While I have the digital meat scale out for sausage making, I'm going to weigh that Patriot to see how much it weighs with the scope and rings on it. Just a guess at 7-1/2pounds. The 24" barrel makes it just a bit whippy on recoil with the 56.5 grains of IMR4198, but it's a sharp poke. It has no brake and I'm pretty close to positive that a brake would reduce the felt recoil by maybe 40% but at this juncture I'm not putting brake on because I don't want to deal with the blast on that short of a barrel.
Our weather has chilled down some now, so I think I'll take to the range again this week while the highs are in the mid 30's and I'll wear my hunting coat. I want to see what the 57 grains is like by inching the charge up a tenth of a grain every couple shots until I get to that mark. The gun is zeroed at 100 and groups are quarterish with the 195 grain Barnes, the 200 xtp and the fury 22 grain Star Tip, all .40 in blue sabots. I want to see if the increases draw the group tighter. I'm thinking yes but likely not by much. I won't be dinking with scope adjustments since I like where the gun is currently at so I'm not out anything by just going back to the 56 grains. With the heavier coat I'll, be good for 12 -15 rounds so I should be able to get a fair idea within that half a grain to see if things tighten up.
Beautiful morning here today. Bright sun, no wind and I'll be inside grinding and stuff summer sausage. lol