It's recommended by Savage to perform a barrel break in procedure (looks very tedious) and was wondering if anyone here has had any experience - is it really necessary?

 

I see a ton of conflicting attitudes toward breaking in a new barrel.  Granted, it's not some high dollar precision gun, but if it makes a big difference I'd rather do this right the first time around.

 

The rifle is just a basic savage axis II XP

 

Any thoughts? Experience with the procedure?

I have not done this to my Axis. I bought it used in what could pass for unfired condition, but I must assume the previous owner did not do it either.

 

It sounds like a lot of hokum to me, but a google search reveals that this is yet another hotly debated topic in gun circles, right next to heavyslow vs lightfast, semi vs revolver, mag vs clip, gunoil vs motoroil, rimmed vs rimless, belted vs unbelted, concealed vs open, and so on... So mileage may vary.

 

My opinion is just shoot it; if break-in is a thing, it will happen on it's own.

Very true.  Hows the accuracy on your axis?  I'm also wondering if the break-in is better served for certain calibers over others

I don't get to an outdoor range often enough, so my skill with rifles is not yet at the point where I could make a good call on how accurate it is at any significant distance.