Will have to shoot it More than 3 next time.....Barrel free floated, Timney trigger....Action tight......Scope and base on correctly and torqued and lock tight. It seems to me like something is shifting is all I can think of.....If the barrel was shot wouldn't it throw them all over? But over several 3 shot groups it did the same every time! It is being shot of a sandbag!
As hinted at by retired, above, more shots may well produce, "double grouping": especially, if the action screws are tight, the action in direct contact with the wood. Typically, "as is" 788s are pretty decent groupers. I have been associated with several, which, once pillar bedded, became capable of sub .5" 5-shot 100 Yd. average. RG
I guess I was not clear, My meaning was that the rifle was somewhat loose and it has since been tightened up correctly but have not tested to see if it changed anything yet...Got to sit down and make more ammo first!
You made that clear - the question: is the stock, at least, epoxy bedded to the action? I the "bedding" is metal (action) to wood (stock) contact, a bedding issue is very likely. RG