New Winchester 1873 Barrel Break In

[skid]

I am the new owner of a Navy Arms Winchester 1873. I am in the process of breaking in the barrel. Have yet to fire a shot. I wish to break in this rifle with copper bullets and a nitro powder. It is chambered .357/38spl. I have both the Speer manual and Lyman reloading manual. Any suggestions on working up a load for this rifle? Thanks in advance. Skid.

[Coffinmaker]

Without sounding too "flip."  My first thought is you don't need to "Break-In" a new '73 Barrel.  Just go out and shoot it.  My second thought is a question .... Do you own a reloading manual??

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

I am the new owner of a Navy Arms Winchester 1873. I am in the process of breaking in the barrel. Have yet to fire a shot. I wish to break in this rifle with copper bullets and a nitro powder. It is chambered .357/38spl. I have both the Speer manual and Lyman reloading manual. Any suggestions on working up a load for this rifle? Thanks in advance. Skid.

How to break in a new production 73?  Shoot it.  You say want want to break it in with copper bullets and nitro powder.  Does that mean after it is broken in you are going to use lead and BP?  My new Winchester 73 in .44-40 has never had a smokeless round fired through it.

[Coal Creek Griff]

I agree.  Your barrel doesn't need anything special to break it in.  Follow the instructions in your manuals for working up loads and have fun!

CC Griff

[Blackfoot]

Swab it out clean and dry.  Shoot it like you stole it!

Blackfoot

[Mike]

Break in a 73 barrel, fill magazine with enough rounds to make you smile. I would use lead and BP but Titegroup or Trail Boss work for me when I get a bored. Both with lead.

Fill it up and have fun.

[Southpaw Gringo]

I did polish my bore on my rifles with JB bore paste and some elbow grease when it was new. I do that to most of my firearms but that's as far as I go.