What imperfections will a series of shots and cleanings using copper jacketed bullets take out that the hand lapping of a super-match grade barrel won't? I just don't buy it. In fact, if I'm being sold a land lapped, super-match grade barrel it darned well better NOT need running in. JHMO, of course, and I'm just a hick who has never shot F-Class.~Muir
I'm not sure imperfections is the right description. However, it seems clear that there is often some micro-scopic abrasiveness which can be ironed out.
I have three rifles, all with Border Barrels (cut rifled) bbls on them. All handlapped and all shooting very well. BTW all we're cheaper to rebarrel than to replace with new rifles and I wouldn't sell any of them or swap them for what passes as a "state of the art" plastic gun now... but maybe that's just me. I like steel floorplates and integral mags and steel trigger guards. Sako certainly did those features very well on my old shooting sticks.
At first my .30-06 really grabbed the gilding metal, for about the first 50 rounds, but I followed the sort of procedure Tamus advocates. Now she doesn't foul noticeably at all even if I put 30 shots through her. and I clean out thoroughly with Butches Boreshine and the likes.
The 6.5 284 has been pretty much the same, but I still always clean this one after a max of 5 rounds, indeed after any firing at all. I dunno if the "barrel-burner" tag really applies or not but I'm taking no chances. So far so good.
Now, my .223 rem "F" class (foxer) didn't need anything like as many rounds, but since Geoff and the boys thought that barrel was good enough to warrant the full logo engraving treatment, maybe that says something? but I'm still very careful about cleaning after use, preferably asap.
The point I'm trying to make is, there has been a clear benefit to me in following a strict shooting in procedure. They all clean easy now and
can group into raggedy holes. Hell the .223 can shoot raggedy holes at 200m, when really competently handled. Which aint all the time.
Shoot her in carefully Farmer, is what I think. Although, you don't need to just "blow" the rounds through. You can zero and test loads and even go stalking but do follow a good shoot in process. I think you'll find it pays off.