Let's think outside the box. What if he stops shooting to clean, but doesn't clean at all, just lets the gun sit for the same time it takes to clean it? I.e. let the gun cool down with no other actions taken. (When you cool and clean a rifle, you're actually tweaking two variables at once, violating the prime troubleshooting directive.)
If everything you do is wrong and your equipment is crap, how do you shoot 1/4 inch 5 shot groups every time you clean? Think about it. Something is happening as the barrel warms and corrected when it cools.
That is a good question. But, 5 shots from a br....not much heat yet either. Could well be a lack of focus after the first group magnified by poor bench manners.
Something about minds thinking alike? Perhaps because I grew up about 20 miles from your home.
The common sense in me says not after only 5 shots from a br.
In a rifle with no bedding problems, sure. But there's still a box needing checked off in a list of possible causes, and there's obviously evidence that the rifle is fine dead cold, sooo ...
