Mossberg Patriot 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Action Rifle, 22in Fluted Barrel

Description

There is a reason the Patriot keeps showing up in deer camps all over the country. Mossberg took the features people care about on a hunting rifle, a good trigger, a smooth action, a barrel that shoots, and left off the stuff that just adds cost. This one is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, a flat-shooting, soft-recoiling cartridge that has earned its reputation on whitetail, antelope, and steel targets way out past where most of us have any business shooting.

What Makes This Mossberg Patriot Worth a Look

The 22 inch fluted barrel is button rifled with a 1:8 twist, which stabilizes the 120 to 143 grain bullets the Creedmoor does its best work with. A recessed crown protects the rifling from dings, and the fluting trims weight up front so the rifle balances nicely for offhand shots. The whole package comes in around 6.5 pounds, light enough to carry all day without the barrel feeling whippy. The spiral-fluted bolt with its knurled handle is more than just good looks too. It cycles smooth and gives your hand real purchase when you need a quick follow-up, even wearing gloves.

A Trigger You Can Set Up Your Way

Mossberg's LBA trigger is the sleeper feature here. It is user adjustable from 2 to 7 pounds, so you can run it light and crisp for the bench or a bit heavier for cold-weather hunts with gloved hands. Most rifles in this class make you live with whatever the factory sends. This one lets you decide.

Ready for Glass Out of the Box

There are no iron sights on this model, and that is by design. Weaver-style bases come factory installed, so all you need is a set of rings and your scope of choice. Add in the black synthetic stock that shrugs off rain and rough truck rides, a matte blue finish that keeps glare down in the field, and a detachable box magazine for easy loading and unloading, and you have a dependable, no-drama deer rifle that leaves plenty in the budget for good glass and ammo.