Re: DPMS LR308 - Initial Sight In & Break In ?
I followed the instructions listed in the manual for my LR-308 down to the letter, in an attempt to either prove or disprove the whole barrel break-in philosophy to my own satisfaction.
My first 5-shot group was with 168 Gr. FGMM and was to be my benchmark on how well the rifle was before break-in. The rest of the break-in was done using Remington UMC budget fodder. At certain points (IIRC it was after 50 rounds fired, then 100, 150, 200, and finally 250) I shot five FGMM in anxious anticipation of seeing the group sizes shrink right before my eyes... I didn't see it.
According to the manual, a 250 round count (or about) is when the barrel should be broken in and shooting its best. At the end of the day, the UMC was somewhat erratic with an average group size of about 2-1/2". The FGMM could be counted on for 1" groups and it didn't seem matter at what point in the break-in process I shot them. I’ll see if I can find my data sheet from that exercise.
So I can't say that I buy into the break-in philosophy based on this experience, and I understand it is a rather limited test to draw any "absolute conclusions" from. But if there was an improvement, then it must have been minimal and consumed within the "noise" of my test and technique (and admittedly that could be true on both fronts). Still, I probably won't waste ammo doing the process again.
I'm with Pat M.