well a vari-x III 4.5-14 x 50 later the 300 ultra is grouping again. I talked to Nikon and the earliest they could get the scope back to me was 2 weeks and I am leaving in a little over 3 weeks for an elk/mule deer hunt with this as my primary rifle. I guess the nikon will get sent back to the factory and will try it on something else when I get it back. thanks for the ideas and confirmation guys. back to the range today to finish sighting in today and then a little longer range shooting out at the farm. thanks again