Since yesterday, I cleaned the barrel until I think it's finally down to the metal again. I should not have assumed I got it clean the when I first got the rifle. The likelihood is the barrel was quite fowled. I also worked hard to make sure there was not carbon ring at the front of the chamber any longer.
Made a few more changes, first went to a scope I had confidence in, and last night went back to the Redfield single piece base, and installed new Burris Signature rings, got it all leveled and torqued down, laser bore sighted.
Also, I was able to make some space between the bolt handle, which was touching the stock, thank you guys for all the suggestions on what to look at and do.
So, I had some tests loaded before I started this post, and today went out and shot those, Plus, I shot 3 rounds of Remington factory ammo, 17 Fireball Premier AccuTip-V 20 grain tipped flat base. At least, that sidesteps the variables of my own reloading, and my brass.
The first target has first bull with some unfired brass, H335 19.0 grains, 20 Vmax Rem 7.5 primers. The rest are once fired brass, ladder of H335 in 19.0, 19.3, 19.6 and 20.0. Slight breeze 0-5 mph, 78 degrees.
All of the groups on average are better, the 19.3 has very high SD of 40.1, and 19.6 was worse, at 50.3. Last group shows promise at 20 grains and SD of 10.3. I wonder what a different bullet might do?
This second target has first bull with factory Remington ammo, not a great group, SD of 28.8. The other three groups are all with unfired brass, and 19.0 grains of H335, with 20 grain Vmax, I wanted to fireform more brass.
These fireforming groups aren't terrible, with the unfired brass, so overall, I'm very happy with knowing the barrel is likely NOT shot out, probably just fouled from a few hundred rounds from the last owner.
I'll be working on the other issues, as I continue to look over this suggestions on this post, and want to
thank you all for sending helpful comments.