jdreddish,
I understand exactly how you feel. I used to be an accuracy fanatic. I was never happy if a rifle would not put everything through 1 hole. Years later, especially when my eyes got worse, I realised that I was going a bit far with that. Since I have mellowed with age, I am relatively happy if I can be consistent from group to group - let alone sub MOA. I have always, for some reason, been very lucky with the rifles I've owned. As I said before, I've owned five Rem. 700's and every one has been a very good to great rifle. I have simplified my life lately and gotten rid of all except one rifle and one shotgun. My last and favorite rifle is a Rem. 700 ADL synthetic...the youth model (I wanted the 20" barrel)... that amazes me every time I shoot it. One of the cheapest rifles Remington sells. I have it set up as a "Scout rifle" right now - with a 2X handgun scope, mounted ahead of the receiver. I wanted to try this idea and make up a rifle that I could shoot with both eyes open (chronic eyestrain). I never shoot much beyond 150 yds anymore, so the short- range nature of this set-up didn't phase me. I must say that I am impressed with the rifle.
I have posted a target, from my last trip to the range. 100 metres, from an improvised rest, 31 rounds fired, 6" dia. bull, 3-4 shot groups. Several of the groups (which I checked after every other string) were .75" - 1.25". This with 7.62 NATO mil-surp ammo ! (I use this for practice.) I am amazed. Not at myself - for I am NOT much of a shot anymore - but the rifle. I credit the "both eyes open" technique - which can be done with the forward- mounted scope.
Anyway, enough about that. I thought a few people might find this interesting. Good luck with your "project" rifle - i hope it works out just as you would like.

Well, I haven't posted the target, after all. I get an "error uploading file to disk" message every time I try it. I'll try with another post.