RE: Bullet After Leaves Barrel ?
The bullet does change shape in the barrel, since it is forced into the rifling. It does not change shape in flight.
Most error seen on paper under 100 yards is due to the bullet not going to sleep right away. It is common to find a rifle of large caliber that shoots better at 200 yards than it does at 100 yards. Any movement right or left in travel is generally because of wind drift.