Some more updates;
I decided to give an
Accu-Shot Monopod a try in place of a rear bag. I used a
Seekins SRS Rail to attach it to the bottom of the buttstock, which happens to be flat and the rail fits there perfectly.
I've also been experimenting with factory loads (hope to get back to hand-loading in 2019), with the .308 Federal Fusion 180 load showing some promise on a pervious outing. This is a boat-tail soft-point bonded bullet with a decent BC and a reputation for superb terminal performance, so I picked up a few more boxes to give it a more thorough trial.
The range was covered in iced-over snow so shooting prone was a challenge. I used a shipping blanket to lay on which helped me from getting cold but didn't offer much purchase for the bipod feet.
With the target stand set up at 200 yards, I fired three rounds from the cold, clean bore to check my zero. Three clicks up and one left were needed to tweak the zero that was previously set with the Federal GMM 175 load, the next three rounds went into a .450 MOA group. After trying the Hornady 178 ELD load (which the rifle didn't care for), I fired one more 5-shot group with the Fusion load before calling it a day;
For a hard-hitting load with excellent terminal ballistics, I'm thinking I'm going to stock up on this one.
Overall I very much like the Accu-Shot Monopod. Though it's not quite as stable as full size rear bag (my pulse causes noticeable lateral movement), it's a fraction of the weight and stays attached to the rifle. I believe with some more dry firing and working my prone position I should be able to wring more of the accuracy potential out of this rifle.
Before packing up for the day I took a few shots of the rifle as it now stands, this one my favorite;