I would try other ammo. If one load doesn't shoot consistently, I'd start there if 3-5 loads don't shoot consistently that may be a different story.. Cold temps shouldn't effect anything beyond a bit of velocity loss.
The Lower Madison is a tailwater and should be clear enough to fish. It might not be gin clear, but should have enough to be worth fishing it... If I were in your shoes I'd call The River's Edge fly shop or The Bozeman Angler. Either one ought to have the skinny on where clarity is at.
I tend to run something like a lead sled when I'm working on load development, bore sighting and breaking in guns. After that. Final zero is as close to field conditions as I can make it. In my case, bipod up front and the "sandbag" (sand replaced with lightweight acrylic pellets) that I...
Both are really good companies. I worked in retail when vortex first started out, we had a few issues with our first bacth of optics we received. It took a while to get replacements, but we got them free of charge. I doubted them for a while, but in the next 2.5yrs I worked there I didn't see...
Having spent several years working behind a gun counter, I can say that stuff happens. I'd say to take it back. That to me looks like a pretty serious ding to have been made by mounting the optic. i'd think it may more likely be manufacturer issue with the ring. I'd swap it out just to be...
MJE,
I have taken Elk with both a 7-08 and a .308. Both do the job well. I started shooting a Rem M7 youth in 7-08 at the age of 12. That was a fairly light rifle, and the recoil was managable for my younger self. Caldwell among others also make recoil "shields" specifically for women that...
Have a very lightly used Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 for sale. Has been mounted once, on a .308, no significant dings in the finish, glass is pristine.
Illuminated NPR-2 Reticule 2nd focal plane
.25MOA turrets
High Speed Zero Stop
Everything works well, feel free to ask for any other details...
Lightly used Sako 85 Varmint Laminate Stainless in .308Win. I have put apporox 150 rounds of factory ammo through it. The rifle is more accurate than I am, and have pushed it out to 1185yds on steel. In beautiful condition, can provide more pictures if wanted. Comes with Sako Quadlock bases...
I hope your results vary from mine... I ran a few tests of RL-17 and just couldn't get it to shoot worth a dang... I don't remember what the velocity was like, but I couldn't get it under 1.5 MOA.
Ben,
I've had two .325's over the years. I've been pretty pleased with them. Accuracy is Great, currently I'm running a new production Winchester m70 Sporter, and it is a half MOA gun when I can do my part. I've had great luck with a 200gr Nosler AccuBond. I've taken Antelope, Deer, Elk and...
For typical hunting situations 20 fps of difference is inconsequential. Not all powders are that temperature stable. When velocity increases or decreases, pressure will follow. The one thing that I have encountered is with one single hand load, when I loaded it max, and chronoed it in...
http://www.hodgdon.com/smokeless/extreme/page2.php#top
Here's a link from Hodgdon's website. The second graph down shows velocity change between 0-125 Degrees F including H4831SC and RL22. IMHO the Hodgdon extreme powders are some of the best produced, hands down. If the rifle will shoot...