Mossberg Patriot LR tactical review: Stretching your dollar long

The Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical is affordable enough to suit any marksman’s financial plan. It also offers excellent accuracy. Take a cold shower and tear up hundred-dollar bills. For long-range shooting, something might be similar. You might be able to rip up fifties and have a buddy hit you in the shoulder. The endorphins and bragging rights of precision-shooting and boat shooters are well worth the discomfort. For the latter, marksmen are more likely than Grants to desecrate legal tender when it comes down to long-range shooting. The Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical is a precision rifle that’s designed for the everyday man. Its MSRP is $1,085. The chassis system was tested at Arizona’s Gunsite last fall and it seemed to be able to achieve 6.5 PRC. The tubular action, which was released a little over a decade ago, is the foundation of Mossberg’s affordable hunting rifle line. It has done well. It’s also capable of long-range work, according to the LR Tactical. It is a push-feed system with a two-lug bolt that boasts an extra-large tactical-style handle. The bolt comes with a traditional Sako-style extractor and a plunger ejector. Both worked flawlessly on the 6.5 PRC version I shot. The bolt flung spent brass like nobody cares, but not so obliquely that it banged the Crimson Trace Hardline 4–16x42mm SFP scope with Wheeler aluminum rings mounted on its 0 MOA Picatinny Rail. Mossberg also spoke of replacing the low-rider model with a 20 MOA model. This is a nice touch. The bolt itself is not monolithic. It is made up of three parts–bolt head and body, and handle. This facet adds some play to the operation, although not enough for it to be a problem. The system is rock-steady in all areas, with the head moving smoothly down the raceway for lockup. Mossberg also mates a medium bull barrel of 24 inches in the 6.5 PRC model to the paddlerelease. The contour of the 6.5 Creedmoor chamber and.308 Winchester chambers is the same, however the fire tube is shortened to 22 inches. All rifles come equipped with a threaded (5/8”-24 TPI) muzzle and a target crown. This makes them ready for a brake or comp, as well as a suppressor. Mossberg also includes a knurled caps to protect the threads. The LBA trigger on the Patriot LR Tactical makes it the best-selling rifle. While adjustable triggers are as common as field corn, Mossberg’s is a rare find. Its LBA trigger was tuned to a 2.5-pound break using a Lyman Digital Trigger Pull Gage. The trigger broke like glass, thin ice, or whatever analogy you choose. It didn’t even show any creep. The switch’s skeletonized trigger tip is a great addition. It provides a tactile reference point for finger positions. The LR Tactical is built around Mossberg’s Patriot action, the staple of its hunting line. It rests on a solid foundation. It also features some nice tweaks such as the large tactical bolt handled and fluted bolt.MDT in The MixTo have a chassis rifle, you need a chassis. Mossberg enlisted the help of a well-known player to build the precision stick that houses the Patriot system. Mossberg enlisted the help of a well-known player to provide the precision stick that houses the Patriot system–MDT. The platform has its good points and bad points, but it’s an entry-level precision rifle that performs well under Arizona sun. The muzzle cap is not what you want. A brake would have been appreciated in this 6.5 PRC version. But, the solid bedding system is the most important. The LR Tactical’s chassis features aluminum V-block bedding. This creates a solid mating surface across the entire Patriot action. This design is essential for long-range systems as it eliminates barrel shift due to recoil. Even though the chassis layout is a bit traditional, it’s still very ergonomic. The grip is generous and has a nice palm swelling that fills the hand without compromising purchase. The buttstock is well-suited for the shoulder pocket and fully adjustable. The pull length can be adjusted by using spacers that add 0.75 inches per pop. The cheek rest has 2 inches of play and can be adjusted by using spacers that add 0.75 inch per pop. It’s a nice package, but it has a few flaws. Although it was not a “thumper”, the recoil was sufficient to make it impossible to track the bullet to its target. This is a simple problem that can be solved with weighting systems. However, shooters should understand that it will require additional investment. It is not a deal breaker but it is something to be aware of and maybe logical with what Mossberg created–more details in a bit. After three shots to check where it was printing at zeroing in, it basically stayed MOA thereafter. My third shot after linking two failed to make the three-leafed clover at 100 meters. But that’s purely operator error. We went to Gunsite’s long-range range to check the rifle’s legs after dialing the rifles in Crimson Trace. We shot from prone using Magpul MOE bipods. We covered 400-600 yards on steel targets. After getting to know the LR Tactical, we took a series of 15 shots at the ranges. There was an intermittent north-to–south wind, so I hit each target on my spotter’s call. The session’s last trigger squeeze was probably the most satisfying, at least for the Mossberg folks watching over the group of gun hackers. Each writer took a 600-yard shot, and each connected. It was quite an impressive finish. The only disappointment was not being able to push the rifle further. Although he missed a mythical cloverleaf at 100 yards on his first shots, he was more than satisfied with the grouping on 1/4-MOA grid. Although it is not an entry-level PRS rifle, it could certainly fill this role for the pennywise. It has the trappings of a precision hunter but it’s not exactly that. This androgyny may be what Mossberg created. The rifle can fill almost any niche that requires jacked lead to be delivered precisely over long distances. It is a master of all trades, which makes it ideal for those who want to try their hand at long-range shooting. With a few tweaks, the LR Tactical can excel anywhere, from benchrest and prairie hunt. Add a sling to the gun and it will be able to place on the vitals a deer or an elk at a load (and shooter)’s) ethical range. This gun is a bargain compared to other precision systems, and offers a wide range of entry points for new long-range shooters. It also has enough ammunition for what is sure to be a large ammo bill. The LR Tactical helps to lessen the thump on your pocket. Download your Storm Tactical printable target pack62 printable MOA targets with DOT drills – Rifle range in YARDSThis amazing target pack is from Storm Tactical and contains 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun range usage. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. This is a great option for long-range shooting. Enter your email address below.