That is indeed an interesting question. If you are one of those who dotes on ultimate accuracy it should indeed be done. I consider a 2-3 inch rifle that is consistant to be useable as a hunting rifle. As over 95% of hunting oportunities take place at less than 200 yards and of the other 5% most hunters don't have the skill to be shooting at that distance. If the rifle is to be a hunter and the barrel being used is top grade and the action is fairly new or quite old, squaring and lapping may be very beneficial. Most actions, properly bedded and with an average barrel will stay near the majic 1" group size, as is. Is it necessary, probably not, but the expense is fairly small considering the overall outlay for a custom rifle or even a re-barrel. If building the rifle for long range sniping at varmits or perhaps long range targets, it is necessary. In those games we need the best possible accuracy we can wring from the rifle and good even bearing of the locking lugs is important. How much improvement we see is of course dependant on the place we start from and can range from little to dramatic improvement, depending on how square things were to start with. Most new actions (note I said most) will benefit from this treatment. Most of the M98's that were built well (not war production) will be found to need little help at all. All casehardened actions should be lapped only the bare minimum as lapping through the case is disasterous! as to the last question, will it make a 1 inch shooter into a 1/4 shooter the answer is simple, No. But only very,very rarely will you see a rifle shoot consistant 1/4 inch groups that hasn't been squared and lapped, and then it was probably because it wasn't needed. Remember the rule of diminishing returns, it will take more work to go from a 1" rifle to a 1/2" rifle than from a 2" rifle to a 1" rifle. From there and smaller live the all out efforts of the rifle world. There are few true consistantly 1/4" rifles and even fewer shooters capable of using them well. To create them usually requires all out efforts of the gunsmith and the reloader/shooter. If that were your aim you would not have asked the question you did. If all you really want is a deer rifle and 1" to 1-1/2" groups will make you happy (and they should) you probable can live without the extra expense. If you love to show off the tiny groups or shoot at long ranges, hunt prairy dogs or chucks at long range or chase antelope in the big flats, you may want the extra advantage of a 1/2" rifle.. Also if building a full custom rifle the cost is so small, considering the total cost of the rifle, that not doing it would be ludicrous..
