Okay Fellas, here is an update. Lots-a-data.
Thanks you for everyone that has suggested things to analyse.
The response here sounds like the barrel is shot out, but for good measure I am going to try several of the things listed here to rule them out. If its still not grouping I'll move on the getting a barrel. Plus I have 900 rounds loaded for this rifle and ready for Montana P-dog hunting this year.
Seating Depth
This was a big issue and a long story. Short story is I got the seating set right and groups got better. Long story is I changed from measuring the OAL ( to tip of bullet) last year to measuring with an Hornady ogive tool this year. When I changed I didn't remeasure the seating depth correctly with the Hornady chamber tool. I was seating the bullets 0.005 into the lands. Luckily I didn't have any pressure issues. I correctly seated the bullets to 0.010 off the lands and shot a couple series last night. The groups got much better. See a couple targets below.
Reloading
V-max bullets - Yes, these are a different lot of bullets. Do i Need to re-start the load development process? I'm not looking for one hole groups from this rifle, but would like to see 1inch-ish. Specially since I know it can do it.
Powder - I am also into a new lot of Varget powder. This is the second 8lb jug. You will see in the targets below a batch one and batch two, these are the powder jugs. Again, Do I need to re-start load development to get 1 inch-ish groups?
Light in Barrel
I shined a light from the muzzle and and could see the rifling up to the chamber. Nothing looked missing, flattened or scorched from what I could tell.
Crown ???
Upon inspection of the crown I found a ding in it. See Photo. What is the best way to address this? Can I lightly file this spot or should I get a chamfer toll like this article? brownells-video-shows-how-to-cut-chamfer-on-barrel-crown Can I try the file as see if it works? I could have a neighbor chuck it in his lath and cut a chamfer as well.
Next steps
Last night I started to clean the bore. First with a powder residue remover then with Gunslick Foaming bore Cleaner. Once the bore is clean and have possibly fixed the crown issue I will shoot this rifle again. I will use a tight fit patch. I typically use a Its nice having a your shooting range be in your back yard.
Photos:
Here is the rifle for reference. Its a basic use and abuse rifle.
Here is the Crown of the rifle. Notice the dent near the top
Here is the first target, this is with the improper seated rounds and the standard group I was getting when things went bad. Note, this is the first keg of powder. Squares are 1/2" with bold 1"
Here is first keg of powder with the proper seating depth. 5th shot I pulled way to the right off the paper. (oops) This is getting closer to what the rifle used to do.
Here is the 2nd keg of powder with the proper seating depth. Groups opened up more than I would like here.

Thanks you for everyone that has suggested things to analyse.
The response here sounds like the barrel is shot out, but for good measure I am going to try several of the things listed here to rule them out. If its still not grouping I'll move on the getting a barrel. Plus I have 900 rounds loaded for this rifle and ready for Montana P-dog hunting this year.
Seating Depth
This was a big issue and a long story. Short story is I got the seating set right and groups got better. Long story is I changed from measuring the OAL ( to tip of bullet) last year to measuring with an Hornady ogive tool this year. When I changed I didn't remeasure the seating depth correctly with the Hornady chamber tool. I was seating the bullets 0.005 into the lands. Luckily I didn't have any pressure issues. I correctly seated the bullets to 0.010 off the lands and shot a couple series last night. The groups got much better. See a couple targets below.
Reloading
V-max bullets - Yes, these are a different lot of bullets. Do i Need to re-start the load development process? I'm not looking for one hole groups from this rifle, but would like to see 1inch-ish. Specially since I know it can do it.
Powder - I am also into a new lot of Varget powder. This is the second 8lb jug. You will see in the targets below a batch one and batch two, these are the powder jugs. Again, Do I need to re-start load development to get 1 inch-ish groups?
Light in Barrel
I shined a light from the muzzle and and could see the rifling up to the chamber. Nothing looked missing, flattened or scorched from what I could tell.
Crown ???
Upon inspection of the crown I found a ding in it. See Photo. What is the best way to address this? Can I lightly file this spot or should I get a chamfer toll like this article? brownells-video-shows-how-to-cut-chamfer-on-barrel-crown Can I try the file as see if it works? I could have a neighbor chuck it in his lath and cut a chamfer as well.
Next steps
Last night I started to clean the bore. First with a powder residue remover then with Gunslick Foaming bore Cleaner. Once the bore is clean and have possibly fixed the crown issue I will shoot this rifle again. I will use a tight fit patch. I typically use a Its nice having a your shooting range be in your back yard.
Photos:
Here is the rifle for reference. Its a basic use and abuse rifle.

Here is the Crown of the rifle. Notice the dent near the top

Here is the first target, this is with the improper seated rounds and the standard group I was getting when things went bad. Note, this is the first keg of powder. Squares are 1/2" with bold 1"

Here is first keg of powder with the proper seating depth. 5th shot I pulled way to the right off the paper. (oops) This is getting closer to what the rifle used to do.

Here is the 2nd keg of powder with the proper seating depth. Groups opened up more than I would like here.
