Update:
Freefloat arrived and installed, along with said parts.

Different scope installed (S&B 3-12) and range test completed today.

Was going very well (consistent 1" groups @ 100m) using 42gr AR2208 with Amax 168gr. OAL of 3.196" using the Hornady .308 comparator (which is 1" long), so 2.196" is to the ogive.
Handloads use a smidge of crimp.

A friend let me try 5 shots of Australian Outback 168gr ammo - also just under 1" group.

Being thorough I removed the crimp and reset AOL. WOW 2.5" group.

Now I've got to find my crimp factor and retest, seems 1" is it - still not bad. Guess I was over hopeful to get 0.5"

I've also now polished the ramp fed as I noticed scratching on the projectiles. I've removed the extractor and cycled and now only get extraction marks. Some judicious tweaking of lugs should remove these.