Finally got some groups!

[bigbear_98]

What did your groups look like before you did the work? I just finished bedding the barrel and truing the receiver because I couldn't get anything tighter that 2". Can't wait to shoot it tomorrow and see if I made any progress.

I had done the barrel to receiver work when I first built the rifle. I only had gotten 45 rounds through it and the bolt broke. During that time I was getting ok groups, but not consistently. See the three pictures below. I don't know that just the receiver work was the only factor as my receiver was pretty square.
I finally got a couple of bolts from Maxim. About 2 weeks ago had a chance to put some time behind the rifle at 500 yards. I was hitting a 4" target but wasn't super consistent.
First I had to adjust the cheek riser a few times to get comfortable behind the scope. Then I noticed I couldn't hold the reticle truly level with the world. When I would dial the knobs, being unlevel would throw the round out of the group.
I then decided to put a little dryfire on the rifle to get used to it during which I noticed a tiny bit of play between the upper and lower receiver. I know everyone says it won't matter, but I saw this with my own eyes. I could no more than twitch my hand, and the sights were off by inches left to right. I believe when the rifle would fire, it would tweak a little and my eyes to sight to target line was getting tweaked. I took a small shim and fit it between the receivers on the sides of the front lug. I also put an accuwedge at the rear lug. The two are solid like a bolt gun now. No lateral movement.

I have also learned a few ways to make my shooting more consistent.
1. Don't use orange dots. For some reason optics and mirage make it hard to focus on them
2. let the rifle be completely supported by something other than your body. Whether it be your bipod and a sand bag, or a benchrest. Whatever. You can make the rifle shoot poorly by trying to fight it.
3. When you are shooting at circles, put the reticle at the edges of the circle. makes it easier to hold on a constant spot.
4. Turn your knobs a 1/2 moa or so off of your aiming point so you don't shoot out your aiming point.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you these things, but when I find something I want to do, I try to learn all I can about it and share the info when I can. Maybe I have OCD? :-)