Picked up a new Mossberg Patriot in 6.5 PRC. I know its and entry level economy rifle but I couldn't pass up the price. The barrel looks pretty good and the trigger isn't to bad, the "bedding tray" and stock leave a lot to be desired but its light and fits me. Anyone else shooting one of these? YT is a mixed bag of reviews.
Mossberg Patriot 6.5 PRC Who's got one?
- Thread starter Glockster
- Start date
Have a 4x4 which is basically the same thing, metal finish is quite good, bolt is a very sloppy fit, and as you point out I'm not sure how that drop in recoil block thing is going to affect accuracy. I still haven't shot it yet...on the fence to sell it, if I keep it I would bed that block to the stock, then bed the action to the block.
Curious if they make them on the long or short action?
I picked up a Howa in 6.5prc for $550 new all in from Bullseye last year, it came on a long action which I was happy about, it's a pretty long OAL cartridge for a short action.
Curious if they make them on the long or short action?
I picked up a Howa in 6.5prc for $550 new all in from Bullseye last year, it came on a long action which I was happy about, it's a pretty long OAL cartridge for a short action.
Cool idea, got an extra grand you want to spot me?
Sorry, I just read the title... thought you were looking for reviews BEFORE buying... just noticed that you already bought one... why don't you take it to the range a few times (when they open) and write up a review.
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Those Mossberg rifles are designed as an entry-level firearm, and that can easily
be seen by the esthetics. They are not particularly attractive, IMHO.
However, functionally, they seem to work. A friend of mine has a 4x4 in 7-08 Rem.
We developed a 140 Accubond load that shoots sub-moa consistently. He's happy
FWIW, the 140 Partition shot 1.2 moa, so still decent hunting accuracy.
He will be on a moose hunt with me this fall. Dave.
be seen by the esthetics. They are not particularly attractive, IMHO.
However, functionally, they seem to work. A friend of mine has a 4x4 in 7-08 Rem.
We developed a 140 Accubond load that shoots sub-moa consistently. He's happy
FWIW, the 140 Partition shot 1.2 moa, so still decent hunting accuracy.
He will be on a moose hunt with me this fall. Dave.
Wild_Thing
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- In the thick of it!
Interesting calibre for that level of a rifle. But it is all good. Engoy!
The PRC is a nice shooting round, don't sweat the Patriot, tighten the bolts down good and go try it, may be just fine.
I should probably go shoot my 4x4 in 7mm mag and see how it does before I sell it after reading this thread, may surprise me, who knows. It's the marine coat version, synthétique stock, was $300 to my door new on clearance, may be a real ugly weather ass kicker, and I'd regret not knowing before I sold it. The marine coat is supposed to be pretty solid weather proofing, nickle plated then guncoated, hard to make that rust 8 would think.
I should probably go shoot my 4x4 in 7mm mag and see how it does before I sell it after reading this thread, may surprise me, who knows. It's the marine coat version, synthétique stock, was $300 to my door new on clearance, may be a real ugly weather ass kicker, and I'd regret not knowing before I sold it. The marine coat is supposed to be pretty solid weather proofing, nickle plated then guncoated, hard to make that rust 8 would think.
ALBERTA BOY
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Not the calibur but I have a patriot in cerakote for the kids to use hunting. It was just over $400 at P&D which is a great price for a Cerakoted rifle.
The design is quite good. The magazine is drawn in and snaps into that bedding platform almost as if by magic.
The design does use some of the shortcuts to make it affordable like a floating bolt head, barrel nut, multi piece bolt, etc.
It does do things "correctly" in many areas though. I believe the receiver has a flat bottom (will have to double check) and although the recoil lug is sandwiched, at least it's a real recoil lug. That sandwiched bedding block/magazine well seems to work remarkably well.
Although the bolt is multi pieces, at least it's designed for easy field stripping if your firing pin gets light strikes in cold weather. Simply twist off the rear of the bold like a M70 or Howa rifle and the entire bolt comes apart for easy maintenance. (be careful to hold the retaining rod which secures the bolt head). That's much more than can be said for a savage or tikka or Ruger American.
It does have a cheap ball/detent extractor like the other cheap rifles but, hey, what do you expect at the price point.
The trigger is okay - good for the price point. In my sample there is some creep but it broke at 3# from the box and 2.5# with a minor and easy adjustment. The creep is only noticable from the bench. This is a hunting rifle after all. It's alright. It can be upgraded later if you prefer. It's better than the savage or Ruger American trigger, IMO.
All in all, it's an alright rifle for someone starting out on a budget or for kids going on their first few hunts. Generally, I prefer to spend just a bit more for the excellent Howa/vanguard design with its solid based receiver with integrated recoil lug, no barrel nut, superior creep free trigger, one piece bolt, etc. Or better yet, spend a bit more still for a model 70. That said, for the cost, it's probably the best budget rifle. Mine shoots small groups and is reliable.
The design is quite good. The magazine is drawn in and snaps into that bedding platform almost as if by magic.
The design does use some of the shortcuts to make it affordable like a floating bolt head, barrel nut, multi piece bolt, etc.
It does do things "correctly" in many areas though. I believe the receiver has a flat bottom (will have to double check) and although the recoil lug is sandwiched, at least it's a real recoil lug. That sandwiched bedding block/magazine well seems to work remarkably well.
Although the bolt is multi pieces, at least it's designed for easy field stripping if your firing pin gets light strikes in cold weather. Simply twist off the rear of the bold like a M70 or Howa rifle and the entire bolt comes apart for easy maintenance. (be careful to hold the retaining rod which secures the bolt head). That's much more than can be said for a savage or tikka or Ruger American.
It does have a cheap ball/detent extractor like the other cheap rifles but, hey, what do you expect at the price point.
The trigger is okay - good for the price point. In my sample there is some creep but it broke at 3# from the box and 2.5# with a minor and easy adjustment. The creep is only noticable from the bench. This is a hunting rifle after all. It's alright. It can be upgraded later if you prefer. It's better than the savage or Ruger American trigger, IMO.
All in all, it's an alright rifle for someone starting out on a budget or for kids going on their first few hunts. Generally, I prefer to spend just a bit more for the excellent Howa/vanguard design with its solid based receiver with integrated recoil lug, no barrel nut, superior creep free trigger, one piece bolt, etc. Or better yet, spend a bit more still for a model 70. That said, for the cost, it's probably the best budget rifle. Mine shoots small groups and is reliable.
Soon as I get home from work I'll head out to the range for a few shots, only been able to find two boxes of shells so it won't be much. Trouble finding powder as well for handloads, have some Reloader 25 which I'll try with some 140's. Was a spur of the moment purchase and I'm kinda wishing I would have gone in another direction.
ALBERTA BOY
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
How did it turn out?
My Mossberg Patriot experience is small, but the 6.5 Creedmoor I developed handloads for a friend shot very well.
Here's a target from a trajectory test with the Leupold LR Duplex reticle out to 400 yards
That's 0.98moa @ 100y, 0.8moa @ 200y, 0.65moa @ 300y, and one shot at 400y that landed 0.5moa above point of aim with the tip of the heavy post
Here's a target from a trajectory test with the Leupold LR Duplex reticle out to 400 yards
That's 0.98moa @ 100y, 0.8moa @ 200y, 0.65moa @ 300y, and one shot at 400y that landed 0.5moa above point of aim with the tip of the heavy post
A cheap, junk, entry-level, garbage, flimsy, and whatever else have they been called, $400 rifle can shoot a tad over two inches group at three hundred yards? 
As you know, I am a blued-steel and walnut classic fudd, but was also quite surprised to discover how well they shoot.
Now, let's see how well they last. I expect we might be somewhat surprised in this regard as well. There are still an awful lot of $99 Rem 788 rifles out hunting.
Ted
As you know, I am a blued-steel and walnut classic fudd, but was also quite surprised to discover how well they shoot.
Now, let's see how well they last. I expect we might be somewhat surprised in this regard as well. There are still an awful lot of $99 Rem 788 rifles out hunting.
Ted
No pics, but out of the box with a 4-12 Vortex:
Hornady 147gr ELDX Match Factory, three 3 shot groups, best group 2.25", worst group 3.85"
Hornady 143gr. ELD Hunter Factory, three 3 shot groups best group 1.75", worst group 2.00"
Nosler 140gr Ballistic Tip Factory, three 3 shot groups best 1.5", worst group 2.00"
Best hand load, 58.0 grains Reloader 25, 140gr Nosler Accubond 1.25"
Not mind blowing accuracy for sure.
Virtually impossible to find powder or factory ammo so this is a very small snapshot of this rifle. I've cleaned up the trigger, stiffened the forend and bedded the action and have a little Reloader 25 left so I'll try some more hand loads at the end of the month.
Hornady 147gr ELDX Match Factory, three 3 shot groups, best group 2.25", worst group 3.85"
Hornady 143gr. ELD Hunter Factory, three 3 shot groups best group 1.75", worst group 2.00"
Nosler 140gr Ballistic Tip Factory, three 3 shot groups best 1.5", worst group 2.00"
Best hand load, 58.0 grains Reloader 25, 140gr Nosler Accubond 1.25"
Not mind blowing accuracy for sure.
Virtually impossible to find powder or factory ammo so this is a very small snapshot of this rifle. I've cleaned up the trigger, stiffened the forend and bedded the action and have a little Reloader 25 left so I'll try some more hand loads at the end of the month.
