Barrel Cleaning Instructions (recommended)

[MCA]

If I'm going to buy a Tipton rod and Lucas bore guide which rod size should I get? Can I buy a .22 to .26 and use it in both 5.56 and 6.8 bores or do I need the .27 to .45 for the 6.8?

Also what is the best length rod to get with 16" barrels?

[WiscTJK]

I am a novice, but I asked Mike Lucas - Lucas Bore Guides and he said the .22 to .26 should be fine for 6.8. The length of rod I ordered was 36" which should be Ok, because the bore guide is about 8" long or so.

With respect to the bore guide, you can buy one for 5.56 and one for 6.8, and only buy one insert for the rod that will work in both bore guides. That will save you a bit.

Again, you will want to get some expert opinion, like I was trying to do. I sent the rod back. I shouldn't have to deal with a rod that was curved from the start.

[Tim_W]

That is true. I always try to buy my rods in-person which is not always possible. When I do I always roll them on a flat surface to check if they are out of round

[CodeRed30]

This was re-posted on a local gun site and the product recommendations are SUPER helpful. Just wanted to say thanks for your research!

[EWP]

[QUOTE=Hammered[/QUOTE]

Reported as spam

[marinesg1012]

Reported as spam

You beat me... that is what happens when I go have lunch

[Daniel]

Let me get this right. To break-in a new barrel, one must follow the break-in regimine which often involves shooting one shot, cleaning and repeatinig this process for 5 to 10 shots, then shoot maybe 3 shots for 5 times and cleaning between each 3 shot session. So lets add up the time to break-in a barrel.

Shoot one shot (3 seconds, 4 if you slow down for a six pack of beer)
Clean - About 12 minutes

Repeat 5 times equals one hour of cleaning. If 10 shots, then two hours of cleaning.

Shoot string of three shots (15 seconds because you're slow)
Clean - About 12 minutes

Repeat 5 times equals another hour of cleaning.

So, at minimum you'll need two to three hours of cleaning time to break-in the barrel. Now all this assumes one can have such an environment and equipemnt and table and space that facilitates cleaning at the range. If not, then you'd have to take the gun home between shots and clean it there. Wow! Has anyone else ever considered the implications of these procedures in the real world?

Daniel

[sfsmedic]

Considering most do this procedure lovingly of their new high end barrel. I'm sure they've thought about that little labor of love and done it. I've done it in the past and it wasn't a huge issue. Nice stress free day at the range away from the kids weeeee.


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[marinesg1012]

Wow! Has anyone else ever considered the implications of these procedures in the real world?

Daniel

Yup I do it to mine all the time, our DDM's do it to the issued guns when they first get them....

it may take a little bit but if it helps smooth things out then its worth it...

[Daniel]

Considering most do this procedure lovingly of their new high end barrel. I'm sure they've thought about that little labor of love and done it. I've done it in the past and it wasn't a huge issue. Nice stress free day at the range away from the kids weeeee.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've never followed the "break-in" procedures with such attention. I still have sub 1/2 inch groups in both 6.8 rifles. From a theoretical perspective, these "break-in" procedures seem to be predicated upon and relegated to a concatenated structure of theory (a collection of observations with lots of antidotal evidence in support and in refutation and no means of empirical testing). No one can prove it works because each event (barrel cleaning and all other intervening and spurious variables that can be conjured up) is a singularity and can't be "done over" again to test the idea that the "break-in" is producing the results. A diachronic comparison couldn't be performed for the same reason.

Daniel