Synthetic stock issue?????

[trickrick]

I have a 243 Handi Rifle that I purchased new a couple of weeks ago and am having accuracy issues. I met a gentleman at the range on Sunday that suggested this sight.....and I love it!
The issue I seem to be having is getting good consistant groupings (4 or 5 inches at 50 yards) and hope you guys can steer me in the right direction.
I have shot approx. 150+ rounds through the gun....did the proper break in procedure of shoot and clean, etc according to everything I have read.
I have shot both factory rounds and handloads with not a lot of improvment.
I noticed that my fore end is set slightly off to one side and while one side has approx. 1/8" clearance down the barrel the other side fits VERY snug against it.
 
As suggested, I have installed the "o"ring on the stud and sanded the inside of the fore end with a dowel and sandpaper until I can pass a folded bill from the barrel back to the stud.
Since I will not be able to go back to the range until Saturday I am wondering if I am on the right track, or if there are any more mods that might help in my accuracy?
 
My call to H&R customer service today netted in me returning my brand new gun to a service center(Not really what I want to do).
 
Thanks in advance for your help, and look forward to much more time in the forums!
 

[quickdtoo]

Welcome! Spend some time in the FAQs and Help sticky, pretty much everything you need to know is there, start with the Handi Basics 101 sticky, if you take care of the basics first, you'll be off to a better start. If it's a Superlight model with 20" barrel, you need to keep the barrel cool, two or three shots maximum and let it cool completely, 9 out of 10 times, the first two will group tight with the right load, the third will be a flyer, any more from the hot barrel will be a waste of powder, bullets and your time. 

Tim