What can be concluded if the groups fired during testing are consistently high and scattered?

When groups fired during testing are consistently high and scattered, it indicates that there are underlying issues affecting accuracy. This level of grouping suggests that the shots are not landing where aimed, which generally points to problems such as improper sight alignment, inappropriate ammunition, an unsteady shooting stance, or mechanical issues with the rifle itself, such as bedding problems.

In contrast, if the rifle were well-bedded, you would expect a tighter grouping, as proper bedding contributes to improved accuracy by ensuring that the rifle's action and barrel are properly aligned. A highly skilled shooter would generally produce tighter groups as well, and high-quality ammunition typically results in consistent and precise shots. The evidence of consistently high and scattered groups steers the conclusion toward issues needing address rather than the advantages provided by proper shooting skills or equipment quality.