I hear this question alot . I just load my rifle and shoot it's in the bull. I think barrel breaking in is fake.
I know what you mean, but its def not "fake". Look at it this way. A manufacturer manufactures countless barrels at a time. Tools dull the first barrels with a new tool will have a much smoother, more consistant cut. IE will not need as much "break-in". One that's cut near the end of that broaches life will be rough if not choppy. That barrel will need extra finesse to get it into top shape. We as a consumer would hope for consistant results, but this is the real world and we are talking about $250 dollar guns here, not $10,000 Dakota rifles.
I have three custom CF bolt guns. All wear Shillen match barrels, all shot sub MOA with the first shots thru the tube. I have probably owned 10-12 brandy new CF rifles. NONE have been that good out of the box. One Remington ADL 30-06 was really really good, but not up to the customs. I would not really expect that hey are. Each of those barrels cost more than that Rem ADL did new. My point is, I paid top dollar to get a choice barrel, that not the case with the handis. (AND most commercially available firearms today.) That's part of what I mean when I say each firearm is its own identity and no two are alike.
Steve P. said it best... How many licks DOES it take... The world may NEVER know.....
(Mostly cause its NEVER the same!!
)
CW
