T o answer a few questions, this is the 4th the 300 magnum Ive owned. I just received my 4.5x14x40lr back from leupold prior to the gun being finished and I mounted the scope myself so I can assure everything is tight (rings were lapped also). I do agree gunsmiths can have bad days and I do not discount that theory one bit. I'm not bothered by recoil, but I do have off days at the range. Yesterday may have been one of them. Today I shot the same 165gmx superperformance hornadys and shot 3 groups with the biggest being a tad under an inch and the smallest being about 3/8". I also shot some 180 SST superperformance and they averaged just under an inch as well. What was really cool was they had the same point of impact, without adjustment. The disappointing ammo was the HSM 168VLD Hunting. They shot horrible, averaging around 2.5 to 3.5 inches.
I appreciate all the info you guys are throwing out there, it has made me consider some things I may otherwise would not have. Keep em coming.