Sold a Ruger Deerfield Carbine in .44 mag because it couldnt hit a barn from the inside. Tried all kinds of loads in it and thought that I had found one that worked pretty good 2.5-3 MOA which was fine espeically for a close range deer gun. Was sitting in the treestand and a small buck came out about 40 yards away and stood broadside to me. I put the crosshairs just behind the shoulder and let er rip. I saw dirt fly from below him, and he ran off. Completely missed him.
Well that was the end of it for me. I sold it for a good price and kept the scope. I bought a 700 CDL in 7mm-08 with the money from it, which was a pretty fair trade in my books. Put the same scope on it. Same problem. Put a new scope on it, and shot the old scope. I regret selling it because it was a nice little gun, and it wasn't the problem. But at the same time I wouldn't trade the 700 for anything. I will clover leaf no problem, plenty of power for anything I hunt at any sane range, just plain great.