I thought I might have read somewhere that it was normal, I was just making sure. But the funny thing is, since I was getting a stray first shot after cleaning; before I went to the range last time, I ran a wire bristle brush through the bore then ran some (dry) patches. I didn't even use any bore solvent this last time and it still had an errant first shot. I have a ruger m77 markII, and have heard with some ruger barrels they were bored oversized and need the first or second shot to deposit gun powder in the barrel and then stabelize the bullet better. I have always thought this was a load of crap, but I am starting to wonder about my gun. Thanks for everyones reply.