Traded for a 223 with burntmuch (thanks again by the way).
I did some real debluing, and used steel epoxy to form the recoil lug. I used the dremel to score transverse grooves in the barrel (about 1/16th inch deep), fore and aft of the forearm lug. This should hopefully prevent the factory forearm lug (now encased in the epoxy) from shearing.
It does appear that doing the recoil lug after the hinge pins has created more uniform recoil distribution, split between the lug and the hinge screws.
Again, recoil felt is near nil, and eyes on target after the shot is consistent. Actually got to see a few garden interlopers do the in air spiral after meeting the .223.
Stock works fine with the extractor. When it is chocked up in the shooting sled, a simple tug allows the spent casing to fall down over the dropped receiver and collects neatly on the table.
Groups with factory UMC 223's are OK (1½ MOA)
What other factory 223 loads are performing well? My reloading room is on hold until I build a sunroom for the boss, so I'll be using factory goodies for a while.
In the meantime, I'm doing some selective sanding to make some more aesthetically pleasing curves.
I'd rate the effort worth while.