I completed my first new barrel install last week and took it out to the range yesterday.
Savage 12FV
(NSS) Shilen Match Select / .223 Rem / 26” Varmint Contour / 1:9 Twist
NSS Recoil Lug and Nut
NSS Action Wrench and Nut Wrench
(NSS) Manson Headspace Gauges
Bell & Carlson Medalist
Vortex Golden Eagle HD 15-60x52
Warne 0 MOA Rail / Fixed Medium Rings
I did an abbreviated break-in by brushing/patching/oiling the barrel after each of the first five shots and then using Sweat’s 7.62 on a patch after five shots. There was some blue contaminant present but the patches came clean after five of them. I then brushed/patched/oiled the bore after 10 rounds and 15 rounds. It was 34 degrees and breezy so I called it quits on the break-in.
I shot five groups (25 rounds) of Hornady 55gr V-Max factory loads before the cold and setting sun sent me packing. My bench shooting skills are not that good and I suffered from the usual flyers. But overall, I was pleased with the barrel as I was able to put multiple rounds into the same hole on several groups before pulling a few.
I was amazed at how easy it was to clean the barrel afterwards, ending up with just faint gray on the patches in a relatively short time. I followed up with another Sweat’s 7.62 treatment and was pleased to see zero evidence of copper on the patches. A far different experience than cleaning my factory barrels.
Many thanks to James at NSS for steering me in the right direction and providing excellent customer service.
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