I'm a fulltime gunmaker & do both stock & metal work. I always test fire a new rifle I've built or one that has had major surgery (bedding, new barrel, etc.) Before I deliver a rifle I have to be sure things are right. The only way to do so--without assuming--is to fire the rifle. This allows me to deliver a rifle with confidence & shows the client what to expect. Failure to test fire a rifle before delivery invites problems. Testing a rifle is very cheap insurance, as well as, a good business practice.
Test fire, yes. Mount a scope, sit down, sight the rifle in and fire a sample group, no. I may or may not choose a good load and if not, the customer thinks his new rifle is a POS. It takes me a full day (or more) to find the best load for my bench guns and no customer is willing to pay me for that service on his rifle.
