My Ruger M77, 300 Win Mag that Ive had forever and a day, wasnt floated and touched the end from the factory. Way back when, I was sooo frustrated with it. I could one shot kill a deer with it, no problem. But, could not for the life of me shoot a group with it. After the first shot it would throw them everywhere. At the time I knew nothing about floating. I tried scopes, and all the other things you check. Finally, I was with a guy that did a little of his own smithing. He checked it and took it apart and floated the bbl. It made a ton of difference. It will shoot after all, more than one shot.
That was many moons ago.
Now, when I buy a rifle, I dont even shoot em til they are pillar and bedded, trigger job and action checked. Spoiled I guess.
Thing is, that "old" one shot Ruger killed alot of deer before it got "fixed".
Andy