Alot of good points besides the crazy myth post. I bet more barrels including mine dies from the cleaning process more than actually burning it out. Its very difficult even with bore scope, and coated rod, to not make any contact with a barrel. And the more copper fouling, the harder to clean, the more handling. I know I have ruined a crown or two. I have ruined barrels when I was a kid with that stupid hoppes kit and three piece rods. But I keep trying and trying to improve. I have used wipe out for the past 2 years trying to cut down on cleaning. Its a start. I have had a few guns built with super smooth Krieger barrels, which has really cut down on the cleaning.