ll I know is, after I got a new (Larger) hinge pin and started using fired and minimally-sized brass, my .223 started shooting tiny groups. So maybe I should've said "minimally-sized."
Here's another question--if headspacing is critical, why wouldn't you want a crush fit?
I don't think my sample of one necessarily proves anything, but you could say the same about your sample of one, especially since your handloads had been sized for a different rifle.
I'm like you, I would have thought a slight crush fit would be best, but read that it does not allow the action to close the same way each time, promoting larger groups. I've read others on forums saying the same thing, that their handloads shot like dogs until they sized them down far enough. Just a theory that's out there.
I will say that I prefer bolt guns, like others here have noted, but I got this one because my wife shoots lefty and with this rifle we can carry just one gun when we hunt together. I do like the balance and short overall length of the rifle. It is as short as my 20" 7mm-08 bolt action and only goes 7.7lbs with the fairly heavy 24" barrel and a 3-9x40 Leupold.
