- Joined
- Dec 7, 2016
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I ran Ma up to the daughter's this morning early so she could spend a few days during the daughter's birthday. I came home, and loaded up the Optima pistol and the Patriot and hit the road again for the range. When I arrived there was another person looking to set up but seemed unsure of what was proper etiquette. We chatted a bit as I explained the club rules, then started to set out the Patriot to shoot some slightly heavier IMR loads. 56.5 grains of 4198 to be exact, under a 225 grain Fury Star tip in a blue sabot.
The guy took interest in the gun right off and as I loaded, I explained it was smokeless powder and he was like... hey man that's dangerous in a smoker. I got him reassured then he and I both set off to punch paper, alternating shots between us. After 5 shots I was fairly well impressed and beginning to think I'll try the 57 grains of IMR4198 that Mountain Monkey seems to be impressed with but would have to come home and weight some charges up. I had one charge of 56'5 left and just got the gun charged when this fella asked about shooting the gun. I was happy with what the paper told me so I said "sure". Now, this guy was messing with a .264 Winnie. He seemed to handle that recoil well. One shot with the .45 Patriot. When he set the rifle back in the cradle of the rest and looked up at me, it wasn't the " WOW, does this thing kick" that got my attention, it was the 3/4" semi-circle gash that was just getting ready to spill.
I've seen bleeders and I have seen "bleeders" and I wasn't quite certain which category this dude fell in, but it was for certain he was bleeding. I helped him pack his goodies, then he left for the er. I gave him one of my tackle cards with my phone # on it and he said he'd call later after seeing the ER docs. He called just a while ago. 11 stitches to close that gaping crater. Wow. He wasn't upset at all but will miss a day or so of work. He was actually chuckling about how that "pretty rifle bit his ass", quote, unquote. We're going to meet for coffee Saturday. I just hope now that he doesn't hate me. lol
The guy took interest in the gun right off and as I loaded, I explained it was smokeless powder and he was like... hey man that's dangerous in a smoker. I got him reassured then he and I both set off to punch paper, alternating shots between us. After 5 shots I was fairly well impressed and beginning to think I'll try the 57 grains of IMR4198 that Mountain Monkey seems to be impressed with but would have to come home and weight some charges up. I had one charge of 56'5 left and just got the gun charged when this fella asked about shooting the gun. I was happy with what the paper told me so I said "sure". Now, this guy was messing with a .264 Winnie. He seemed to handle that recoil well. One shot with the .45 Patriot. When he set the rifle back in the cradle of the rest and looked up at me, it wasn't the " WOW, does this thing kick" that got my attention, it was the 3/4" semi-circle gash that was just getting ready to spill.
I've seen bleeders and I have seen "bleeders" and I wasn't quite certain which category this dude fell in, but it was for certain he was bleeding. I helped him pack his goodies, then he left for the er. I gave him one of my tackle cards with my phone # on it and he said he'd call later after seeing the ER docs. He called just a while ago. 11 stitches to close that gaping crater. Wow. He wasn't upset at all but will miss a day or so of work. He was actually chuckling about how that "pretty rifle bit his ass", quote, unquote. We're going to meet for coffee Saturday. I just hope now that he doesn't hate me. lol