Patriot gains
Bruce Potts reviews the Mossberg Patriot Predator .308 Win, a rifle for the working man
Sometimes you just want a rifle to get the job done, be that for keepering, forestry or occasional stalking. Or perhaps you are someone who is not interested in the niceties that a more seasoned rifle shooter might look for. In both cases, price, reliability and accuracy are the primary concerns.
Mossberg is an American firearms manufacturer that dates back to 1919 and has always had the ethos of producing guns for working people – no airs and graces, just wellbuilt rifles. Simple is often better, especially when the price is so appealingly low that even with the addition of a moderator and scope/mounts, it is an affordable set-up.
The Patriot rifle range, introduced in 2015, offers budget-priced rifles, and this Predator model costs £555. Features include a darkearth coloured, moulded synthetic stock, a one-piece Picatinny rail, an overall matt blued durable finish, a fluted barrel and bolt. Also, a detachable magazine and the Lightning Bolt Action (LBA) trigger combine to make a practical 6.5lb stalking rifle. You can also order a walnut-stocked version, the Revere, for £925 or a Cerakoted camo model for £620.
Barrel and action
This rifle is made for work and as such has a slim-profiled barrel that is 22in in length. The muzzle, with a diameter of 0.615in, is flared to accept the 5/8 UNEF sound moderator thread. Weight is further reduced by the addition of fluting to the barrel, which also aids with cooling. However, repeated firing will heat the barrel quickly and ultimately affect group size.
The rifling twist rate is 1-in-10in, ideal for the test gun’s .308 Win calibre. The barrel can handle any bullet weight in this calibre, and its 22in length helps the ballistics without hampering the handling. I like the rifle’s barrel securing nut, which ensures consistent head spacing for accuracy and is better than on other rifles in this price range.