In a herd of .223 fanatics, I bought a bull barrel Model 12 in .204 because they had to see it in action. We hope to use it on prairie dogs.

We know what we're doing off the bench. Two guys are at .24" in a five shot group competition and I've set a national record for .22 through iron sights.

Problem: the .204 won't do better than 1" groups at 100 yards, and then only after a couple warm-up shots. We've tried all bullet weights from 26 to 40g and several powders. Factory Federals are no better. All rounds were loaded near maximum velocities. The hand loads are as long as the magazine will allow but still do not quite touch the rifling.

My factory Marlin .17 HMR will do 3/8" under the same conditions. I really don't think the trigger actuators are the issue.

What do you suggest?

Ed