Mossberg Patriot Predator 6.5 PRC

Mossberg’s Patriot has carved out a nice niche as an accurate, good-looking bolt action that won’t break the bank. Its latest expansion includes the hot new 6.5 PRC, and it’s being chambered in the Predator version of the Patriot, which means its suppressor ready and comes in either flat dark earth stock/blued metal ($441) or Strata camo stock/Patriot brown Cerakote metal ($524) versions.

If you’re not familiar with the 6.5 PRC, it’s a long-range hunting cartridge with more oomph than the now-famous 6.5 Creedmoor but still fits in a short action. You can read our review of the cartridge here.

The heart of the Mossberg Patriot Predator is a twin-lug, push-feed action, and it feeds from a detachable four-round box magazine. The Predator version sports a fluted bolt with oversize handle.

One of the features that sets the Patriot action apart is the Lightning Bolt Action (LBA) trigger, one of the best bladed-style triggers out there. It’s adjustable from two to seven pounds, and every one I’ve tried has been excellent.

The fluted barrels on the Patriot Predator 6.5 PRC are 24 inches long with a standard contour, and they have a 1:8 twist. Muzzles are threaded 5/8x24 for addition of a suppressor, and they come with a thread protector.

The stocks are classic straight-comb models. The grip and fore-end feature stippling for a non-slip grip. A polymer block insert in front of the mag well acts as a bedding block.

I’ve had the opportunity to test a number of Patriots over the years, and I’ve yet to find one that didn’t shoot really well. So if you’re looking to stretch your distance and don’t want to commit a fortune to do it, the Mossberg Patriot Predator 6.5 PRC is well worth checking out.