Barrel Break-In Procedure and Maintenance

When you get a new rifle, it is equally important to properly season the barrel during the first 25 rounds fired. For reference, we recommend acquiring two different ammo types (manufacturer, grain weight, bullet design) to test what your barrel prefers. You will shoot 3 rounds of one ammo, cleaning the barrel using the routine cleaning procedures, shoot three rounds of the second ammo choice, and then perform another routine cleaning procedure. You will continue this process for the first 10-20 rounds. This may seem lengthy, but it is not as daunting as wondering if you gave your rifle a good chance to harvest your next tag.

This will identify what ammo groups begin to tighten, and which ones continue to not group well. During this stage, you do not need to worry about sighting your scope in. Introducing variables into the point of impact when breaking the barrel in, will affect your judgement on which ammo could be most accurate.

Within a barrel’s lifespan are multiple seasonings. When you first get a rifle, that barrel has most likely only been proof fired. It may have some carbon fouling or copper fouling in the bore, but you will need to season the barrel to give it the best chance to be accurate. All barrels and cartridges paired are going to have a slightly different seasoning lifespan. The seasoning lifespan is how long that original copper fouling will continue to give you the most accurate shots. Once you begin to see your groups open back up, and only after you have addressed the Accuracy Checklist Procedures on our website, should you worry about performing a copper removal procedure to reseason the barrel. Below are the procedures on how to perform a copper removal procedure.

-Sean Storms WBY Customer Service Representative II

Barrel Break-In and Seasoning

Properly seasoning your barrel during the first 25 rounds fired is equally important as any cleaning procedure. For best results, acquire two different types of ammunition varying by manufacturer, grain weight, or bullet design to identify which load your barrel prefers.

The break-in process works as follows:

• Fire 3 rounds of the first ammunition type, then perform a full routine cleaning.
• Fire 3 rounds of the second ammunition type, then perform another routine cleaning.
• Continue alternating in this pattern for the first 10–20 rounds.

While this process may seem time-consuming, it is far preferable to wondering later whether your rifle was given the best possible start. Pay attention to which ammunition begins producing tighter groups — that is the load your barrel prefers.

Note: Do not attempt to zero your scope during the break-in process. Introducing additional variables during this stage will compromise your ability to evaluate ammunition performance accurately.

Seasoning Lifespan and Copper Removal

Within a barrel’s lifespan, there are multiple seasoning cycles. When you first acquire a rifle, the barrel has most likely only been proof-fired. While it may have some carbon or copper fouling in the bore, you will still need to season it to give it the best chance at consistent accuracy.

Every barrel and cartridge combination will have a slightly different seasoning lifespan — the period during which the original copper fouling continues to produce the most accurate shots. Once groups begin to open up, and only after consulting the Accuracy Checklist on the Weatherby website, should you consider performing a copper removal procedure to re-season the barrel.

Copper Removal Procedure

1.  Place the rifle on a tripod above a trash can, remove any muzzle devices that are not timed, and remove the bolt from the receiver.

2.  Run a jag and cotton patch coated with a copper remover such as Barnes CR-10 through the bore.

3.  Attach a brush to the rod and run it back and forth through the bore for approximately 5–10 passes.

4.  Continue running patches with a small amount of Barnes CR-10 through the bore to collect the loosened copper fouling. You will notice a blue discoloration on the patches as the copper is removed.

5.  Run a patch with denatured alcohol through the bore to remove any remaining liquid. Repeat this step a few times, then finish with a dry patch to confirm the bore is completely dry.

Following these procedures consistently will ensure your Weatherby rifle performs at its best for seasons to come. If you have questions about any step in this process, consult your local firearms professional or reach out to the Weatherby team directly.