I have 176 rounds fired so far in this gun. Twenty were handloads using Sierra GS 100 gr. which gave me about a 4" group (100 yd.), the rest have all been factory loads, twenty max. of any one variety. Of the factory loads the best groups up to this week came with 70 gr. bullets. I just completed a free-float job by bedding hollow brass sleeves for the forearm screws but have done nothing to the trigger, which certainly needs some work. After a couple hundred more shots I will probably take care of that. I got this rifle for a backpack deer hunt in a high preference point area and am running out of time to get it tuned up.So this last weekend I tried Federal Premium ammo with Sierra Gameking BTSP bullets in 100 gr. (3" group 5" low and 3" right); Winchester Supreme with 100 gr. Power-Point + (group 3 1/2" high 1"v X 1 1/2"h) and Winchester Supreme with 95 gr. Nosler Ballistic Silvertip (groups 1" high, 1st one 1 5/8", second one almost 1/2 min. with 4 shots touching but but 3rd of 5 shots went 5" high and 1" left!!). The extraction problem occured with both Win. ammos, one of which is nickel and one brass cased.
I know these groups are adequate for hunting, but that confidence that comes from knowing exactly where a shot is going to hit is hard to beat when it is time to pull the trigger.
By the way, I wouldn't have known where to start without lurking on this board for the past six months. Thanks to all.