since 1995
Christensen Arms — Barrel Care
Barrel Break-In.
Proper barrel break-in is one of the most important steps to extracting maximum accuracy from your Christensen Arms rifle. Follow this guide exactly and your barrel will reward you for years to come.
Why It Matters
Why Break-In Matters.
Proper barrel break-in will smooth the bore of your barrel to create better consistency and accuracy. While today's high-quality barrel makers lap their barrels to remove minor tooling marks, the post-lapping machining during the chambering process adds additional tooling marks.
Live fire barrel break-in minimizes these potential problems and is much more effective than mechanical lapping after chambering. The following procedure has been developed over 15 years and has given excellent results.
Before You Begin
Gather Your Supplies.
Having everything ready before you start ensures a smooth break-in process. Quality supplies make a real difference — don't cut corners here.
What You'll Need
Necessary Supplies.
Ammonia based copper solvent
Nylon bore brushes — one the correct size for your caliber, one 1 or 2 sizes smaller
High quality cleaning rod with ball-bearing handle
1 3/8" cotton cleaning patches
To lubricate and neutralize ammonia solvent
50 rounds of ammunition
To protect the bore throat and keep solvent from entering the trigger mechanism
To monitor group consistency and track accuracy improvement throughout the break-in process
The Procedure
Ready to Begin.
Follow these five steps carefully and repeat the cycle until you've fired 50 rounds. Your barrel will thank you with tighter groups and easier cleaning for years to come.
Step by Step
Break-In Procedure.
First make sure that the barrel is clean and free of any oil or solvents from the manufacturing process. Once clear, fire 2 three-shot groups.
With the bore guide inserted, run a solvent-soaked patch through the barrel breach to muzzle. Repeat 3 times or until no black shows on the patch. Then scrub the barrel back and forth using the caliber-correct nylon brush soaked with solvent — 20 times for a total of 40 passes through the barrel. Follow with a dry patch until clean.
Using the undersized brush, run a solvent-soaked patch through the barrel for 20 passes. You will notice a blue tint from dissolving copper residue. Repeat until no blue/copper residue is found. Follow with dry patches until clean.
Fire another 2 three-round groups for a total of 6 rounds fired at this point in the procedure.
Repeat steps 1–4 until you have fired a total of 50 rounds. 50 rounds is usually sufficient to smooth out the surface of the barrel lining. As your barrel breaks in, you will notice it will clean faster and without using as many cleaning patches or solvent.
Quick Reference
The Repeat Cycle.
6 rounds total per cycle
40 passes with solvent
Undersized brush until clean
Until 50 rounds complete
Christensen Arms
Built for Precision.
Your barrel is precision engineered. Treat it that way. Download the full PDF guide or explore our complete rifle lineup.
