I bought a new rifle yesterday and I'm curious as to how everyone breaks their new barrels in. I've always shot 5 rounds, swabbed with Hoppes, dry patch, and allowed to cool. Repeat roughly 25 to 30 times. The rifle is a 700 SPS Varmint bull barrel in 22-250. Any input is appreciated.
That would work. Nosler has a way on their sight that is more work. I have never done that, I just shoot them and clean them, but I don't put a lot down range at a time. I think the biggest issue is to keep it cool, and use a bore guide when cleaning. Also, clean from the bore to muzzle. I have been using Sweet 7.62 and it really gets the copper and powder out.
A factory barrel is going to take a little more time to break in. The method you posted will work just fine. On factory tubes I'll more often then not shoot 3 to 5 rounds - clean - then shoot it as much as I want - clean. I'll do this for a couple trips to the range. The Sweet mentioned by Wisconsinteacher is good stuff, but be carefull not to let it sit to long. Hoppes # 9 can stay in for awhile. Before I leave the range I swab down the rifle with the #9 and leave it in till I get home.
I do it the way they outline in this link http://www.rifle-accuracy-reports.com/barrel-break-in.html (http://www.rifle-accuracy-reports.com/barrel-break-in.html)
I've tried to follow some of the more popular routines out there of shooting x number of rounds then cleaning, repeat, repeat, repeat.
Never could tell that it made a difference.
Now, I normally just shoot with some generally decent loads to form brass and see what kind of potential it has. By the time I get all that done I've usually got over 100 rounds through the barrel. I'll give it a good scrubbing then, removing all the copper, then call it quits and won't clean again until I start losing accuracy.