I bought a new rifle recently and they call for a 40-50 break in procedure. Shoot 3-6 rounds clean, rinse repeat. I haven't done this before because the only deer rifle I've hunted with my entire life my dad got me when I was in 7th grade.

I've been doing some research and there are two main school; follow procedure OR do nothing at all.

What are yalls thoughts? I'm thinking I'll meet the count/cleaning in the middle but wanted to see what everyone else is doing.

TIA

Agree with this typically, but I would first suggest following the barrel manufacturer's recommendations if they give them. Shooting a new rifle to break in a barrel can be done to fireform cases and/or test various loads or brands. So it can accomplish several objectives.

It's a Christensen arms rifle, so no clue if it's lapped or not. From what research I've done, doesn't really sound like it is though?

I bought a new 6.5 Creedmoor a couple months ago. The first time at the range I shot 29 rounds and cleaned it 3 times I think. Not sure if it was necessary or not though. The rifle was pretty accurate from the first group.

My new Bergara came with pretty specific break in instructions. I'd have to look again to see the exact routine but it was something like

Fire 1 round
Clean barrel
Fire 2nd round
Clean barrel
Fire 3rd round
Clean barrel

I don't remember what I said after that

I would probably follow the manufacturer's break in procedure as recommended.

What caliber rifle is it? If you're shooting a pretty hot cartridge and plan on shooting a decent amount, I wouldn't want to put 40-50 rounds through my barrel for "break in" if the barrel life is only 1000 rounds.

This is an important point. My 6.5 Creedmoor is supposed to have a barrel life close to 4,000 rounds. A 6.5-300 Weatherby might be lucky to get 1,000 rounds.

Exactly. I have a 6.5-300wby and a creedmoor. I probably have 500 rounds through the creedmoor but only 20 through the wby and am not shooting that gun for fun at the range because of the barrel life.

308, but a carbon wrapped barrel. Not a hot hot round but I thought the carbon ones don't hold up as well over time?

ETA: here is what and how they suggest to do it.

https://christensenarms.com/barrel-break-in/

I've had a couple of custom rifles built by a local gunsmith who used to be into competitive bench rest shooting. I asked him about barrel break-in and he said by the time I found a good load for it that it would be broken in. So far as cleaning the barrel after every many rounds, he said to clean it after the first 20 rounds, then just shoot it like I normally would.

They have been building guns for a number of years. I would think as long as they have been around they know what they are doing.

I would agree here, and though many poo poo both the company and the process, I still think it's one to follow.

Having said that, if I'm paying that much for this rifle, shouldn't they have done the lapping beforehand? Again, still new to the bolt world, but you'd think they'd do the majority of the manufacturing work for you there. Just seems like one less step for them to spend money. Or is this typical now and I'm out of touch?

Rifle in question: 16.5" 308

https://christensenarms.com/product/modern-precision-rifle/

Modern barrel lapping techniques can lessen the old barrel break in procedures of old but doesn't necessarily mean the barrel doesn't need to still have a break in.
I think if you give Christensen Arms a call you will find that they do in fact lap their barrels. I know they have in the past.
ETA: In that conversation perhaps ask them to give you an explanation for their break in procedure.
For that kind of money they should be more than happy to answer your questions.

Several barrel and gun manufacturers have said unofficially that the only reason they have posted barrel break in procedures is because people want a procedure to follow. It's a nice placebo effect and is easier than having the question asked a million times and having to explain why the answer is that it's not needed. I feel like also they don't want to tell someone it's not needed, then have that person argue because they know better.

I'm sorry about the feelings this is going to hurt, but Christensen Arms is most certainly not a well respected brand once you get beyond the Cabelas gun counter fudds or the all hat and no cattle 3 rounds a year hunters. They are pretty guns. When you get one that is right they seem to be great guns. But the chance of getting a dud is way higher than it has any right to be. OP, put it through its paces and hold them to fixing anything that isn't right.

I just shoot them. My break in is not for the barrel metal, but more to get enough rounds for my reloading process.

Many years back, at an event with a live auction, I bid on and won a certificate for a custom Christensen rifle. It was for a high end rifle they then called a Carbon One Custom. Wife and I wanted to give it to my FIL, so I ordered it in .308 Win. Back then it came with a Shilen/Christensen 416 barrel. I believe they were still building them in the old facility at the time before they moved to Gunnison.
My total experience with ordering the rifle and the way they handled all the communications and the care they took to make sure I was happy was beyond reproach imho. It was truly a great buying experience. My FIL, who was an accomplished gunsmith, shot the gun for many years till he passed.
I have no experience of late with the company, but I can speak for how well they did take care of me back then, and the quality of the rifle they produced.

A modern rifle from a solid brand like Christensen Arms should last a long time. The .308 is known for a long barrel life too. I wouldn't be too concerned as long as you take care of it.