Joe, I have found out that it is indeed the many "little things" that make a rifle a real shooter, as opposed to a rifle that just shoots.
As Kees so aptly pointed out, "ya can't have a cant" and expect a Candle Snuffer.
Like so many others over the years, I was unable to see the forest for all the trees in front of it, so it had to be something inside the barrel that was giving me "Pie Plate" size groups.
Maybe the Patch, or the thickness of the Patch, or the Powder Charge, possibly even the lot # of that Powder?
But after a frantic search, you realize nothing has changed here.
Few people take the time to "really" check their sights....if the sights are still attached to the barrel, and looked okay to the eye, then it has got to be something else, soooo after doing your normal checks, scrubbing the barrel for the umpteenth time, you tighten the lock, tighten everything else you can get a screwdriver on, and call it good-to-go.
But....at the Range, you find yourself using words you wouldn't dare use in Church, and your Rifle has just been called everything under the Sun but what it really is.
All that you have accomplished, in many circumstances, is made things even worse......now you have the tail chasing the Cat.
There is a very old, but very true adage of change only one thing at a time....this "adage" has merit and is worth its weight in gold.....not to mention time-saving!
Good post, Joe
I hope you do have another Candle Snuffer, it's always nice to have two or three of those around.
Russ...