[Stache]

I confess...I goofed up, I just hope not too badly.

I have a couple of rifles that are fairly new and I haven't yet completed the full break-in routine on them. The problem is that the other day I forgot that my Mini-14 SS Ranch was one of them. I had been using a 3 shot/clean schedule on it and only had about 6 shots through it. My buddy stopped by the other day to shoot a little and I grabbed my Mini and we put two 20 roound mags through it, using 62 gr. FMJ Russian ammo (not Wolf).

How much "damage" do you think I did at this point, and is should I restart the break-in schedule or have I gone to far already to make it worth the effort?

Thanks.

 

[cajungeo]

Stache I'd guess about 80% or better of the shooters just start shooten with no break in. You didn't damage anything. I'd just give your mini a good cleaning with a copper cleaner, and continue breakin. The purpose of the breakin is to lap the bore and smooth out, the machine marks for a little better accuracy, and to prolong fouling.
I went a bit further with my new SS ranch mini, I firelaped the bore, to smooth the bore even more, and remove a couple of tight spots. The average grouping improved 1/4". It works for me

 

[Rock]

Stache,to get all the copper out easy/fast use sweets 7.62 solvent and just start your breakin over again.Happy shooting

 

[Stache]

Since I don't reload for rifle, is there another way to fire-lap barrels? I've got a 700 BDL/SS in .270 that I bought from my neighbor recently and it's only got about 30 rounds through it. My test firing put 4 shots @ 5/8" with a flyer out to 1 1/8" (100 yds). If I can get 1/4" +/- improvement on that I'd be tickled.

 

[Z-Man]

Your Mini is fine.

Good shooting.

 

[cajungeo]

Stacy, that isn't bad for a hunting rifle with factory ammo. Before I looked into laping the barrel I'd look into free floating the barrel, and bedding the stock. It is hard to make a judgement call on one group, you need at least 10ea-5shot groups to find a pattern. The first couple shots out of a cool clean bore, may be your flyers. If each group has a flyer or two, I would bed the stock, after free floating the barrel. Then if you get an inch or less, I'd leave it alone. The Rem 700 has a much smoother bore than the mini.
Just my nickle.

 

[Stache]

cajungeo, I agree. That's a great grouping to have in a hunting rifle, especially since I expect it will come down as I break the barrel in, etc. I've never done any bedding, but it sounds like I need to study up on it. I never wanted to use any of my rifles as guinea pigs....

I didn't go into detail about some other rifles that I was also thinking about though. I haven't had a chance to really do any serious shooting for awhile, but I know that fire-lapping is one of the tricks of the trade. I was just wondering if I can even consider it if I don't reload.

Thanks.

 

[Z-Man]

The 700 BDL in .270 is one great rifle.

In fact, I own one myself and use it for 95% of my hunting in the US with the exception of moose, bear, and varmints. At last count, it had 42 deer, 7 elk, 4 wild boar, 2 dall sheep, and countless coyotes to its credit.

I think you will be pleased with the results a bedding job and free-floated barrel will give on a Rem 700. In fact, I trust that you will see immediate improvement in average group size. Mine, which has only minor modifications... a bedded action, free-floated barrel, and a lightened trigger...will drill out sub-MOA groups at 200M all day long with handloads, and it will do near that with off-the-shelf Hornaday Light Mags in the 140gr flavor.

Also... don't worry about the guinea pig syndrome on the 700. After all, there is a wealth of information on effective modifications for this rifle. I guarantee you...if you can think of it, it has probably already been done to a 700.

Besides...guinea pig syndrome affects us all. And it always passes when you lay out a sub-MOA group or two.