Seems logical to me. Especially with consistent velocity in ammo and handloads that you know are consistent. As you shoot check barrel float with a dollar bill. I had a 25-06 Weatherby MkV ultralight years ago that did the same thing. It would group great the first couple shots and then get squirrelly as it heated up. It’s unpredictable nature drove me crazy. In between shots I would try sliding a bill under the barrel and sometimes it was snug, sometimes it was loose. Totally inconsistent. I sold it. That light bbl was all over the place. I’m sure it would have benefited from a good bedding/floating job. Lightweight rifles/barrels need bedding imo. I’d check your scope/bases/rings first. Then I’d try a bedding job. I’d rule out the mechanical variables.
Buddy of mine same the said thing. Things there might be a littl too much whip from the pencil barrel.
I bought a Blaser R93 last week.....not sure if I'll invest in bedding or sell it and invest in a 6.5x55 barrel.
