Affordable Long-Range Precision: Vortex’s New Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm and Mossberg 7mm PRC

Many hunters and long-range capturing lovers are wanting to discover the capabilities of the brand new 7mm PRC cartridge. Others are trying to find a flexible setup that may deal with each searching and precision capturing duties. The mix of Vortex’s New Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm scope mounted on a Mossberg Patriot Predator in 7mm PRC received’t disappoint in both software, and the perfect half is it supplies large worth for the cash. Let’s discover what makes this pairing so interesting for these seeking to stretch their capturing distances with out emptying their wallets.

Earlier than we get into the specifics of the rifle and scope, let me share a fast historical past of the 7mm PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge). Hornady launched it in late 2022 as a long-range powerhouse, designed to bridge the hole between the favored 6.5 Creedmoor and bigger magnum calibers. It shortly confirmed its stuff by providing spectacular ballistics, vitality retention, and wind-bucking skill at prolonged ranges. That, coupled with manageable recoil, has made it a profitable alternative for each long-range hunters and aggressive shooters.

The 7mm Remington Magnum has been a extremely praised searching caliber for many years, however the 7mm PRC takes issues a step additional with fashionable bullet designs and a case optimized for consistency. With the rising adoption of the 7mm PRC, there’s now an increasing array of manufacturing unit ammunition selections accessible to the typical hunter and shooter. In case you’re not a handloader, the 7mm PRC is unquestionably value contemplating for its versatility and efficiency potential.

Vortex Strike Eagle Scope

The brand new Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm gives a number of nice options, particularly contemplating its mid-range value level. In case you’re acquainted with earlier Strike Eagle fashions, one of many first stuff you’ll discover is the primary focal airplane (FFP) reticle design. This enables the reticle to take care of its proportions relative to the goal all through the whole zoom vary, an enormous profit for making fast holdovers and windage corrections at any magnification. There’s additionally a beneficiant 3.5 inches of eye aid, making it comfy to make use of even with the elevated recoil of the 7mm PRC. Up entrance, the 44mm goal lens strikes a pleasant steadiness between light-gathering skill and general weight at solely 26.6 ounces.

The Strike Eagle gives a powerful adjustment vary of 45 MRAD (154 MOA), an important function for long-range shooters seeking to dial in exact photographs at prolonged distances. This beneficiant adjustment vary, mixed with the primary focal airplane reticle, makes the Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm a flexible possibility for shooters who would possibly transition from nearer ranges out to 1,000 yards or past. The uncovered locking elevation turret gives tactile, audible clicks at .1 MIL per click on, permitting for exact changes within the subject, and a capped windage turret for searching use. The easy RevStop zero-reset function is especially helpful, permitting shooters to shortly return to their authentic zero after making elevation changes – a priceless asset when circumstances change quickly or when transferring between completely different capturing eventualities.

Glass High quality and Reticle

The opposite main improve within the New Strike Eagle is the improved glass high quality and lens coatings. This technique gives shiny, clear pictures even in low-light circumstances – essential for these prime searching hours at daybreak and nightfall. The EBR-7C reticle supplies a clear sight image with clearly outlined hash marks for holdovers and wind calls.

That’s all nice, however what actually makes this scope shine is its versatility. The vast 3-18x magnification vary lets you simply transition from nearer photographs to excessive distances, particularly vital for searching. I measured the turret monitoring on this scope and located it to be spot-on, clicking reliably in .1 MIL increments.

Sturdiness and Climate Resistance

Lengthy-range hunters and shooters demand optics that may deal with powerful circumstances. The New Strike Eagle is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum and is nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed for fogproof and waterproof efficiency. This rugged construct high quality ensures the scope can stand up to the pains of subject use with out dropping zero or readability.

Mossberg Patriot Predator

Pairing properly with the Vortex scope is the Mossberg Patriot Predator chambered in 7mm PRC. This rifle gives spectacular accuracy potential at a budget-friendly value. The 24-inch fluted barrel incorporates a 1:8 twist charge, excellent for stabilizing the heavy-for-caliber bullets the 7mm PRC likes to push. The model I examined was the upgraded model with a TrueTimber Strata camouflaged inventory with complementing Patriot Brown Cerakote metallic end.

One standout function is the user-adjustable LBA (Lightning Bolt Motion) set off. You possibly can simply fine-tune the pull weight from 2 to 7 kilos with out taking the motion out of the inventory. I measured the set off pull weight on this rifle out of the field at just below 3 kilos, crisp and clear with no noticeable creep.

The artificial inventory has been designed with long-range capturing in thoughts. It incorporates a raised comb for correct eye alignment with mounted optics and textured panels on the fore-end and pistol grip for a safe maintain in varied climate circumstances. The inventory felt like a lot nicer than you’ll anticipate on a such an inexpensive rifle. The fluted bolt was additionally extremely easy to cycle and included an outsized bolt deal with. Final, the Predator features a removable field journal, making it fast and straightforward to load and unload the rifle within the subject.

Vary Time

I took the Patriot Predator and Strike Eagle combo for a spread outing on a transparent, cool 50-degree day in October with gentle and variable winds. For ammo testing, I fired three completely different manufacturing unit 7mm PRC hundreds at 100 yards from a secure bulls bag up entrance and a rear bag. I fired five-shot teams and allowed the barrel to chill between teams. I added my Banish Backcountry suppressor to the rig to cut back recoil and noise from the testing, and it made the pretty light-weight 7 PRC rifle far more manageable and fulfilling to shoot. At 100 yards, this rifle has no downside placing 5 rounds into respectable teams. From testing the three manufacturing unit hundreds, all teams averaged 1 1/8 MOA, with a few teams coming in at sub-MOA. 

Hornady Precision Hunter

First, I examined Hornady’s Precision Hunter 175-grain ELD-X load that accompanied with the launch of their 7 PRC cartridge. This spherical produced the tightest group of the day at 0.75 inches. The 175-grain ELD-X match-grade bullet is a superb alternative for each long-range goal capturing and searching medium to massive sport.

Federal Terminal Ascent

Subsequent up was the Federal Premium Terminal Ascent 155-grain load, boasting a scorching factory-rated velocity of three,175 fps. It produced comparable outcomes to the Hornady ELD-X load, with teams hovering proper round 1 MOA. The lighter bullet weight would possibly surrender some wind resistance at excessive ranges however could possibly be a wonderful alternative for hunters seeking to maximize velocity.

Barnes VOR-TX Lengthy Vary

The ultimate load examined was Barnes’ new VOR-TX Lengthy Vary 160-grain ammo, which boasts a factory-rated velocity of three,025 fps. This ammunition is loaded with premium all-copper Barnes LRX bullets specifically designed not just for precision at lengthy vary however unequalled on-game effectiveness at each vary. This spherical impressed me with its efficiency, producing teams averaging just below 1 MOA. It must be an amazing all-around alternative for hunters who would possibly must stretch their photographs, however nonetheless need devastating on-game outcomes.

Lengthy-Vary Efficiency

After testing the masses at 100 yards, I stretched issues out to 1,000 yards utilizing the Hornady Precision Hunter load. The mix of the New Strike Eagle’s clear glass, exact turrets, and the 7mm PRC’s inherent accuracy and flat trajectory made it simple to constantly ring an 8-inch metal plate at 500 yards and bigger metal targets at 1,000 yards. The FFP reticle proved its value right here, permitting for fast holdover photographs with out touching the turrets once I simulated a faster-paced capturing state of affairs.

In case you’re in search of a succesful long-range searching and capturing setup that provides spectacular efficiency with out breaking the financial institution, the Vortex New Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm paired with the Mossberg Patriot Predator in 7mm PRC is a superb alternative. It’s correct, versatile, and has many options that you simply’ll admire whether or not you’re within the subject or on the vary. For extra data, go to vortexoptics.com and mossberg.com.

Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm Specs:

Magnification Vary: 3-18x Goal Lens Diameter: 44mm Eye Aid: 3.8 in. Subject of View: 39.3 – 6.7 ft @ 100 yards Tube Dimension: 34mm Reticle: EBR-7C (First Focal Aircraft) Parallax Setting: 10 yds. to infinity Size: 13.3 in. Weight: 26.6 oz. Elevation Adjustment Vary: 45 MRAD (154 MOA) Windage Adjustment Vary: 18 MRAD Turret Type: Uncovered, tactical-style elevation & capped windage Adjustment Commencement: .1 MIL per click on Waterproof/Fogproof: Sure, nitrogen purged

The place To Purchase

Mossberg Patriot Predator Specs:

Motion: Bolt-action Barrel Size: 24 in. Barrel Materials: Carbon metal, fluted Barrel End: Cerakote – Patriot Brown Twist Price: 1:8 LOP: 13.75 in. General Size: 44.25 in. Weight: 6.5 lbs. Inventory: Artificial, with textured grip panels End: Flat Darkish Earth Capability: 4+1 rounds Set off: Person-adjustable LBA (Lightning Bolt Motion) Set off Pull Weight: 2-7 lbs. (adjustable) Sights: None, drilled and tapped for scope mounts Security: Two-position security Journal: Removable field journal Bolt: Spiral fluted bolt physique with floating bolt head Receiver: Picatinny Rail Caliber: 7mm PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge)

The place To Purchase

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