Hi, I recently bought a Savage Edge in 223 for a coyote rifle and plinking.

I loaded 100 rounds with the following load: 24,5gr of WC-735 behind a Hornady 55gr SP(not SPSX).
This load shoots fine in my other 223, not a match load but very good for plinking.

The other day, I fired 10 shots , but it was for breaking-in the barrel, so I didn't shot at target, only into the sand bank between each cleaning, I also chrony'd some shots and got a constant 3150fps, so the load seems fine.

Then I installed my old Redfield 5-Star 3-9x40, re-cleaned the barrel and headed for the range. At the very 1st shot, the bullet hits the target sideway! (at 100y).
I was scratching my head, maybe there was solvent left in the bore I thought...
The 2nd shot, about 1 in. above the 1st one with a perfect round .224 hole, pheww.
Then the 3rd shot also hit the target sideway!
I removed the bolt and looked at the bore, all seems good.

I had looked thru the bore before, when cleaning, and didn't find anything suspicious, and the cleaning rod spins with the riflings when pushing a patch with a jag.

I decided to try a 2nd 3-shot group:
1st bullet hits ok, 2nd sideway again, then 3rd one is ok.
At that moment, rain began to pour down, so I left the range.

I'm puzzled, this rifle is supposed to have a 1:9 twist, plenty fast for the little Hornady 55gr SP, and speed is good at 3150fps.

Anyone have an idea? Thanks for your thoughts!