Hunting has evolved into a hi-tech, sub-minute of angle precision glass experience. While many people still fill their tags with modest setups, there has been a growth in what I term precision hunting. This is when “Tactical” and hunting merge.

In today’s world, any hunting rifle off the shelf is expected to be minute of angle. Skills behind the gun have also grown exponentially. This blurring of lines between the tactical and hunting worlds gave me an idea. I was honored to be invited to a blacktail deer hunt with Mossberg. I had access to Mossberg’s entire line of exceptional hunting rifles for this hunt. The rifle I chose, however, was the Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical in 6.5 Creedmoor. This is their newest tactical rifle, and I was determined to show that it was equally good for hunting.

When Tactical and Hunting Merge

This Blacktail hunt was unlike any hunt I had ever experienced. The biggest reason is that it would take place in a California Vinyard. Steinbeck Vineyards in Paso Robles, California, is a beautiful place. They have been making wine for over 140 years. That is seven generations and all in one family. Our host was the ever-gracious Linda Powel of Mossberg. I believe Linda could read our minds and shared with us, “Don’t be fooled. This is harder hunting than you think”. And honestly, it was.

My guide for the hunt was a gentleman named Lucas Paugh. He was the epitome of my tactical / hunting concept. One of our hunters got a shot at a deer but did not have the confidence to take a second shot. Lucas quickly stepped in. Lucas’s gun was a custom rifle. A 7mm Rem Mag with an AG composite texture stock, 22″ proof research barrel, Defiance Machine Anti-X action, and a Leupold VX-6, 3-18×44 scope. The point was that if you are hunting, you can’t miss. This is especially true on major hunts that can cost upwards of $50,000. Lucas quickly dispatched the deer, and we soon moved to admire the handiwork.

The opportunity to prove my point occurred the morning of the second day. We had barely rolled out of the lodge area, and there he was.  A large buck is daring me to try and get him. Lucas and I quickly bailed from the truck and crept from section to section. The deer strolled between the vines. We moved to get ahead of him and began to set up. I grabbed the shooting sticks and balanced the rifle.

Making Critical Shots

He emerged and continued walking through the open space between rows. I had pressure on the trigger as he began to disappear into the next row of vines. Lucas urged me to wait now, but for some reason, the deer stopped. I could see my target area, but vines mostly obscured him. No sooner did Lucas ask, “Can you make that shot?” I broke the trigger and placed the round right through the heart and lungs. I quickly ran the bolt for a follow-up shot, but it wasn’t necessary. The Blacktail took two steps and fell over.

While we waited, I had time to appreciate the new Mossberg rifle. The Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical had performed exceptionally well and dropped the round exactly where I intended. These Patriot rifles were designed to achieve high levels of accuracy at extended distances in an adjustment-ready, customizable package. They use a custom MDT stock with aluminum V-Block bedding for improved accuracy and an M-LOK compatible forend. Other standard features include:

• A patented LBA adjustable trigger.
• A suppressor-ready threaded barrel with a removable cap.
• An 11-degree match crown.

It also has an oversized bolt handle, spiral fluted bolt, top-mount 20 MOA Picatinny rail/scope base, and a 7-round or 10-round MDT AICS-style magazine.

A Serious Rifle

Aesthetically, the gun is very good-looking. The stock is the most significant departure from previous patriot models. It is user-adjustable for the length of pull using three spacers (.75″ range), and the Comb/Cheek rest height is user-adjustable up to 2 inches. You simply loosen the tension knob, adjust the height to the desired position, and re-tighten the knob to lock it in place. Mossberg offers rifles of three calibers. .380 WIN, 6.5 Creedmoor, and the new 6.5 PRC cartridge.

The oversized bolt knob fit my hands well and made cycling the bolt very easy. The action was smooth and would undoubtedly improve over time. One aspect of the stock that I appreciated was the almost vertical nature of the grip. I find this to be more natural and made trigger manipulation much easier. Mossberg has once again proven that they are much more than a shotgun maker. The Patriot LR Tactical is a rifle that fits a variety of roles. Light enough to be a hunter, accurate enough to be a precision rifle, and fast enough to be used in competition.

On the flight home, I reviewed the event in my mind and was pleased. Ultimately, regardless of application, we want our rifles to be hyper-precise and reliable. Mossberg has never failed to deliver in this, and the Patriot LR Tactical did just what I had expected it to do.

For more information, visit: https://www.mossberg.com/