lifetime of Shootin that this by far is the most common sense information that I’ve ever heard a reloader or a gunsmith explain. I really appreciate the time that you put into this thank you for an and lightning video and teaching the soul dog some new tricks.
"Brushing your teeth while eating your corn"Hahahahahaha
Such a venerable character of a man.
I hope to one day. Have an opportunity to meet this humble sage individual.
I still use my pump action Remington 30-06,,& my Winchester model 94 30-30,,both rifles are very old,and very accurate with factory ammo,, I don't use any "Gimmicks" or " magic products,, and have had had great success with them...
What knowledge and experience this man has. I wish i knew half as much. Paul from Adelaide, South Australia
Haha i've been fed BS!! Thanks for telling it like it is!! Ive always been led to believe clean shoot clean. Old man sounds like he spot on to me and ill tell everyone else the same from now on!!! Thanks!!
so true, it's like when i was buying the old mil-surp rifles and if you got lucky and got it with the box it came in it may have a small package with spent round case in it where after they did the barrel proofing on it with a hot load they would do the normal round through it and that's it. this also true with new guns now where you get a package with a shell casing in it to show yeah it fired and and is good to go,
Spot on. Especially about the benefits of copper equilibrium for accuracy. Anybody who has actually collected data on a rifle from cradle-to-grave learns these lessons.
Lubrication; I like Hoppes for maintenance but am a Ballistol fan overall. It does such a great job with wood and leather as well. It's the only thing I use for black powder muskets and bullet moulds. Haven't had to deal with a spot of rust in 20+ years.
We have a BR club with some new members. I am sending this video onto them. Bravo Sir! and regards from Australia.
THANK YOU! I was at the range and I saw a guy doing the shoot one clean shoot 5 clean ect. and I asked why he said breaking it in RIGHT. I thought crap I never do that. Glad I don't have to. I clean the new gun then shoot and usually clean it after shooting but not every bullet! Glad to hear!
Ladies and gents... It is amazing how much controversy exists on this topic. From personal experience I can tell you that GunBlue is 100% accurate on this topic. I proved it to myself by taking two identical quality new rifles and going through the “BS” break in on one and none on the other except for giving it a proper cleaning. After finalizing the supposed break in process on the one, I can tell you that both rifles shot the same roughly 1/2 MOA @ 100 Yards. Save your money folks. No need to blow $200 or more on quality ammo. Just take good care of your long guns, get out there, shoot and have some fun. Well that’s my .02 cents and God Bless...
u r a legend
How can I trust this video without the requisite intro of a weekend GI Joe tossing brass to heavy metal music? GunBlue, I'm a newbie here and I'm glad I found you. Practical, sound, documented instruction based on experience. Thank you for this channel! Like Hickock 45, you're the genuine article.
@GunBlue490, your's and Paul Harrell's video's are the only over 30 minute video's I can sit and watch.
Thanks for imparting your knowledge and experience. I'm just got a new RI 1911 .45acp, my first handgun. I've been waiting to go shoot it b'cuz I had no idea about cleaning before I shoot and break in.
The best advise I have heard came from a barrel manufacturer. Shoot 50 rounds fairly rapidly. That's it; get the barrel warm, get some copper in the bore, and then start shooting groups.
I'm a qualified motorcycle mechanic and watched a TH-camrs motorcycle channel. His maintenance was anally retentive b.s. KISS is a principal to be applied to most things.
Thanks for your honest information. I'm new to gun ownership, have 3 new guns and was wondering how to break them in. Your video has answered all my questions, thank you.
Normally I think your views are old and outdated but I still appreciate them! This is the first thing we agree on so far!
Truth never becomes outdated.
You sir are the font of wisdom.
Fascinating commentary I've gotta say. I've been shooting pretty much my whole life and I learned a lot from this video. 👍👍 I would never run a brush down a precision rifle barrel however. Just patches and solvent. Never knew that about the mineral spirits either, good to know!
The depth of your knowledge is astounding. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!
Nothing short of awesome!!
You kind of resemble one fine gentleman called Ed Harris, a true reloading guru and a writer who wrote for gun magazines for many years.
Your wisdom all makes full sense and is truly eye opening in many ways. Liked and subscribed. Cheers
I learned a lot about firearms and shooting in my childhood and teen years, back in the 70's and eighties from an uncle who passed back around 1989. Never once did I hear this crazy story about the clean , shoot , clean , shoot and so on break in thing. The first time I heard it was on the internet. I knew it was a Whopper.
Thanks for your honesty and your experience
YOU ARE THE BEST THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH US
THIS MAN IS A GEM! MUCH RESPECT FOR MR. GUNBLUE490!
finally some down to earth common sense and experience from decades of shooting
Thank you for your knowledge and sharing it.
No bull shit information on social media love it, thank you sir
About to pickup my first 2 guns next week. Glad i found your video. Thank you!
I really like and appreciate your videos. You provide enough information, history, and facts that satisfies a hungry mind for knowledge.
Sir I love your common sense! thank you,
Thanks, great video. I just bought an X Bolt, Max Long Range. Called Browning they said shoot one round then wire brush the barrel with a good solvent. Do this 3 times your good.
I just bought a Winchester Model 73. I have not fired it yet. Winchester recomends the following. Do you not agree with what they say?
What is the recommended procedure for breaking in a new barrel?
For the first ten shots we recommend, if possible, using jacketed bullets with a nitro powder load. After firing each bullet, use a good copper cleaner (one that has ammonia) to remove copper fouling in the barrel. If you look into the end of the barrel after firing a shot, you will see a light copper-colored wash in the barrel. This must be removed before firing the next shot. Somewhere in the procedure at around shot 6 or 7, it will be obvious that the copper color is no longer appearing in the barrel. Continue applications through shot 10.
If you have any ammunition left, you then may shoot two rounds and clean it for the next ten shots. This is simply insurance that the burnishing process has been completed.
In theory what you have just accomplished is the closing of the pores of the barrel metal which have been opened and exposed through the cutting and lapping procedures.
The same process may be used with firing lead bullets and black powder to do the break-in procedure with the exception that in this case you should shoot 2 bullets before cleaning for the first 30 rounds. You could use harder lead if available. This will accelerate the break-in. This will accomplish the same thing as the jacketed bullets.
After following the procedure, your barrel's interior surface will be sealed and should shoot cleaner and develop less fouling for the rest of its shooting life.
Mustard Green
Their text indicates that they lap their barrels at the factory, which is not customary practice for most production rifles. The 73 is commonly shot with lead, non jacketed bullets, as well as jacketed, so leading can be an issue. Miroku, who made the gun in all likelihood, is a very fine gunmaker, and their process is quite straightforward. Their language about filling pores, especially before using lead, is consistent with everything I teach. The reason they do one round at a time is to accelerate the process that would otherwise be done over a larger number of shots with guns that use jacketed ammo exclusively, so that lead will not find a home. Once lead has dug into pores, it's almost impossible to remove, and becomes an attractant to more lead, and even copper.
Their break in process is very reasonable, makes sense, is in keeping with my long standing recommendations, and should be followed. This is not a process that Winchester recommends for their standard jacketed bullet high power rifles, so it's a rather specific process for such guns as the 1873 and others prone to firing lead, and no such inference should be drawn.
I know that you have herd this more than once but, you are really a wealth of information. So far I've watched 3 vids on your channel looking forward to watching all. Keep'em coming. I just bought a Rem 700 SPS in 243 on my way to the club burn some powder put a Bell & Carlson M40 stock on it. I didn't core to much for the factory stock cheap plastic and flimsy. God Bless.
Awesome video thanks 😊 I appreciate it. 👏👏👏
This is informative. Thanks
Great channel and wisdom. You documenting your experience is appreciated!
Thanks for this video...I had suspicioned the same thing but it is nice to get some real experience on the subject.
I gotta say I agree with you 100% but I have to admit that with the purchase of my last rifle I did indulge in some sort of break in procedure not because it made it shoot any better because I really believe it doesn't but it made me feel good about trying something to improve and prolong the performance of my investment. Even now knowing that it is a pointless exercise I'd probably still do it again jist to have a good reason to tinker with my new toys
I think part of the myth of barrel break in and improved accuracy is more the action mating to the stock. I’ve seen rifles “settle down” after a box of ammo. Like you said soft bullet hardened steel but think soft stock hard action there will be some mating
Yeah I brought a brand new Bergara b14 ridge to the range today and after the first 3 shots or so it immediately went to sub-moa and got down below 1/2” at some points. Like this gentleman explained, if the gun shoots best fouled then why on earth would we immediately try to un-foul it? Has never made sense to me. I have never done it and have never had issues.
Very good informative video as I love the old school simplicity that you state about it is just machined steel and keep it simple...
Awesome ... another excellent video. I have own rifles all my life and have never engaged in barrel break in and they all shoot excellent if I do my part.
The only thing iv noticed on new guns that brake in is the action and triger . As you use the fierarm, the triger and the bolt become smoother after a few hundred rounds. This is just normal wear. Never noticed that a barrel needed to be broken in 😂
God Bless you sir. A beacon of truth in a sea of hype (Bull).
Thank you.
intelligent, knowledgeable, gentlemanly, benevolent, pragmatic, all in all very nice videos
Thank you...Thank you...Thank you...I've been saying thins same thing for years and no one will listen!
I am so glad I found your channel. Its nice to have someone give you the facts. My question is if a copper bullet will never wear down the imperfections in a barrel than why is it that you can shoot out a barrel? I'm trying to educate myself as much as I can..
I discussed that matter in a few videos but I can give a quick answer. Barrels wear for three causes: heat, erosion, and friction; friction being the least. At the instant of firing, the heat immediately in front of the chamber is greater than the melting temperature of the barrel, but is dissipated harmlessly by the barrel mass, as a mechanical heat sink. Depending on the size of the cartridge case relative to the bore diameter and barrel mass, succesive shots will raise the temperature of the steel ahead of the chamber, and if enough shots are fired in succession, the steel will begin to soften and expand at the surface, causing microscopic stress cracks. Powder particles erode the weakened vulnerable steel and sand blast the metal; the severity being in proportion to the size of the charge to the diameter of the bore.
Bore to case size ratio and barrel mass are the determining mechanical factors in the speed of a barrel's decay from those two factors, but indiscriminate shooting without allowing for cool-down can significantly speed the process, easily cutting barrel life to a fraction. Small calibers with excessively large powder charges erode the swiftest. A number of intensely fast cartridges are notoriously barrel killers when fired indiscriminately.
The third factor that I mentioned is bullet friction. It's constant along the barrel length, from chamber to muzzle. In practical terms, it's a theoretical factor, because it's an incredibly slow process, and barrels are dead at the leade of the rifling before barrel wear along it's length is measurable. In fact, machine gun barrels are replaced in the field when cooked in combat. Only the first couple of inches ahead of the chamber are worn; the rest being as new, unaffected by friction.
But, friction wear is not caused because soft bullets wear off steel. Friction causes heat, and it's the heat that eventually gives way to erosion.
Makes perfect sense. Thank you for your time and answer.
Very glad to hear my guns were treated absolutely correct- they were fired with no nonsense
YOU are simply THE BEST!
John Doe bravo
Some of these "Solvent" companies, the ones who sell you the remedy for the "Problem" they create, reminds me of the big Pharmaceutical companies, who, in turn, sell you a drug for a "Disease" they create..... Thanks, GB, always knowledge to be absorbed!
Can you elaborate on today's cold-hammer foraged process a bit more?
As I understand it it, the hammering actually strengthens the steel by changing the molecular structure, actually making something smoother and longer lasting.
Does this sound right?
Also, I'm finding today's patches and jags are much harder to push through a bore than simple eyelet/patch combinations of years ago.
Does this really make that much of a cleaning difference?
Cold hammer forging is rapidly becoming an industry-wide standard, but it has been around for quite a long time. Weatherby was advertising it for their rifles at least as far back as the 70s. CNC and robotics have combined with more sophisticated and elaborate machines that make the process more attractive to gun builders cost wise, while making a better product.
Essentially, the process is quite simply a matter of placing a mandrel that is a negative of the bore interior into a drilled blank, that is then hammered upon from all sides at once upon the mandrel surface, producing a finished, polished interior.
The older machines produced a parallel exterior of the same outside diameter that required a full lathe operation to cut the barrel to final dimensions, followed by finishing and polishing operations. Most companies didn't see much advantage in costly machines that simply substituted a costly rifling method for traditional inexpensive cutting or broaching methods.
Modern CNC robotic machines, on the other hand, produce barrels that are 95% complete, with full outer profiles and chambers, requiring only light outer finish turning, and whatever polishing or exterior finish is desired.
The advantages with today's cold hammer forging are significant. Having been ironed down onto a mirror bright mandrel, the barrel interior is likewise mirror smooth. Contrast that with the rotational drilling marks on top of rifling lands, and longitudinal scraping marks on the base of the grooves that are created with traditional cut rifling.
The added benefit of the process is the imparting of uniform stress in the barrel that doesn't get kinky as it warms up, as with barrels subjected to heavy lathe cutting and interior deep drilling.
Based on my experiences with both high grade custom barrels and the current crop of cold hammer forged production barrels, I personally believe that cold hammer forging has put the custom shops into a bind. Yes, they achieve interior smoothness by labor intensive hand lapping, and they heat or cryogenically stress relieve their barrels. But, those processes simply seek to correct the problems inherent in traditional barrel making methods that are not imparted in hammer forging to begin with.
Ordinary, off the rack, pencil thin sporter rifles routinely shoot groups that frankly, must be embarrassing to custom gun makers. Unless one is building a particular rifle that is unavailable from production companies, as with a heavy barrel bench rifle, I see no advantage in a custom barrel that's made on the same kind of obsolete machines used in production factories over 80 years ago.
This is great! Informative and entertaining. Thanks.
As you point out it is obvious that brass and copper are much softer than steel and the softer material is the one to wear. Why then do long distance shooters speak of barrels having a limited lifespan before their accuracy is compromised. The other term I have heard used is "the barrel is shot-out." Is this related to overheating or erosion by the burning powder?
Thank you for your informative video and considered response.
Best regards.
Make no mistake. Barrels DO wear out! Three things are significant to the life of a barrel under normal conditions of firing: 1.) heat, which alters molecular structure of barrels, especially closest to the chamber throat and rifling leade, and causes structural surface deterioration, particularly forward of the chamber, where heat is most intense; 2.) erosion, caused by powder granules abrading the bore before they are completely burned; 3.) friction, which causes heat from the passage of a bullet down a barrel. Double based Ball (sperical) powders have long been associated with increased barrel wear, though they tend to be favored by shooters for their easy measuring qualities.
The greater any or all of the three, the faster the barrel deterioration, sometimes all out of proportion to the velocity gain. Factually, velocity increases in inverse proportion to powder consumed. This can be seen by comparing the velocity gain of a 30-06 over a .308 Winchester compared to the percentage of powder in the case, behind the same bullet weights. Then, compare the 30-06 to the .300 Winchester Magnum, and the percentage of powder increases, as the velocity gain rises at a lower rate. As huge as it is, the big Browning .50 is quite easy on barrels, being a standard bore to chamber ratio like a 30-06, and is not by any means an over-bore cartridge.
Furthermore, the more quickly shots are fired before cooling is allowed, the swifter the heat builds up, speeding the damage. This is a huge factor, especially in timed competition, where shooters are hurried, or when they are trying to "catch the (same) wind" conditions, coupled with extremely large powder chambers and relatively small bores.
Take heed, that standard (military design) cases, using standard size bores tend to be more forgiving, and can last significantly longer than cases that have been a.) sized down to smaller diameters, thus accelerating erosion; b.) magnum calibers that have large case capacities in relation to their bore diameters, that exaggerates all the previously mentioned conditions, often very dramatically. Some of the extremely long range cartridges being used are exceptionally heavy on all three. The popular .338 Lapua Magnum can flame over twice the amount of powder down a bore than other cartridges of similar bore diameter and bullet weight. That's a huge amount of powder going down a medium sized bore! Some ultra magnum cases have been reported by commercial testing facilities to cause significant wear on a barrel in as few as 300 shots; barely enough to find a good load. One of the oldest and classic examples of this was the .220 Swift and the .264 Winchester Magnum, which both were known for being hard on barrels, for all the above reasons. There is no free lunch when it comes to fabulous velocity. Those desiring great barrel life must look to more standard size cases, which do not have heavy appetites for powder and small diameter bores in relation to case capacity.
This is entirely consistent with what I described in my video, which is an examination of an invalid claim about breaking in barrels, which is quite another matter from burning them out and exhausting them. Barrels are not broken in by bullets, but yes, barrels do get shot out! Consider this, when a shooter is wasting the limited barrel life of a hard magnum cartridge by a silly break-in routine.
Such a great video! Thanks!
Any good machinist will clue you on cleaning steel.. any surfactant with a volatile to help lift soils will work. For bores same stuff with a touch of ammonia to remove SOME but not all of the copper.