How Do You Break-In A New Handgun or Rifle?

My Centerfire Rifle Break-In Procedures

As with your handgun, the first thing to do is read through your rifle manual so you learn all about it. Before you do anything with your rifle you must check to see that it is completely unloaded. If you have a magazine – remove it.  Then work your action 5 or 6 times to eject any bullets that might be in your gun.  Then visually check the chamber and magazine area for any bullets and then place your finger in there to verify that it is clear.

Now you can examine your rifle completely for any issues, problems, or blockage, then examine your rifle to make certain that it is unloaded. Then disassemble your rifle placing all your small parts in a container (so they don’t get lost), and the large parts can be placed in order on your gun cleaning mat. Then clean each piece (large and small parts) to remove any grease or oil left behind by the manufacturer and place them back on the mat or container for reassembly.

My next step is to scrub the barrel, wrap a slightly undersize bore brush with a patch, wet the patch with a non-ammonia-based solvent, and scrub that barrel, from breech to muzzle, then remove brush from rod and remove the rod from barrel, put brush back on rod and then do that 15 or 20 passes. (Do not go back and forth in the barrel, only one direction from breech to muzzle).

Next, switch to a proper-fitting jag and clean the barrel with patches dampened with Hoppes #9 solvent, and push them through the bore, breech to muzzle, let the solvent sit in the bore for a few minutes and then switch to dry patches and clean again until they come out clean.

Once this procedure is completed, it is time to reassemble your rifle and add lubricant as suggested by your owners manual. During the break-in procedures I add a bit more lubrication to my rifles while things are initially working together as there is more friction going on until the rough edges get a bit smoother. Make certain to wipe the exterior of your rifle down very well before proceeded to the next step. Now its time to shoot your rifle:

The shooting portion of this break-in procedures is made up of a series of shooting and cleaning after a certain number of bullets have been fired. This helps minimize any buildup of gun powder residues to keep the barrel clean: First shoot 1 single shot, and clean the barrel using an Otis cable system until it is clean, then apply a thin layer of Kroil oil, It’s a penetrating oil that’s proven exceptionally good for seasoning the inside of rifle barrels. This helps prevent the fouling from sticking. Also begin to zero your rifle as you shoot these first 5 shots so you should be dead on target. Then shoot 4 more single shots and clean the barrel after every shot, and also apply Kroil oil as before. Once those first five shots have been fired and cleaned, then begin to shoot 3 groups of 5 bullets and clean after every 5-shot group. Also apply the Kroil oil as before. Once these last three 5-shot groups have been shot and cleaned, your break-in period is complete. Take your rifle home and clean it completely so you are ready for more shooting.

Bullet selection is up to you and your pocket book for use. If you choose to use jacketed bullets then break in with jacketed bullets. This break-in procedure takes 20 shots, once complete, you are ready for normal shooting.

But no matter how many bullets you shoot from here on out always, always, always clean your rifle after every shooting session. Then lube, all moving parts, wipe down your gun with rag that containing Break Free on it, or use the Otis wipes, this includes your stock and other parts, etc. Finally, run a patch through the bore with Break Free on it and put it away in storage.