In the shotgun world, Mossberg is the king of the hill. Many don’t know that Mossberg also makes one hell of a series of rifles. They are some of the nicest long guns in the industry and, in many cases, quiet gems. One of their rifles especially caught my eye years ago. The MVP series has proven to be a serious performer in various calibers. One specific model came up on my radar recently, and I jumped at the chance to run it. It is the Mossberg MVP Patrol 300 Blackout.

Mossberg MVP Patrol 300 Blackout – Whisper Quiet Performer

First, the Mossberg MVP series has a patented design that makes it compatible with AR 15, AR 10, and M1A/M14 mags. This compatibility is a tip of the hat to the shooters that buy these guns. Mossberg knows nothing is more frustrating than a rifle company including a super-odd proprietary magazine with their guns. The fact that the MVP can run AR-style mags means you can get about 20 extra if needed without any challenges.  

The 300 Blackout model joins Mossberg’s other models in 5.56 /.223 and 7.62/.308. The MVP Patrol .300 BLK is designed to be a versatile, all-purpose platform and is a great choice at the range or in the field. It is one of those guns that fits a huge variety of situations. I like the addition of 300 BLK because this round delivers greater penetration and better terminal performance than the 5.56 mm NATO/.223 Rem. cartridge. The superior ballistics make this intermediate rifle cartridge effective for mid to large-sized games such as deer, hog, and black bear.

Solid Components

The .300 BLK model has a 16.25-inch medium bull, button-rifled, threaded barrel with an A2-style muzzle brake and a protective thread cap. I am a fan of this because my first thought about any gun chambered in 300BLK is suppression. Running a subsonic 300 BLK through a quality bolt gun produces a true Hollywood silencer sound. Yes, it goes pew. It is one of the quietest combos you can get. The stock is pillar-bedded, and there is an oversized bolt handle for quick cycling of the action. The trigger on the gun is much better than the price tag would lead you to believe.

Mossberg’s Lightning Bolt Action (LBA) trigger system is user-adjustable from 3 to 7 pounds. The trigger is solid with little to no play. And, because they know you will mount an optic, there is a factory-mounted Picatinny rail. Mossberg has included a front fiber optic and rear barrel-mounted, adjustable rifle sight for those who want to go old school and run iron sights. These sights are not just an afterthought to just say they did it. The sights are easy to use and quick to acquire.

Mossberg MVP Patrol 300 Blackout – Great Ballance

The gun is light, to begin with, but if you want to keep the package super light, you can ditch the optic and use iron sights. Stock-wise, the rifle has a textured, black synthetic stock with stippling on the pistol grip. It’s a simple design but fits the gun very well. The MVP line has become popular, and I am certain somebody is making an aftermarket stock if you want a little more bling. The exposed metalwork has a matte blue finish to protect it from the elements. Mossberg uses a fluted bolt to shave a little more weight off. The action was pretty smooth, and it will become even smoother with more use.

Wrapping it up are two sling swivel studs to mount a sling, obviously, or a bipod. The rifle I got came with one 10-round capacity magazine. The magazine is yet another item where Mossberg went above the call. The mag for this gun is marked as 300 Blackout—a special note here on this point. Be careful to separate any mags loaded with 300 BLK from your .223/5.56. The internet is replete with images of people who fed the wrong ammo onto their guns and experienced catastrophic issues. Stay safe and mark your magazines. This marking by Mossberg may be no big deal to some, but I find it reflects Mossberg and their attention to small things to make life easier for the shooter.

Running Silent

For part of the range session, I also decided to run the gun suppressed. My suppressor of choice for this session was the Dead Air Nomad-30. The can has 17-4 stainless steel and Grade 5 titanium. It only weighs 14 ounces, which was nice as I tried to keep the gun light. I mounted the Dead Air Xeno adapter and brake to the MVP. While the rifle out of the box was a little plain Jane, it took on a pretty sexy look with the addition of the optic and suppressor. Did that matter in the end performance-wise? No, but a sexy gun is a sexy gun.

Ammo-wise, I used three flavors. I used Nosler 125gr BT Match, Sellier & Bellot 124 gr FMJ, and Hornady 190gr Sub-X to see how quiet the gun could be. The first item on the checklist was to check accuracy. I mounted a bipod on the rifle for this section to give me a more stable brace. I also used a sand sock at the rear of the stock. This isn’t an “in-the-field” configuration, but I wanted to give the gun the best base possible to check accuracy. I took my time, and, in the end, the Nosler won the day with a one-inch group. In all honesty, I was pleasantly surprised by this performance.

Good Trigger

The trigger was nicer than you may expect. The trigger broke at two and a half pounds out of the box. It is a light rifle, yet I did not have to wrestle with much recoil or muzzle flip. The birdcage flash hider upfront served me well, but ultimately, I would replace it with a different device. I would leave the Dead Air Xeno brake on it to allow me a quick on-and-off with the Nomad-30. This gun loved being suppressed. 300 BLK is a great round to suppress, and the Dead Air Nomad-30, paired with the MVP, created a power couple. I realized about three magazines into it that I had a goofy grin. All you get of significance is the sound of the firing pin dropping forward and a subtle “pew” from the barrel. The Hornady Sub-X subsonic ammo is fantastic and shined on the range.

An Excellent Reputation

I am blessed to shoot many guns from many different companies. Over the years, I have been able to get time behind several of Mossberg’s rifles, and each time, I am impressed. The Mossberg MVP Patrol 300 Blackout keeps that streak alive and well. It is a lot of gun for the money. If you are heading out for a hunt or simply want an enjoyable gun for the range, this rifle needs to be on your list.

Performance

Ammunition                              Velocity         Best group    

Testing was three, five round groups shot from supported position.

Mossberg MVP Patrol Bolt-Action Rifle Series Specifications:

For more information, visit: https://www.mossberg.com/mvp-patrol-27707.html