Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical Bolt-Action Rifle Review

Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical: A Dedicated Precision Rifle That Goes The Distance

Mossberg introduced their Patriot line of bolt-action rifles in 2015. Since that time, the Patriot family has grown to include a wide variety of bolt guns suitable for a full range of applications. However, Mossberg never offered a dedicated precision rifle suitable for hunting and shooting at really long distances—until now.

This year the company introduced their Patriot LR Tactical, and it’s built from the ground up to be your next precision rifle.

At the heart of this rifle is Mossberg’s reliable Patriot push-feed action design for loading cartridges into the chamber, which utilizes dual opposed locking lugs, a plunger-type ejector in the bolt face, and a small clip-style extractor located on the outboard lug. The bolt is also spiral fluted, adding a nice aesthetic to the rifle. The action is mated with a medium bull profile steel barrel of either 22 or 24 inches. All barrels are threaded 5/8 x 24 for the easy addition of a muzzle brake or suppressor. Both the barrel and the receiver feature a matte blued finish.

Mossberg added an MDT target-style stock with an aluminum V-block. Three included shims allow for a .75-inch length of pull adjustment (13.5” to 14.25”), and there’s an adjustable cheekpiece that allows for 2.0-inches of comb height adjustment. M-Lok slots are arranged on the bottom, and sizes of the squared-off forearm, offering lots of space for bipods, rails, etc., but there are also front and rear sling swivels for traditionalists. The buttstock has an angled cutout at the base for added stability when the rifle is resting on a shooting bag.

The Patriot LR Tactical is available in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .308 Winchester. The rifles ship with metal detachable box magazines that hold either 10 rounds (.308, 6.5 Creedmoor) or 7 rounds (6.5 PRC). A 20 MOA top rail offers enough elevation for making very long shots and simplifies optic mounting. The LR Tactical features an oversized bolt knob, a two-position rocker-style safety, and a bladed LBA trigger. The LBA (Lightning Bolt Action) trigger is smooth and user adjustable from 2 to 7 pounds. My test rifle’s trigger broke at 3.25-pounds and was crisp and clean.

RANGE TESTING

The Patriot LR Tactical I tested was chambered in 6.5 PRC and I topped with a Leupold Mark 3HD 4.5-14×40 optic with Windplex reticle.

Using Hornady ELD Match, ELD-X Precision Hunter, and Gunwerks VLD ammunition, the rifle proved capable of shooting sub-MOA groups from the bench. All three loads hovered around an inch for three-shot groups; MOA accuracy was maintained out to 400 yards on steel. There were no issues during the feeding, firing, extraction, or ejection of cartridges.

The bolt was a bit sloppy in the raceway, but not excessively so, and didn’t affect accuracy. I wish that the adjustable cheekpiece was lighter and simpler to operate; at times, it tended to lock in position. Yet, the overall design was comfortable and—most importantly—allowed me to align my eye with the optic for precise shooting.

Like most tactical/target rifles, the Mossberg is a big gun. Overall length ranges from 42.25 to 44.25 inches depending upon barrel length, and overall weight ranges from 8.8 to 9.4 pounds. That added heft isn’t necessarily bad, though; when shooting for extended periods, recoil fatigue can set in and rob accuracy. A heavy rifle reduces recoil impact and allows the shooter to go for longer periods. The heavy barrel also heats less.

With such a long list of features designed for long-range shooting the Patriot LR tactical truly is an out-of-the-box, range-ready rifle. Simply add an optic, zero the rifle, and you’re ready to start ringing steel out to extended ranges. The Mossberg is less expensive than many of its rivals, even with the LR Tactical’s quality stock, shooter-friendly features, and thoughtful design.

Specifications: Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical Bolt-Action Rifle

ACTION: Bolt-Action Centerfire

CHAMBERING: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC (Tested ), .308 WIN

RECEIVER: Matte Blued Steel, Push-Feed Bolt

STOCK: MDT Target Stock With M-LOK

BARREL TYPE: Medium Bull Steel Barrel, Matte Blue, 1:8 Twist, Threaded 5/8 X 24

BARREL LENGTH: 24” (Tested)

MAGAZINE: 7-Round Metal AICS (Tested) or 10-Round Metal AICS

TRIGGER: Mossberg LBA Adjustable Bladed Trigger  3.25 lbs. (Tested)

SIGHTS: None. 20 MOA Top Rail

WEIGHT: 9 lbs., 7 oz.

LENGTH: 44.25”

ACCESSORIES: One Magazine, Gun Lock, Manual, LOP Spacers

MSRP: $1,085

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