Actually, in spite of the written word here & elsewhere, I think most factory rifles, including Remingtons, need a bit of work to shoot consistently
under 1"-1 1/2". Some never will.........many factory barrels have been straightened and whenever that occurs, ultra-fine accuracy from a gun with such a barrel is just happenstance and your good luck if you get such a rifle.
A little action bedding work, straighten the barrel channel side contact, fix the barrel bedding point, float the barrel or whatever else floats your boat is almost always in order & bebeficial.
I also don't think that the vast majority of everyday "shooters" could should an inch consistently regardless of the capabilities of the gun.
MM
I've bought about 20 used Remingtons and 7-8 new ones in the last 2-3 years and haven't had a one of them (except two Titaniums mentioned below) that wouldn't shoot under an inch with my handloads.
I don't know what kind of rifles you're using but maybe you should change or try something else different.
I've stayed away from the thin barreled rifles lately except for two Titaniums in 308 and neither of them would hold under 3"-4" and I sold them both with warnings to the buyers that I'd had serious accuracy trouble with them. Neither buyer got them to shoot either and both sold them.
One of the Remington reps at the last Shot Show told me they'd discontinued the Titanium "non-magnums" due to accuracy complaints.
$bob$
With the exception of Sako's & an older Rem. KS, not a single factory specimen from Win., Rem or Ruger I've bought in the last 6-7 years, has been free of all of the afflictions I mentioned.......especially prevalent is the tendency for the barrel to be touching one side or another of the barrel channel which I don't like.
Just picked up an new "old" model Rem Ti in 7-08 and when tightened down in the stock, the only part of the receiver forward of the mag cutoff that contacts the stock, is just in front of the mag well cutout and that is only point contact.
When I talked to Rem about it, they weren't even concerned and told me if I glass bedded the rifle, it would void the warranty on the stock......laughin'. Just a bit of barrel pressure !!! Essentially only being supported at the tang and barrel bedding point.
And this was the 2nd Ti I got; 1st one I received from the distributer, had a mismatched serial number on the bolt / receiver........with factory tape still on the box.
Guess you've just been extremely lucky with the guns you've gotten vs me, and/or an extremely good shooter or maybe your handloads are more magical than mine, but I doubt it.
However, I do have to say that most of the guns, once, tweaked to whatever degree, usually come around; once in a while though they do not.
As to shooting light rifles well, it takes a little bench technique as well as a capable gun. Although if one is fitted as the one I just got, and not corrected, I can see where you'd draw your conclusion.
But I'm glad you've been so successful with outa the box factory rifles.......
MM
