The first 20 rounds out of new rifle are the most important ones. You want to ensure that you do not overheat the barrel and that you allow plenty of time between shots. So here is the process I use on my new 338 Win Mag for my upcoming Africa hunt.

1. Before you go to the range I clean the bore usually this does not take very long. I use simple bore solvent like Hoppes. I run a wet patch down the bore. I should mention that I remove the bolt and install a bore guide for the 338 caliber and clean from the breech end always avoid cleaning from the muzzle. Cleaning from the muzzle can distort the barrel crown and it pushes dirt into the magazine area.. I use a cleaning jag and never use a brush of any kind.

2. At the range I will have my cleaning equipment with me and a steady rest to clean the gun from. I will set up a target at 100 yds and fire one round. After I fire the round I will run two wet patches through the gun followed by several dry one till the last patch comes out fairly clean and dry.

3. I will repeat this process for all twenty times allowing enough time between shots for the barrel to cool. During the break in of this rifle I found that the barrel would heat up faster than I thought due to the barrel contour and the fact that it is a big magnum caliber. So it would take cleaning time plus a few minutes between each shot.

As you fire you should see the rounds start to group together. After the first five or so on the Browning I started to dial the scope adjustment to see if I could get the point of impact to change and how much it would change. So at the end of the twenty rounds I was high and center on the target. Now it is time to go home and spend some time cleaning the rifle thoroughly.

The next twenty rounds I fire I would use either a two or three shot sequence and always making sure I did not overhead the barrel. I would clean the gun between each shot string.

I also added a LimbSaver Sharpshooter X-ring to the rifle barrel. This dampens barrel whip and tightened up my groups quite a bit.

Typical cleaning supplies:

1. One piece cleaning rod

2. Cleaning jag for the caliber of the rifle

3. Bore solvent of choice Note for deep cleaning a copper solvent can be used.

4. The right size patch

5. A bore guide. The bore guide fits in the receiver where the bolt travels and provides a path for the cleaning rod to travel down.