Thanks, Rich, for the compliment. The final coat of Truoil is far from perfect, but it suits me. I made some mistakes along the way, and a couple of them are obvious up close.
The first thing I need to do is spend some range time with the gun. Now that it is mounted in the stock and has been shot about 50 times at p. dogs, I have it cleaned and ready for a range test. The 5/8 "group was one group, and the 7/8" group was one group. 1/4 inch isn't much, given my inability to be consistent with my form etc. The weather is looking good for Monday, so if my range is open then maybe I can give it a good tryout.
When the gun was newer (by about 1700 rounds) I took it out and shot 50 or so rounds at the range, trying different COL, looking for that magic distance off the lands. Turned out the load book spec was the most accurate, and that was off the lands about 0.080" IIRC. That day I shot 4 groups of 3 that were all under 1/2" and a couple were in the 1/4" category. Still have the targets downstairs.
I have never been able to repeat that. Statistically, an individual group, even of 6 or 10 rounds is not definitive.
So, this range trip will be a look-see how the gun is doing in the new furniture. I am not a bench rest or F Class shooter, I shoot prairie dogs. So extremely tight groups are nice and somewhat comforting, but a group of 10 under an inch is really ok with me. Missing a shot or three at a prairie dog is not something to get butt-hurt over IMO.