Oldelkhunter,
When I shoot the iron sights the rifle is dead-on, as best I can shoot it.
Hmmm. I went thru this drill 2 years ago when a guy in my office bought that same model gun and tried to sight it in . I took the scope off (leupold)and put it on one of my rifle and it shot great. I have owned a few Nikon scopes that have never given me a bit of a problem. I would send it back and I am sure they will repair and or replace