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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Ok...I did it!

I ordered a Super Match today, stainless and walnut.

What I am looking for is thoughts on proper break in.
What say you?


Casper
 

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Just shoot 'er. Don't go too nuts trying take it all apart very often as it risks messing with the bedding. Other than that, have fun, and possibly look into shooting it in a match or two.
 

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So I do 10 rounds like this,
Clean rifle,
"Using CLP"
Fire one round.
One wet patch from the bolt out. Then 2 dry from the bolt out.
Fire one round.
One wet patch from the bolt out. Then 2 dry from the bolt out.

Continue this for 10 rounds.

I do it for non hand lapped barrels usually. Your national match should be hand lapped so this may not be needed.

The reason why, machining marks and cuts inside the barrel may leave small bers that can produce large amounts of copper fouling. So for the first 10 shots I try to get any big chunks of copper out of there before I send another one down the tube and push it into the barrel walls.
"I believe" doing this will take some of the burs out ether burning them or scraping them out.

Just my opinion and besides there is no way it can hurt.......... Gives me a nice feeling as well. Expecialy when you shoot a 1 Moa group with your first 10 shots right off the bat!!!!
Ps still waiting for that ten round 1 Moa group but I imagine it's going to feel great!
 

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I get the point of the video that excessive break in steps are practiced by some and swear that it improves the performance of the rifle/barrel, and as mentioned if there are tooling marks, burrs, etc. in the bore a 'scrubbing" with JB compound may well help in that area. High quality barrels are usually burnished/polished to take care of that issue and would require little if any so called break in operation. Hesitant to suggest Sweets 7.62 for many do not follow instructions and over do it, but it will reveal any copper by showing up very dark blue on patch. If the barrel does leave copper wash in the bore you will know it by sheer visual inspection in strong light down the muzzle(rifle in SAFE mode of course) and it can be cleaned out. As for throwing a rifle down on the ground with scope can't imagine what my Dad would have done to me if I even dropped a rifle, he could be harsh at times(I of course needed that at times.) When rifles of yesteryear had less quality made barrels compared to today a break in was considered as necessary, but your rifle was not a low cost one and should be good to go out of the box in my opinion.
Also as mentioned, there is no good reason to routinely take the rifle down, inspect all the parts, put it back together, two weeks later repeat, etc., etc. It only defeats the quality of performance, load it, shoot it, apply small amounts of grease where needed, clean the bore and enjoy it. Many bores are damaged by over cleaning and unless you are in the tropics with high humidity, salt air, etc. the rifle will take care of itself with minimal attention, they are not a high maintenance item in normal conditions. Just a suggestion.
 

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Your SM probably has a Douglas barrel. I went to the Douglas website for mine and did their break-in. It's simple and straight forward. If you're going to shoot it, just clean between every five rounds for the first 20-25. I think that's what Douglas says.

Congrats on the rifle by the way! You're going to love it. Mine is in my top five firearms...
 
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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Thank you to all who took time to reply.
I got a call this afternoon from my favorite gun store telling me it had arrived.
Yes, I closed early and made a beeline to get it.

It had been removed from the shipping box, but was still in its protective wrapper. They wouldn't handle it until I had!

Needless to say,I can't wait for Monday morning(my day off)!


Casper
 
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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
Just shoot 'er. Don't go too nuts trying take it all apart very often as it risks messing with the bedding. Other than that, have fun, and possibly look into shooting it in a match or two.
I intend to shoot it in a match or two...
Took a CMP Highpower clinic a couple months ago. I had NO idea what to expect, and was totally unprepared. Being left handed, the Club loaner gear(coats,gloves and so forth) was basically of no help. That being said, I WAS HOOKED!

You can guess how this story plays out....

Casper
 

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I intend to shoot it in a match or two...
Took a CMP Highpower clinic a couple months ago. I had NO idea what to expect, and was totally unprepared. Being left handed, the Club loaner gear(coats,gloves and so forth) was basically of no help. That being said, I WAS HOOKED!

You can guess how this story plays out....

Casper
Yep, I sure can guess since the same thing happened to me in 2013. Bought the SAI National Match rifle, played with it for a few months, wondered what else I could do besides shooting it from a bench, enrolled in an Appleseed, then joined my club and started shooting. Now I can't get enough. Welcome to the addiction.
 
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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
Yep, I sure can guess since the same thing happened to me in 2013. Bought the SAI National Match rifle, played with it for a few months, wondered what else I could do besides shooting it from a bench, enrolled in an Appleseed, then joined my club and started shooting. Now I can get enough. Welcome to the addiction.

Thanks!
I have other M1As, but wanted one that shoots better than I do(OK...they ALL will), so i will be FORCED to practice and improve. ALL shortcomings will be shooter induced, with no excuses available.

Casper
 
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