If you do your research, you'll find plenty of shooters who swear by a strict procedure for breaking in a barrel. I have done it both ways (strict procedure, and no procedure at all). When I recently took my new 22-250 to the range for it's first shoot, I decided to try a procedure I read about. What the heck I thought. I can't exactly remember the sequence, but it went something like shoot 2-3 rounds, and clean extensively with Butch's Bore shine. It would take 5-6 dry patches before they came out clean. I did this through a box or so of ammo and sure enough, but the time I was on the last few volleys, the patches were clean with one swipe. The articles I read point to the initial break in as the most important. I won't follow that regiment any further with the 22-250, but I will clean once or twice during a normal day at the range, and especially when I get home. My cleaning sessions would take 3-4 minutes, which provided some cooling time as well. Of course, when you take the time to do a procedure like that, plenty of guys will come over and ask what you're doing, etc, which offers some additional cooling time between shots.
I don't have any idea what it all means, but I did see the results for myself. It does make me wonder though about the old faithful rifles in the family safe that were never cleaned (or rarely at best), and continue to put meat in the pot.
