Mossberg Patriot Predator SF Rifle Evaluation

The Mossberg Patriot has all the time been a really reasonably priced and dependable bolt-action rifle, and I’ve completed a whole lot of searching with it in its varied types. Actually, I took one of many first Patriot rifles to Africa in 2014. Since then, I’ve hunted throughout america and in Mexico and Canada with a wide range of Patriot rifles. At the moment, Mossberg lists seven variations of the Patriot and can quickly be including an eighth—the Patriot Predator SF (Suppressor Pleasant). Due to the rising reputation of suppressors for searching, the present sizzling pattern in rifle manufacturing is shorter-barreled rifles. Most Mossberg Patriots have threaded muzzles already, however moreover this new rifle, the one Patriot with a barrel shorter than 20 inches is a Predator chambered for 450 Bushmaster. This new rifle presents a brief suppressor-friendly barrel, and it’s chambered for plenty of standard big-game cartridges.

Mossberg Patriot Predator SF Specs

• Size: 36.75 inches
• Weight: 6.34 kilos
• Barrel: 16.25 inches, threaded at 5/8×24 w/ thread protector
• Motion: Bolt motion
• Set off: 2.25 kilos (as examined)
• Capability: 5+1 (removable journal)
• End: Blued metal
• Inventory: Black artificial
• Accessible Chamberings: 22-250 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 308 Winchester (examined), 300 Winchester Magnum, and 450 Bushmaster.
• Worth: $536.00

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Mossberg Patriot Predator SF Overview

This shorter-barreled Patriot has a threaded, standard-contour, non-fluted barrel and barrel size is cartridge dependent. In 308 Winchester, which is what my take a look at rifle was chambered for, the rifle comes with a 16.25-inch barrel. The opposite chamberings supplied are 22-250 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 450 Bushmaster, 6.5 PRC, 300 Winchester Magnum, and 7mm PRC, and people rifles could have an 18-inch barrel. Mossberg threads the barrels on Patriot rifles into the receiver, and when the headspace is about, they lock the barrel in place with a barrel nut. The rifle will ship with a 15-slot Picatinny scope rail already put in, and Mossberg’s Lightning Bolt Motion (LBA) set off, which is person adjustable from 2 to 7 kilos, might be normal.

The Patriot has a two-lug, push-feed bolt with a 90-degree throw, and the bolt physique has spiral fluting round its circumference. The LBA set off breaks clear and crisp, however the security doesn’t lock the bolt deal with down if you place it on “secure.” The inventory on this rifle is identical as different Patriot Predator rifles and is a straightforward artificial inventory with impressed textured areas on the grip and forend. It’s fitted with a thick and gentle rubber butt pad and two sling swivel studs, and the set off guard is molded into the inventory. Like all Patriot rifles, this latest model feeds from a removable journal, and the magazines Mossberg makes use of for the Patriot are one in all its greatest options. They’re made from polymer, solely weigh 2.3 ounces, and are launched from the inventory with a recessed lever simply ahead of the journal. The journal for the 308 Winchester holds 5 rounds, permitting a area prepared 5+1 capability. Capability varies with different chamberings.

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Mossberg Patriot Predator SF Taking pictures Outcomes

My in depth expertise with Mossberg Patriot rifles had me anticipating a bit higher precision than what this rifle delivered. Through the years, I’ve evaluated multiple Patriot rifle that would normally flip in sub-MOA five-shot teams at 100 yards. This was not a kind of rifles. General, it averaged 1.48 inches. That’s nonetheless not dangerous, particularly contemplating the Leigh Protection load averaged proper at an inch, and that you would be able to choose this rifle up for lower than $500. Nevertheless it does illustrate two issues. The primary is that very often, less-expensive rifles are probably the most finicky in terms of ammunition. The second is that if you solely take a look at one rifle of a selected mannequin, you’ll be able to by no means be sure whether or not you’re testing a greatest, consultant, or worst instance. Primarily based on my expertise, my guess is that almost all Patriot Predator SF rifles will shoot no less than a little bit higher than my take a look at rifle did.

From an operation standpoint, the rifle functioned completely. The journal was straightforward to load, the motion fed from the journal easily, and extraction and ejection have been flawless. Nonetheless, if you simply shorten a rifle’s barrel, it might turn out to be unbalanced, and and not using a suppressorm this Patriot was a tad butt-heavy. That made the rifle deal with properly and are available to the shoulder quick, but it surely was a tad troublesome to carry on track. With a 7.8-ounce Silencer Central Banish Backcountry suppressor hooked up, the rifle was only a tad muzzle heavy, balancing a few half-inch in entrance of the entrance guard screw. This slight muzzle heaviness labored very properly for off-hand capturing; ringing 8-inch metal plates off-hand at 100 yards was not an issue, and the rifle carried out properly on the transferring deer goal. Mossberg designed this rifle to be suppressed and that’s how many of the capturing was completed.

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Remaining Ideas of the Patriot Predator SF

Execs

• Suppressor Pleasant
• Compact
• Cheap

Cons

Within the curiosity of full disclosure, this rifle has a again story that I’m concerned in. Final 12 months, I organized an African safari for seven hunters who’d by no means been to Africa, and I requested Mossberg to offer a particular, shorter-barrel, extra suppressor-friendly model of their Patriot Predator for the safari and the pre-safari coaching at Gunsite Academy. I additionally advised Mossberg provide this rifle as a cataloged merchandise. I’m glad to report they’ve added it to their Predator lineup. It’s cool to have influenced a product and be concerned in early testing. Jus to be clear, I haven’t and gained’t obtain any compensation for my involvement.

However that involvement did give me some distinctive perception that’s usually not gained throughout an everyday rifle overview. The coaching at Gunsite and the safari supplied some nice field-performance data. I helped with the coaching and took the time to hunt with each hunter in Africa, the place practically 30 head of sport was taken. Some pictures have been very shut and fast, whereas others have been at ranges out to round 300 yards or so. Everybody was impressed with how properly the rifles dealt with with a suppressor hooked up, and the rifle’s brief, suppressed size was good when getting out and in of the searching vans.

Primarily based on the efficiency of the take a look at rifle, you’ll not be driving any tacks and will not shoot any brag-worthy teams. However you’ll additionally not break your pockets when you purchase one. That is the least costly and probably the most suppressor-friendly rifles we’ve evaluated all 12 months.

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