Read Brian Peirce's article about breaking in a rifle in last months Rifle Mag. He's the first one I have know that has took a methodical look at braking in a barrel. Everyone else opinion is just that. I do it for one reason alone. I find a barrel to produce large velocity spreads while new. I want to hurry this along, and get right to load development without a 100 rounds. I find upwards of 100fps velocity spreads with a 308 with a new factory barrel. After 10 breakin rounds, that number drops to 25fps. Alot of guys I see that don't break in, have to shoot 3 fouling rounds to get that spead. I do not. I only have to shoot 1 fouler.

Don't take alot of peoples advise. Go out and find out for yourself. Get a Chrony, or/and a hawkeye borescope. Look thru the barrel before 10 rounds and after (cleaning every shot). Then try another rifle when you have the opportunity without the breakin. Bet it will take 100 rounds to get some of the roughness out of the barrel. I even go a step further and use JB's abrasive cleaner to hurry along the smoothing process.