Every rifle is different and it will also depend on how you clean. The bottom line is you need a borescope to monitor your cleaning effort and the you need to make note of results on the range. Your experience is not out of the ordinary. Some barrels will require more shots through the bore than others. I have other barrels require 5-6 shots to settle down. And then there are the scopes that take several shots to settle as well!! That's why you practice and learn about your rifle's characteristics. I'd rather clean than have a rifle foul out in the middle of a match. Nothing like shooting 3 screamer groups and then have the last two groups knock you out of the grand agg!!Hi, It may even be me....I've shot good and bad groups with and without a fouling shot....I will say, as a rule, my 4th or 5th set of groups are usually better then my first 2 or 3 groups...I usually shoot 5 shot groups...So if that's due to a fouled barrel, then hell, I'd need 10 or more fouling shots....