You basically got "the luck of the draw". As you now know, factory barrels are capable of fine accuracy but it's not a constant. Your next factory purchased could be a stinker. Most of the time, the better quality aftermarket match barrels can and do outshoot factory barrels because of the extra care that goes into their construction. You notice I said "most of the time", even aftermarket barrels can be a stinker.
Like you, I'm quite happy with the accuracy of my factory stainless and fluted 1 in 9 twist 223 barrel, so much so I bought another from Jim in a 1 in 7 twist to try at long range with the heavier bullets now available.
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