I believe that Sabotloader found my problem. After a careful disassembly of my gun, I found something of great concern. There's no one to blame my rifles condition but myself, but on our last outing, my son asked if he could help with the clean up and I agreed. When I removed my breech plug this evening while talking to Sabotloader on the phone, I was amazed at what I found. A huge build up of breech plug grease was caked up at the muzzle end of the plug and after it's removal, the barrel was about 1/5th covered by what appeared to be hardened or crystalized grease. Upon further inspection with a good light, I found that the grooves in the first 3 inches of the barrel beyond the breech plug threads were not visable. Sabotloader said that it was probably plastic and breech plug grease. Anyhow, I spent the last 2 hours cleaning the heck out of it, pouring boiling water down the barrel and just a good thourough cleaning. I had never poured boiling water down the barrel but cannot believe how shiney the barrel is now. I'm sure that this was the culprit and appreciate you guys for helping me. I also took the scope off for the boiling and to check and make sure that everything was tight and it was. I'm gonna shoot her again tomorrow and if it doesn't shoot well, I'll try another scope. It has a new Nikon on it now but I have a spare redfield illuminater in the gun safe. Ya'll cross your fingers and toes.