Looks like I may provide a possible answer to the SWR "problem". Consider that there may be a little harmonic energy passing from your transmitter. You will never be able to tune this out. To test for this possibility tune the tuner into a non reactive load such as a dummy load. If your minimum can now go to zero then you probably have some harmonics from your transmitter. If you are using a 100 watt transmitter but running at a QRP 5 watt level the mismatched impedances can cause this problem.

72's & 73"s Mike W3IRZ