Gun Of The Week: Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical

Most folks associate Mossberg’s name with the iconic 500 and 590 pump-action shotguns, but it is important to note that, in more recent years, we’ve seen the company branching out from the scattergun and offering handguns and rifles. Since long-range shooting is one of the hottest trends in shooting sports today, we’re on the range to find out more about Mossberg’s contender. Watch the video below to see this latest long-range plinker from Mossberg in use on the range.

The Patriot LR Tactical comes as a two-lug, turn-bolt rifle that’s loaded with performance-adding features to better the user experience, especially when shooting at longer ranges. The first Patriot rifle, introduced in 2015, brought affordability and a trusted house name to the design of a dedicated hunting rifle. Now, with its latest models like the LR Tactical, Mossberg is aiming for the target-shooting crowd.

At first blush, it is hard not to notice the gun’s meaty barrel, a medium-bull taper that comes threaded and capped for use with suppressors or other muzzle devices. A 20-m.o.a. Picatinny rail comes standard on the Patriot LR Tactical, too—simply mount an optic and head to the range. You’ll also get all those standard Patriot features brand loyalists have come to love. There’s a detachable box magazine, adjustable trigger and spiral-fluted bolt with twin locking lugs, sliding plate extractor and plunger ejector. For this model, however, an enlarged bolt handle is equipped. A two-position safety, with forward-to-fire, is also standard.

With the Patriot LR Tactical, you’ll also get a newly designed stock from Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) that is host to many creature comforts. This latest design features a V-block bedding system to secure the barreled action. The barrel freely floats within a generously sized fore-end, which improves the gun’s accuracy potential. The stock is user-adjustable, too. Three length-of-pull spacers are supplied from Mossberg, and there’s an adjustable cheekpiece—regardless of optic configuration and shooter type, users should find comfort and versatility in this system.

At this point, Mossberg is offering its Patriot LR Tactical in three short-action chamberings; the seminal .308 Winchester, 6.5 mm Creedmoor and the latest hot-rod of the group, 6.5 PRC. The latter will come with a 24” barrel while the former two receive the company’s 22” barrels. MDT AICS-pattern magazines are included with 10 round capacities, sans the 6.5 PRC; given this cartridge’s case diameter, capacity is reduced to seven rounds, plus one in the chamber. On the range, our testers found Mossberg’s long-distance-worthy Patriot performed admirably. Our testers took a particular liking to the MDT stock, too. Not only does it afford user-adjustability throughout, the various M-Lok slots and sling points are handy additions.

Only time will tell if Mossberg decides to include more cartridge options in this feature-rich long-range rifle. But for now, there isn’t much that 6.5 PRC, 6.5 mm Creedmoor and the trusty ol’ .308 can’t conquer.

Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical Specifications

Manufacturer: O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.

Action Type: bolt-action, centerfire, repeating rifle

Chambering: 6.5 mm PRC

Receiver: 4140 steel

Barrel: 24" 4140 steel

Stock: synthetic, MDT; flat dark earth

Sights: none; Picatinny rail

Magazine: seven-round detachable box

Trigger: single-stage, adjustable; 2-lb., 14-oz. pull

Overall Length: 43.25"

Weight: 9 lbs., 6.4 ozs.

MSRP: $1,085