When Mossberg rolled out the Patriot Predator rifle in 7mm PRC in 2023, it was not solely one of many hottest new cartridges to be making waves within the searching world, it was additionally one of many least costly of that yr’s crop of latest searching rifles. It nonetheless is.
Mossberg’s Patriot Predator is a well-known bolt-action rifle to this author, and it was one of many earliest adopters for Hornady’s new 7mm PRC. Once I was first launched to the brand new chambering on this rifle, I took the Patriot Predator out to 1,000 yards on metal. I rapidly put in an order for one and had it despatched to my native gun store as rapidly as I might.
Designed to outperform present 7mm cartridges in a regular long-action rifle, the 7mm PRC is a match-grade cartridge that delivers constant velocity and repeatable accuracy.
The 7mm PRC is the proper match for Mossberg’s purpose-built, suppressor-ready Patriot Predator platform. Two synthetic-stocked fashions can be found with 24-inch barrel size and 1:8 twist charge to maximise the efficiency of the 7mm PRC cartridge.
The Patriot Predator bolt-action relies on Mossberg’s confirmed twin-lug push-feed machined-steel motion. Some of the spectacular attributes for this budget-grade rifle is the buttery clean biking. This rifle will get fed from a flush polymer journal that holds three rounds.
The free-floating, carbon metal barrel is threaded 5/8-24 threads per inch for ease of including a suppressor or muzzle brake, and that’s simply what I did when it arrived. I mounted a Banish 30 suppressor from Silencer Central. This rig features a protecting thread cap for these wishing to hunt with no muzzle gadget. The muzzle incorporates a 11-degree match crown. The rifle’s total size is 44.25 inches, and its size of pull measures 13.75 inches. One other welcome function is the rifle’s mild weight, pulling the size at 6.25 kilos earlier than including equipment.
For the addition of optics, the Patriot Predator is provided with a receiver-mounted Picatinny rail. Patriot rifles function Mossberg’s patented LBA (Lightning Bolt Motion) user-adjustable set off with a 2- to 7-pound vary of adjustment for constant shot placement. Rounding out this full-featured rifle is a spiral-fluted bolt with an outsized bolt deal with.
Inventory choices embody a Flat Darkish Earth inventory with matte blue metallic end and TrueTimber Strata camouflaged inventory with complementing Patriot Brown Cerakote metallic end. The urged worth is $519 to $616 for the camo mannequin.
Positive Tuning
To squeeze essentially the most accuracy from this rig, I mounted a Steiner Predator 8 3-24x50mm scope. At 100 yards, this rifle has no drawback placing 5 rounds into respectable teams. Capturing Hornady’s 180-grain Match masses, all teams averaged 1 1/8 MOA, with a few teams coming in at sub-MOA. Swapping over to 175-grain ELD-X manufacturing facility fodder, the Mossberg punched paper with equal accuracy.
To the Hunt
The gun might have predator in its identify however the utility of the rifle and the cartridge go nicely past mere canine. A number of mature whitetail bucks have been hanging round one in all my meals plots ready for receptive does to indicate up for a night meal. My spouse arrived dwelling a bit early from work one night shortly after I set this rifle up, so I inspired her to make a fast hunt.
I grabbed a Kopfjager tripod and the Mossberg and we checked the wind for a stealth strategy. A south wind meant one of the best strategy was to slide into the north fringe of the sector. Arriving simply earlier than sunset, we used a grown-up fence line for canopy. No deer have been nearby after we acquired into place, however we didn’t have lengthy to attend.
A doe eased right into a pocket on the western fringe of the sector about 150 yards distant. I adjusted the rifle within the Kopfjager to convey the doe into focus and let her have a look. Whereas she was specializing in the doe and getting ready to ship the previous nanny to the skinning pole, I caught extra motion. Elevating my binoculars and specializing in the japanese fringe of the sector I caught a pleasant buck elevating his head to work an overhanging limb on a crimson cedar tree. “There’s a buck!” I whispered, and acquired an compulsory “the place?” A slight hand sign helped her discover the buck and she or he panned the rifle a number of levels to the left to seek out the buck.
Planting the crosshairs on the buck’s shoulder, Jacqueline took the slack out of the set off. On the shot, the buck dropped like he was hit by Thor’s hammer.
Parting Shot
I’ve a behavior of hanging on to correct rifles as soon as I end testing them, however my spouse has already laid declare to this one. This Mossberg Patriot Predator ought to show to be a reliable searching rig for years to return. This rifle is so nicely contoured that it helps take in recoil from the hefty 7mm PRC, making it a dream to shoot.
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