Coop,
When you say you spent over $300 on factory shells, I read that as you bot and shot only factory loads. Well, perhaps you kept shooting the same ammo and hoping it would get smaller groups, I don't know as you are not clear on your explanation.
However, I find that with single shot guns, as with my bolt action guns that hold 5 in a clip, or my six shot revolvers, half the fun is tinkering with the various powders and bullet combo's to find the combination that gives that paticular gun the most accurate load.
Sometimes that can be done in a week. Somtimes that can be done in a month or even longer. But it can be done.
I am whackin more G-hogs and crows this summer than ever before. One good shot....that's all I need, and that's what this single shot gives me.
Dave.