Mossberg Patriot Carbine Rifle Review: Affordable Performance

The Mossberg name is synonymous with firearms that are both affordable and reliable–two descriptors that don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Their Patriot line proves you don’t have to spend a fortune for a hunting rifle. In fact, you can buy a Patriot for less than you’d pay for most polymer framed pistols.

The bolt-action Patriot is available in seven chamberings. Each is suppressor and optics ready, with a user-adjustable trigger and oversized bolt handle. Most are available with either a 22-inch or a 24-inch barrel.

While these barrel lengths are common for hunting rifles, the popularity of suppressors has many hunters seeking shorter-barreled options. If you’re one of them, Mossberg’s new Patriot Carbine may be just what you’ve been looking for. The line is available with 16 ¼-, 18- and 20-inch barrels. Available chamberings range from .22-250 Rem. to 7mm PRC.

The .308 chambered version I tested is 37 inches long, with a 16 ¼-inch barrel, and a 13 ¾-inch length of pull. At just 6.2 pounds sans scope, suppressor and sling, the Patriot Carbine is handy. Well suited for long stalks, it’s comfortable to carry whether in hand or slung over the shoulder.

Comfortable to Carry

The prototype Patriot Carbine I tested had a synthetic FDE stock, but the production models feature black synthetic stocks. Mild texturing on the sides of the forend and on the grip provide traction to keep your hands from slipping due to sweat or inclement weather. It’s fitted with a matte blue free-floating carbon steel barrel with an 11-degree target crown. The suppressor-ready barrel is 5/8-24 threaded and comes with a protective thread cap.

Like a quality barrel, a hunting rifle needs a good trigger. The Patriot Carbine’s LBA (Lighting Bolt Action) trigger is light and clean breaking. When the trigger blade safety is flush with the face of the trigger, it takes just a bit of pressure to break the shot. Without adjustment, the trigger pull measured 3 pounds, 6 ounces according to my Lyman digital trigger pull gauge. If you’re a tinkerer, you can adjust the trigger pull weight from 2-7 pounds with the turn of a screw on the face of the trigger.

A 15-slot Picatinny rail atop the receiver facilitates the mounting of a lightweight scope. After all, a heavy scope defeats the purpose of choosing a lightweight rifle. As I would soon discover, the Patriot Carbine, topped with a Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40 scope, and capped with Silencer Central’s Banish Backcountry suppressor, was an effective combination.

Like the original Patriot, the Patriot Carbine employs a twin-lug bolt and push-feed machined steel action. The fluted bolt features an oversized bolt handle, making it easy to cycle the action, even with gloved hands. The 90° throw bolt operates smoothly, allowing you to work the bolt without lifting your head from the scope. This is a tremendous advantage when hunting, as immediate follow-up shots may be required. The safety lever is located behind the bolt handle. Pushing forward exposes a red dot to indicate the safety has been deactivated. To engage the safety, pull the lever back. The bolt can cycle even with the safety engaged.

Training Day

My introduction to the Patriot Carbine came during a three-day Safari Prep course hosted by the prestigious Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona. The course was designed to familiarize me and several other first-time African hunters with the rifle prior to our South African plains game safari. The course focused on shooting from various field positions, shooting off sticks and working with a professional hunter (PH).

The Patriot Carbine’s stock is equipped with swivel sling mounts on the forend and butt stock. I removed the front sling mount to attach a Spartan Precision Classic Rifle Adapter. The adapter, which has its own sling mount, is magnetized to securely hold a Spartan Precision bipod in place. This enables you to quickly attach and detach bipods as needed.

I attached a Galco RifleMann Sling to the Patriot Carbine. This versatile sling was designed by my friend, Richard Mann, who’s knowledge and passion for African hunting would prove invaluable to me and my fellow hunters. With the extra stability provided by the taut sling, I was able to deliver 100-yard hits on a metal popper while standing, using only my dominant hand.

I was told the animals on my list, which included blesbok, gemsbok, impala and warthog, would likely present themselves at distances from 25-250 yards. As such, I zeroed the Patriot Carbine at 200 yards. After three days with the rifle under the tutelage of Gunsite’s instructor cadre, I felt I was as ready as I’d ever be for South Africa. At the completion of the Safari Prep course, my rifle and I were ready for adventure.

An African Patriot

After a long flight, I found myself relaxing by the fire at 4 Aces Outfitters, located near Kimberly, South Africa. Amenities and hospitality were on par with a luxury resort. I was glad to be off the plane and excited for what the next few days had in store. As it turned out, I didn’t fire a shot the first day. Still, I had ample opportunity to observe the animal’s behavior, which was both fascinating and educational.

On day two, we spotted a blesbok standing broadside, 80 yards away. A single, well-placed shot from the Patriot Carbine braced on my PH’s sticks dropped him in his tracks. The compact, lightweight rifle balanced well on the sticks, which can be challenging to shoot from.

Later that day, I delivered a 180-yard shot on a gemsbok. This shot was tough because the bull was moving within a herd. Once I confirmed the bull in my scope was the same one the PH wanted me to shoot, I fired. After a short run, the bull went down. I moved in for a closer shot to prevent the majestic creature from suffering.

The next day, while tracking a warthog through rocky hills, the PH spotted an impala several hundred yards away. As we made our way down the hill on foot, it occurred to me that even with a suppressor, the Patriot Carbine’s compact design made it easy to negotiate the never-ending supply of thorny acacia tree branches.

The PH set up his shooting sticks about 70 yards from the impala. Through the scope, I saw the animal was facing away, with his head turned back towards us. My first shot impacted further back than I intended. My second shot sent the impala down following a short sprint.

The last animal on my list was a warthog, which caught our attention thanks to his tail protruding above the brush like an antenna. When spotted, the PH jokingly whispered, “Free WiFi!” as he pointed at the tail, which was moving further away by the second. After a missed first shot at just over 200 yards, redemption came with my second shot from about 60 yards.

Range Results

The Mossberg Patriot Carbine deserves much of the credit for the success of my South African safari. Still, I hadn’t performed a formal accuracy test with it, and I wanted to see what it was capable of. In South Africa, I hunted with Lehigh Defense’s 155-grain Tipped Extreme Chaos (TXC), a round that segments into four pieces upon impact to maximize the wound channel. Although, I did not have access to that load for accuracy testing, it proved itself in the bush.

“Minute of animal” is one thing, but would the Patriot Carbine produce tight groups? Since not everyone has access to a suppressor, I wanted to test the rifle unsuppressed. It’s a good thing because I would be testing the Patriot Carbine at a range in California–one of the few states where suppressors aren’t legal.

From a bench, 100 yards up range, I settled in behind the rifle. I attached a Spartan Precision Javelin Pro Hunt Tac bipod to the forend and braced the butt stock on a bag rest. I fired three, three-shot groups using ammunition of varying grain weights from Winchester, Hornady and Federal. The Patriot Predator punched way above its weight and modest price tag.

The biggest group was obtained with the lightest load tested, Federal’s 150-grain Trophy Copper. The rifle didn’t like this load as well as Hornady’s 165-grain CX Outfitter or Winchester’s 180-grain Power Point – each of which printed a one-inch group and two sub-one-inch groups. Winchester printed the tightest group at just .7 inches, while the smallest average group size was obtained with Hornady.

Built to Hunt

Despite its light weight, the Patriot Carbine was easy on the shoulder thanks in part to the comfortable, rubber butt pad. Of course, recoil during testing was stouter than when I was hunting suppressed. Not only is a suppressor a great way to preserve your hearing, but it also mitigates felt recoil considerably.

The Patriot Carbine was built to hunt. This entry level rifle has everything you need and nothing you don’t. With or without a suppressor, the Patriot Carbine proved both reliable and accurate. What more could you ask of a $500 rifle?

Mossberg Patriot Carbine Specs

• Type: Bolt-action
• Caliber: .308 Win. (tested)
• Barrel Length/Twist: 16.25 in.; 1:10 twist
• Weight: 6.2 lbs.
• Capacity: 4+1
• Stock: Synthetic (black)
• Finish: Matte blue
• Sights: No sights; Picatinny rail
• Trigger/Safety: 3 lbs., 6 oz. /lever safety
• MSRP: $500
• Manufacturer: Mossberg, mossberg.com

---