Just finished up a nice AR build and decided to read some references on barrel break-in procedures. I've decided the whole thing is a bunch of bunk and will just shoot about ten rounds through fairly quickly to deposit some copper, allow the barrel to cool, and then away we go, cleaning when accuracy begins to be impacted. The biggest thing I found was that most of the guys who knew what they were talking about said that the cleaning procedure with the elaborate break in regiments did more damage with the cleaning rod than any benefit received from the procedure.

My thoughts were: How can an aluminum or brass cleaning rod possibly damage a bore or any of the rifling. If the chamber or bore is that soft, you got bigger problems to worry about. My barrel is cold hammer forged and shot peen relieved, with a nitride finish. I don't think there is anything I'm going to be able to put down that barrel to wear it out other than 30,000+ rounds.