MislMan,
Good suggestion about the temp of the ammo.
Coincidentally, I went back and reviewed the history of this barrel since I chambered it and found a detail that I had missed.
In early Oct, at 3000 fps, the barrel shot great. I shot 46/50 at our monthly varmint match, and the 4 I missed were poor wind reads.
The next time I shot it, it started at 3000 fps and crept up to 3060 at the end of the match. It was a horrible match. My target puller was incompetent and I was struggling to get a score. It was hot and sunny out and I attributed the increase in velocity to the powder heating up and planned to being shade to the next match at this location. I also shot a lot of rounds trying to get zeroed with bad feedback from the pits. Hope I didn't melt the throat....but I think I just started to build up carbon.
The next time I shot it was the post annealing session that I reported above where the velocity went to 3100. My normal range location is cool and shady so the ammo heat isn't a problem. In retrospect, I see that the velocity was already trending up indicating the likely buildup of a carbon ring.
Yesterday, I noted much more sooting of the outside of the neck than normal.
I will probably find the answer when my new borescope gets here.
--Jerry