RE: Cold bore shot opinions needed!
I love to get my hands on guns like this....If I'm reading everything properly...This gun is grouping 2 inches at 100 yards...Its a heavy barrel Ruger thats been free floated in 25-06??? That thing ought to do under an inch at 100 yards....
1) I can't remember if that model is factory free-floated or not...I would check to see that the barrel is not touching the stock in any point...I would also loosen the bedding screws....and tighten the front one good and tight...while having your thumb on the tang....then tighten the tang screw...the tang shouldn't move after the front screw is tightened...in other words the action shouldn't pivot or "rock" in the stock...if bedded properly....This is why we glass bed or piller bed stocks...to give the barrel a good platform....If you do have this pivot....it needs to be corrected...
2) Check all the scope screws...this is what is nice about Rugers...they can all be tightened without taking off the scope...
3) Clean the barrel...get all the copper out...I like Sweets...Outers doesn't get it done...Make sure you remove the bolt and clean from the breech...
4)Assuming you are shooting factory loads...Get at least 3 different loads...
I have seen guns shoot 3-4 inch groups with one brand and 1 1/4 with another...
5) Get a good shooting bench, sand bags (a bag of corn works ok) rifle rest ..etc...too many guys expect 3/4 inch groups shooting off the hood of their truck...
6)If it is still not grouping...check the scope by either replacing with a known good one...or shooting a square...
7)If you do have to bed this gun...replace the trigger...with Timney etc...