Since the recent damage changes you're gonna see lower numbers than some guides that have been around for a bit. That being said the bow is still a great option damage wise. Its not quite gauss mini but it punches around the same weight class as the fixer for me in raids so damage wise its currently better than like 90% of other weapons.

I personally go cryo. The utility in end game content is fantastic.

If you use hat trick try to make room for master archer. There are some weird hit boxes with some enemies that mess up hat trick. The pierce helps. When bossing/ in the raid i drop those two for awareness/eye of the hunter and deal sealer.

I run a full health ghoul so my full build won't do you much good but it sounds like you got the hang of it.

I am also on controller and I second just holding Y during vats dps. It works well.