Bountyhunter

I was reading that I should polish the barrel of the H&R before shooting. I have some Flitz, which I saw was recommended. Should I just pour some on a cotton barrel swab and go for it, just like cleaning the thing? I've never taken the time to break in or prep a barrel, but what the hell, right?

gunman42782

There was an article in a gun mag (I can't remember which one right now) about this very subject I read a month or so ago. The author pretty much said it really did not matter. That being said, I have broke in a barrel or two. The purpose is to smooth out any burrs or defects left over from the factory. I always shot a round or two, then cleaned the barrel until it was down to bare metal again. Do that for about 10 rounds. Then shoot about 5 rounds, clean to bare metal, about 10 to 20 more times, then shoot it all you want. Supposed to make cleaning it easier in the future as well. You can also buy the David Tubb final finish system. This involves varying degrees of grit that you enbed on your bullets, and the above mentioned cleaning between shots. I think the main thing is just to clean the barrel real good before you shoot it the first time. I have both tried to break in barrels, and I have took a new gun, cleaned it good before the first firing and then after I shot it, and I never really have been able to tell much difference. Bottom line, if it is a good barrel to begin with, I don't think it matters. If it is rough as a cobb, then you might need to try something like the Tubb final finish system to smooth out the rough spots.

Bountyhunter

Well I guess I won't be too anal about it then.

Machinist

This sounds like quick and dirty version of lapping a barrel. This involves pouring a soft metal lap around a brush in the bore and using it with lapping compound to lap the bore. More laps are poured as they become loose. Lapping not only removes rough spots and burrs but eases tight spots in the barrel. When you start out lapping a barrel you will feel it drag at spots. When a lap goes through with smooth even tension you know the barrel is consistent in size throughout.

Using a patch and abrasive you can smooth rough spots and polish the surfaces but I would not expect it to do much for size. As I think Gunman said, it would do the most good where there is a problem. I would defer to the experienced target shooters as to how much good it would do under normal circumstances.

Machinist

It gives a whole new meaning to the term, "rifle butt".

sheepdog

nerk, nerk,nerk....

Bountyhunter

Don't screw up my rifle butt thread, Sheepdog.

gunman42782

Yeah, that is what that it is called, fire lapping, the David Tubb system. I went blank there for a second. Not unusual for me.

Machinist

If I am going to use abrasives in a barrel I want to do it by hand so I have tactile feedback and full control.

tx gun runner

Everyone in the target business has there own way of break in a barrel . You need a good copper remover like SWEETS . I fire 3 round and clean and I do that for about the 1st one hundret rounds in my guns that I shoot jacket bullets in . Copper fouling hurts the barrel break in . So you either smooth up the barrel before shooting it or clean often . Fire lapping is quick and hand lapping like MAC said is the best in my book . But taking a new gun out and blast a ton of rounds threw don't help the accuracy .

Bountyhunter

Thanks ,guys. I'll use the Flitz.

Snuffy

Time and talent pal.

tx gun runner

You know if you go on a barrel makes web sight they will tell you how to break a barrel in . The worst thing is if you go to 5 webs you will get 5 different ways to break a barrel in . Clean often and keep it copper free . BH I think it will take over 5,000 stroke with Flitz to smooth a barrel there is very little abrasive . You mite try this , bench rest shooters hand lap barrel with this stuff .. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1161 ... ORE_BRIGHT or http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1160 ... G_COMPOUND

Bountyhunter

I ran some flitz thru it, it was full of oil and what not, and decided that I'll just shoot it, like I have with all my other guns. If I keep the barrel fairly clean, I should be fine.