Shooting out a barrel...

[farmerj]

There are as many camps on breaking in a barrel as there are on cleaning it.

Very few shooters can actually outshoot a modern production rifle. The ones that can, are truly world class.

[Slayer_MN1]

When breaking in you are intentionally wearing things down/smoothing out any
tool marks left behind in your barrel. Once things are smooth and your barrel isn't fouling excessively anymore you stop the break in process. Cleaning has to get pretty darn excessive if you are going to wear out a steel barrel with a clean cotton patch. Now brushes on the other hand..

[Slayer_MN1]

There are as many camps on breaking in a barrel as there are on cleaning it.

Very few shooters can actually outshoot a modern production rifle. The ones that can, are truly world class.

I have to disagree with your statement, not many modern production rifles are capable of sub MOA groups at extended ranges, and I know many shooters who are more than capable of producing those type of groups consistently with a quality precision rifle. I wouldn't call these guys "world class" shooters.

[farmerj]

There are as many camps on breaking in a barrel as there are on cleaning it.

Very few shooters can actually outshoot a modern production rifle. The ones that can, are truly world class.

I have to disagree with your statement, not many modern production rifles are capable of sub MOA groups at extended ranges, and I know many shooters who are more than capable of producing those type of groups consistently with a quality precision rifle. I wouldn't call these guys "world class" shooters.

Terminology. If you want to split hairs do it with someone else. Going in to cabela's and getting a Remington 700 plain Jane is no where near the same class as a rifle that's been tuned even by the factory.

And a $399 savage special likewise is nothing like a $3000 weather by or Montana action as well.

Most common hunters are also not competitive shooters either nor are they anything close to being able to outshoot their rifle. I am addressing the 90% of the population, not the 10%

[Erud]

So.... How does breaking in a barrel play into this? I understand that you are suppose to clean after every round while breaking in a barrel, to season it, and close the pores? Is this correct? Seems everyone has a little different opinion on how / when you are suppose to clean a rifle barrel. And that over cleaning can be bad. Does this not apply while breaking in?

Lots of opinions on this one. People will point out different (and contradictory) articles by giants like Gale McMillan and one of the Krieger family to support their opinion. Mine is that it isn't worth the time. A high quality barrel doesn't need it, and a low-quality barrel won't be helped by it. I've seen some really rough factory barrels that would probably be helped by fire-lapping to get them to clean easier, but normal break-in procedures of shoot-clean-shoot-clean will not turn a 1 MOA rifle into a 1/4 MOA rifle, or even a 1 MOA rifle into a 7/8 MOA rifle. Just shoot them. If you need it to be accurate, start with a good barrel.

[Rip Van Winkle]

[OldmanFCSA]

I agree, a good barrel is the only way to start.
I use Fedderson 5R barrels.

[Rooster17]

Well I actually learned a lot from this thread. I used to run a single patch of rem oil through my barrels when done cleaning, then a dry one. Won't be doing that anymore. I didn't realize that teflon spray could really solidify that bad.