Mossberg MVP Predator! I'm lovin it!

[ssmith42]

After much deliberation I finally made my decision and I LOVE IT!!! I wanted a light, easy to tote, utility rifle to dispatch hogs, coyotes, rabid skunks and the occasional prickly pear bloom. I found it! I went with the Predator of the Mossberg MVP series in 5.56/.223. I may also get the same gun in .308 or may go with the Savage Hog hunter.

Here are the pictures and field notes if anyone is interested- www.stevesmithadventures.blogspot.com

Any one else have one of there? What are your thoughts of the MVP VS Savage Hog Hunter?

 

[swampcrawler]

I really want to like this rifle... I want to build a scout rifle on the patrol version or preferably it's big brother in 308. My biggest issues with it are a distrust of the little flipper that strip rounds from the mag and the shallow (and therefore, at least on every one iv handled, very wobbly, mag well) other than that I love the rifles.

 

[Jaymo]

The plastic trigger guard has got to go.
One LGS owner is planning on making replacements from metal.
Dunno if steel or aluminum. Probably aluminum, due to machining time/costs.

Will it take the Beta C mag?

 

[BHarada]

I got the Varmint 5.56 model in early 2013 and have put over 1200 rounds through it. I've been able to get sub-MOA 100 yard groups with everything from 40gr Sierra Varminters to 68gr Hornady BTHPs.

I've have had no problems with the bolt feeding off of AR mags. I'm limited to 10-round mags here in CA but have used AR Stoner, P-Mags, D&H, and C-Products mags. All feed perfectly.

I really wanted to get the .308 Varmint last fall, but could not find any in stock anywhere. But from what little I've been able to find out about it online the .308 models are not as reliable or accurate as the 5.56 models.

 

[CApighunter]

Ive got an MVP Predator in 5.56/.233 and like it alot.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I got one too.
However, it didn't want to feed well from any magazines I tried in it including the one it came with. (early rifle with un-marked 10rd magazine)

I drilled a hole and placed a small headed screw that I dremmeled down in the mag well in front of the trigger guard to allow the magazine to just be locked and it now holds the mag tight and feeds "ok".

My favorite magazine is a 10rd P-mag. Nice fit, not excessive hang from the bottom of the rifle and no sharp edges to scratch/hang.

It shoots much better after having barrel free floated and running ~400rds through it.
It shoots near 1/2" with Berger 70gr VLD's and nearly as good with 60gr Hornady's and 63gr Sierra's. (Reloader15 powder, match prepped Federal mil-spec brass).
Maybe I'll get around to doing some deer "shooting" with it this year...

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Mine is very accurate but I bought an early one with non-treaded muzzle and am regretting it.

Mike

 

[itsa pain]

I got one too.
However, it didn't want to feed well from any magazines I tried in it including the one it came with. (early rifle with un-marked 10rd magazine)

I drilled a hole and placed a small headed screw that I dremmeled down in the mag well in front of the trigger guard to allow the magazine to just be locked and it now holds the mag tight and feeds "ok".

My favorite magazine is a 10rd P-mag. Nice fit, not excessive hang from the bottom of the rifle and no sharp edges to scratch/hang.

It shoots much better after having barrel free floated and running ~400rds through it.
It shoots near 1/2" with Berger 70gr VLD's and nearly as good with 60gr Hornady's and 63gr Sierra's. (Reloader15 powder, match prepped Federal mil-spec brass).
Maybe I'll get around to doing some deer "shooting" with it this year...

That 1x9 twist stabilizes that bullet? Most 1x9's might have trouble. Maybe it is a shorter design

 

[MrDig]

Mine shoots better than I do I can tell you that. Even bench resting I get the yips once every other shot and it throws off the pattern.
Others shoot dime sized groups at a 100 yds, and on a solid bech vice it shoots nickle sized groups for me. Like I said I get the yips.........

 

[LS240]

I bought a 5.56 patrol model to use as a truck gun but I've had a few issues with it and until I've got a lot more rounds through it without any further issues I can't really say I trust it.

In the first few hundred rounds I had a fair number of what I believe were light primer strikes with several different types of ammo. That has straightened out of late though so I'll chalk that up to break in.

At just my second range session though the trigger wouldn't reset and once I had a chance to take it apart I could see something was hung up in the bolt and the internals(not familiar with all the parts terminology) in the bolt wouldn't release forward as they should. Disassembling the bolt was enough to get it back online but I've only got a few hundred more rounds in it since then so I'm not entirely sure if that's cleared up or not.

I also had a more minor issue with the screws that hold the top rail on backing out and allowing the mount to wiggle. Loctite fixed that up.

Beyond that, the bolt is far from the smoothest I've ever used but it's serviceable. To the rifle's credit though it seems to eat steel-cased ammo just fine, even when switching back and forth with brass. It also feels very solid in the hands with that strange coated wood stock(most mistakenly believe it's polymer but it is in fact wood) and it's more than accurate enough for its role.

Despite the issues though I really like it and won't give up on it yet.

 

[ssmith42]

Great Review

Great review! Thanks

 

[B!ngoFuelUSN]

Tell the ba&*ar%s that they'd sell at least 10% more if they made them in left-handed (as well as right handed) configs. I asked them about it and just said 'no'. Given that Ruger GS makes a lefty, I was surprised.
I heard the MVP is a fine model but doubt I'll ever know.
B