9.3X57No offence taken. I do appreciate the experience and knowledge that is freely given by those on the Forum.

However from reading I have done and it does not come from the publications you mention - just an old pamphlet the old man had years ago- the grove depth over .316 was consider time to rebarrel. Can not even tell you if it was an Australian, British, Kiwi etc, just a unit or Rifle Club issue. So I find I am agreeing with you. The next paragraph will out line why I was looking at grove depth as the culprit.

I have tried shooting with the fore arm on and off, with just the action on the sandbag, resting the hanger on the bag, with the front of the forearm and just the back of the forearm on the bag. I tried some shims between the hanger and barrel still no luck. That was when I decided it was time for the Importers to check the thing and was seriously considering the grove diameter to have a bearing. I did not get the bore size off the smith ARRRH. After I had used 5 boxes (3X6 hour Range sessions) I went to shooting 3 shot groups still not much of an improvement.

I have shot 8 boxes (20 rounds a box) of various Factory ammo through it. All at 50 mts. I managed to get one group -5 shot- that was under 2 inches. I did this by allowing the barrel to cool for 15 to 20 minutes between shots and have not been able to replicate that group size. All other groups are upto 1.5 inches wide and between 2 and 4 inches verticaly. 2 inches at 50 is 4 at 100mts now when I was in the Infantry if a digger could not shoot a group of 4" or under with his SLR he did not qualify and back for remedial training. This by the way was lying supported not off a bench rest and 5 shots. If the rifle was incapable of producing 4inch groups or less consistantly it was sent back to the armourer. My Mk5 with battle sights shoots tighter than the Ruger with a scope. If I was not thining so much on top I would pull some hair out

Just have to wait and see if the importers can get the rifle to shoot.

Thanks all for the information and results of your own personal experiences.

Cheers
Greg