When Mossberg rolled out the Patriot Predator rifle in 7mm PRC in 2023, it was not only one of the hottest new cartridges to be making waves in the hunting world, it was also one of the least expensive of that year’s crop of new hunting rifles. It still is.

Mossberg’s Patriot Predator is a familiar bolt-action rifle to this writer, and it was one of the earliest adopters for Hornady’s new 7mm PRC. When I was first introduced to the new chambering in this rifle, I took the Patriot Predator out to 1,000 yards on steel. I quickly put in an order for one and had it sent to my local gun shop as quickly as I could.

Designed to outperform existing 7mm cartridges in a standard long-action rifle, the 7mm PRC is a match-grade cartridge that delivers consistent velocity and repeatable accuracy.

The 7mm PRC is the perfect match for Mossberg’s purpose-built, suppressor-ready Patriot Predator platform. Two synthetic-stocked models are available with 24-inch barrel length and 1:8 twist rate to maximize the performance of the 7mm PRC cartridge.

The Patriot Predator bolt-action is based on Mossberg’s proven twin-lug push-feed machined-steel action. One of the most impressive attributes for this budget-grade rifle is the buttery smooth cycling. This rifle gets fed from a flush polymer magazine that holds three rounds.

The free-floating, carbon steel barrel is threaded 5/8-24 threads per inch for ease of adding a suppressor or muzzle brake, and that’s just what I did when it arrived. I mounted a Banish 30 suppressor from Silencer Central. This rig includes a protective thread cap for those wishing to hunt without a muzzle device. The muzzle features a 11-degree match crown. The rifle’s overall length is 44.25 inches, and its length of pull measures 13.75 inches. Another welcome feature is the rifle’s light weight, pulling the scale at 6.25 pounds before adding accessories.

For the addition of optics, the Patriot Predator is equipped with a receiver-mounted Picatinny rail. Patriot rifles feature Mossberg’s patented LBA (Lightning Bolt Action) user-adjustable trigger with a 2- to 7-pound range of adjustment for consistent shot placement. Rounding out this full-featured rifle is a spiral-fluted bolt with an oversized bolt handle.

Stock options include a Flat Dark Earth stock with matte blue metal finish and TrueTimber Strata camouflaged stock with complementing Patriot Brown Cerakote metal finish. The suggested price is $519 to $616 for the camo model.

Fine Tuning

To squeeze the most accuracy from this rig, I mounted a Steiner Predator 8 3-24x50mm scope. At 100 yards, this rifle has no problem putting five rounds into respectable groups. Shooting Hornady’s 180-grain Match loads, all groups averaged 1 1/8 MOA, with a couple of groups coming in at sub-MOA. Swapping over to 175-grain ELD-X factory fodder, the Mossberg punched paper with equal accuracy.

To the Hunt

The gun may have predator in its name but the utility of the rifle and the cartridge go well beyond mere dogs. Multiple mature whitetail bucks were hanging around one of my food plots waiting for receptive does to show up for an evening meal. My wife arrived home a little early from work one evening shortly after I set this rifle up, so I encouraged her to make a quick hunt.

I grabbed a Kopfjager tripod and the Mossberg and we checked the wind for a stealth approach. A south wind meant the best approach was to slip into the north edge of the field. Arriving just before sundown, we used a grown-up fence line for cover. No deer were within sight when we got into position, but we didn’t have long to wait.

A doe eased into a pocket on the western edge of the field about 150 yards distant. I adjusted the rifle in the Kopfjager to bring the doe into focus and let her take a look. While she was focusing on the doe and getting prepared to send the old nanny to the skinning pole, I caught more movement. Raising my binoculars and focusing on the eastern edge of the field I caught a nice buck raising his head to work an overhanging limb on a red cedar tree. “There’s a buck!” I whispered, and got an obligatory “where?” A slight hand signal helped her find the buck and she panned the rifle several degrees to the left to find the buck.

Planting the crosshairs on the buck’s shoulder, Jacqueline took the slack out of the trigger. At the shot, the buck dropped like he was hit by Thor’s hammer.

Parting Shot

I have a habit of hanging on to accurate rifles once I finish testing them, but my wife has already laid claim to this one. This Mossberg Patriot Predator should prove to be a dependable hunting rig for years to come. This rifle is so well contoured that it helps soak up recoil from the hefty 7mm PRC, making it a dream to shoot.

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