Short Mossberg Patriot .243 review

[Jessie]

I finally was able to shoot my new Patriot.
Initially at 25 yds. With Win. Power point 100 gr. to get on paper and then at 100.
Field size groups ( 3/4") at 25. Not impressive yet. Shot 5 to zero 1" high @ 25yds.
Started at 100yds. and it was "grouping" @ 6" to 8" !!
What in the world?
Shot 3 more and results were similar.
Checked all screws, etc. and all was good.
After about 5 min. I tried again with a 3 shot string. Now it was 3" and 2:00/ 3" from the bull.
I finally figured out that my particular barrel, at least, is very sensitive to heat. After 3 or 4 regularly spaced shots ( 10 secs. each ) it would start spreading.
That's ok for a hunting rifle, but I'm going to run the list of makers and 90-115g bullets until I find one that's a little tighter.
That may be the best and it's a matter of you get what you pay for.
Won't be the first time, but so far it will just work for 200 yd whitetails.

 

[vonn]

For hunting use I zero with a cold barrel only. The first shot is all that will matter when hunting in most cases and will be cold barrel shots. I even check my zero when hunting weather is colder than when I zeroed,here in Texas that can be 70+degrees and make a difference. I also try as many loads as I can because in my rifles I have found big differences in what a particular rifle likes. Good luck hunting.