Well, most all here know how much troub;e I've had getting my Max to shoot how I want. I'd go shoot, get weird cold shot fliers, get a group...well almost, more like clusters, a bit reminicient of buckshot on occasion in fact.
On closeing the rifle in recent days, I was hearing a kind of "tinking" noise. Would shake the gun and hear nothing, I figured it was the forearm as I run that a tad loose, then on closing the gun after firing a group I saw it, the dang scope moved, reached up and tapped it, sur' 'nuff the rail's loose.
Dismounted the scope, tightened the rail screws, and proceeded to fire the best groups I've seen the rifle fire since I bought it. It really likes 9 grains of milsurp #107 (substitute Blue Dot grain for grain on this) and the RCBS 35-200, when I can hold still it will put 5 shots under a dime at 50 yards. It hasn't shot anything larger than and inch with this, no cold shot fliers either.
I tried some of the Lee custom 180's and AA1680 (WC680) but to no avail. Goes back to making patterns. But the RCBS 35-200 over 21.5 grains of 4198 makes nice 1" groups at 50 yards. Load has a mussle velocity between 1600-1700 fps. Not a barn burner, but with the soft alloy I'm using it ought to take any deer I'd point it at.
Seems the troubles I was having were my of my own making, may even have to reevaluate my thinking on NEF barrels and cast.