My conspiracy theory is that the barrel makers who dont have the bestest reputation and seem to lack consistency, tend to use running in as an excuse.

For instance, you buy a barrel, get it fitted, then shoot it, and it shoots larger than MOA groups. So you complain to the maker saying "rarara paid $600 for this chunk of crap rararara" and theyre response is "well did you run it in", if yes "how did you run it in", and inevitably the response to your method will be "well theres your problem, not my fault, bye".

The larger operations to do with firarms, would be investing money into research since to most people a lot of stuff to do with barrel making is a black art, however if they invest their money into research they aren't going to just give their secrets away.

I believe what Mr Lilja said, ive heard much of it before (ie that the finish has to be somewhere in between, not too polished and not too rough)