Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
IMO, where a barrel points in it's static condition means nothing. It's where it points under pressure/vibration that matters.
I think a good read on the subject of threading and barrel pointing static -vs- dynamic was covered in 'Rifle Accuracy Facts'.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1931220077/?tag=accuratescom-20
Here vaughn's testing results imply that barrel connection integrity matters more than commonly believed & employed.
I'd have to dig it out, but I'd be surprised if barrel nut connection wasn't brought into it.
I agree with you and Vaughn's book is great. Dated, but good food for thought. If a barrel joint is moving we have problems. It should not move, even during firing. All those tiny aggs shot at every Benchrest match are shot with shouldered barrels. Movement in a joint is very easy to spot. You will see "fretting" on the mating surfaces. Very common on main caps on drag engines. I worry much more about a nutted barrel moving. Theres nothing pointing it other than the natural tenancy of threads to self center, which can be overcome pretty easily.