There is not one shred of scientific evidence that barrel-break-in accomplishes anything except wasting ammo and barrel life. What you are seeing on the internet are a number of educated (and diametrically different) opinions. Opinions that are based on subjective observations. Unfortunately, these observations have not been made in a controlled multi-center and randomized fashion. Furthermore, nobody has a consensus as to HOW a barrel is supposedly broken-in. If it makes YOU feel better, fly at it! but it likely isn't doing anything for your barrel.
But these are a couple of facts: Every time a jag or a brush crosses the barrel crown, you run the risk of damaging it and that WILL affect accuracy - negatively. Over-cleaning a barrel WILL run the risk of damaging the barrel. What good is a barrel that cleans easily, but groups poorly? Personally, I limit cleaning to an as-needed basis.
But these are a couple of facts: Every time a jag or a brush crosses the barrel crown, you run the risk of damaging it and that WILL affect accuracy - negatively. Over-cleaning a barrel WILL run the risk of damaging the barrel. What good is a barrel that cleans easily, but groups poorly? Personally, I limit cleaning to an as-needed basis.
