The rifle has very little recoil, it weighs about 15 pounds with the scope. The barrel is not getting hot. It's 1.25 at the lug and .875 at the muzzel. It's fluted as well. I really think it just doesn't like the Hornaday ammo. I'm going to try this load. 140 grn VLD's,
42.5 grns of H4350, CCI...