Mossberg Patriot 7MM PRC......

[LoonWulf]

Just picked this up from my FFL buddy. It actually came in a couple weeks ago, but neither of us had time to do anything about it.
I did load some rounds before flying home last week, but we didnt get to shoot them.

Heres the rifle as received.



Certainly nothing spectacular except that its only about 6.5lbs.....the stock only weights 1lb 13oz, which is lighter than many if not most aftermarket options (No real surprise there).

I took the whole thing apart, as I was getting ready to put it in a wood stock I had gotten of Gun Broker two weeks ago.
The rail (which would have come off anyway) was properly attached. Making this one of the few factory railed rifles ive had that didnt have at least one loose screw.
Only real glitch in assembly I found was the recoil lug is clocked a few degrees clockwise. when/if I take this thing completely apart ill fix it and re-bed the stock.

I got it fitted to the new wood stock tonight and have the bedding compound curing now. In addition to that I worked on the trigger some, and put the second brake I had for my S20 on it....looks a little dorky, and I might change it.










I loaded the rounds to try and duplicate factory 180Elds. I checked them to see if they touched lands and they did not. After shooting these and picking a charge weight from my ladder, ill adjust the jump and go on from there.



There will be more meaningful updates in the next few days as I Cerakote and reassemble the rifle....HOPEFULLY well get to shoot in in the next week or two...

 

[redneck2]

That wood stock looks really nice. Hope it shoots

 

[Legionnaire]

Following! Did you build your loads in fired brass? I've not been able to find any new brass for the 7PRC.

 

[troy fairweather]

Nice

 

[somethingbenign]

I was not aware the patriot came in 7prc. That is rekindling the fire under me to get a rifle in this cartridge.

 

[Walkalong]

I know someone who has a rifle addiction……

 

[JmacD]

Nice. I’m getting ready to do a custom action(Zermat most likely) rifle, and though I’m gonna do a bunch of barrels eventually, a 7prc is likely the first.
I’m following this of yours project for sure! New stock looks great!!

 

[gotboostvr]

Under #8 should end up being just about a prefect weight once scoped and loaded up for a cartridge like the 7PRC.

Looks great in that wood stock.

 

[LoonWulf]

Following! Did you build your loads in fired brass? I've not been able to find any new brass for the 7PRC.

I couldn't find any either and since the rifle was already on order, i went ahead and paid scalpers rates on gunbroker.
Ill probably change to one of the boutique brass companies later when more options become available.

That wood stock looks really nice. Hope it shoots

This will be my second Patriot and the other one shoots well, as most reviews suggest. Well see if it continues to hold true.

I was not aware the patriot came in 7prc. That is rekindling the fire under me to get a rifle in this cartridge.

They have some interesting chamberings, im still tempted to get one in .375 Ruger to go with my Abolt.....a 6.5lb .375 sounds like fun!......to watch someone else shoot......

Personally i think the 7PRC is about the perfect size for the patriots action. Aaand for some reason that maters to me

I know someone who has a rifle addiction……

I am NOT addicted!.........I can quit anytime I want!

*Twitch* *twitch*..........

Nice. I’m getting ready to do a custom action(Zermat most likely) rifle, and though I’m gonna do a bunch of barrels eventually, a 7prc is likely the first.
I’m following this of yours project for sure! New stock looks great!!

That sounds like a cool build! Swap barrels can be alot if fun. A whole PRC family would be fun lol.

I had considered going at this one from scratch, but I have a great fondness for the 7Mag and if going full custom it made more sense to me to build in that chambering.

Under #8 should end up being just about a prefect weight once scoped and loaded up for a cartridge like the 7PRC.

Looks great in that wood stock.

Nice

Yeah 6.5s a little light 7.5s just about perfect IMO.

So far Im pretty happy with how the patriots look. My biggest issues with wood stocks these days are the ones I can afford generally arnt as attractive as id like.....these guys have pretty decent wood tho.


Thanks guys!

 

[LoonWulf]

Oh! Sprayed my first cerakote since 2015-16. This is C series, which dosent require a curing oven. So well see how it holds up. Might just he regular enamel for all i know......tho it dosent smell like any paint/epoxy ive used.

I just did the bolt handle. The finish on it was bugging me, and starting to rust. I also polished the bolt body, ive noticed the flutes are sharp on these guys and it makes a world of difference just breaking the edges a little.



Oh and crooked recoil lug

 

[LoonWulf]

Bedding epoxys all set up, so i pulled the barreled acion and prepared to Cerakote it.
I made an epoxy block on top of insert in the rear bridge area which might or might not help, its the first time i tried it. I also filled the gaps under the insert with epoxy and re-bedded the lug taking care to leave the sides and bottom clearanced since its crooked.

Not my prettiest work, but it should be functional.


I then degreased the action, heat pressed the joints and degreased again. Im going to try run the cerakote directly over the factory "bluing" which looks more like nitriding.
This worked fine with most matte finishes when using Duracoat, but the older Cerakote really wanted a freshly blasted surface for good adhesion and coverage.......so well see....
Either way at least for NOW its alot prettier than it came from the factory.

 

[Gun-Reck]

Curious how you came across the Mossberg walnut stock.

Might like to pick up a couple for the .270's.

 

[Walkalong]

Is that a sandal tan?

 

[LoonWulf]

Curious how you came across the Mossberg walnut stock.

Might like to pick up a couple for the .270's.

Mossberg will sell them directly https://www.mossberg.com/parts/model/patriot.html.
I ran across this one on Gunbroker for less tho.
eBay is also a good source for used parts.

Is that a sandal tan?

Yup! I actually have callouses from my Scotts band's lol.
Our feet are wet all day at work, so im either in my slippers or barefoot.

I need to remember to buy another pair of slippers or two so i can have one drying and not get stabbed in the feet by metal shavings.......

 

[EIB0879]

Looking forward to a range report Loonwulf!

Mossberg rifles are often derided but I have good experience with mine.

 

[JmacD]

That sounds like a cool build! Swap barrels can be alot if fun. A whole PRC family would be fun lol.

I had considered going at this one from scratch, but I have a great fondness for the 7Mag and if going full custom it made more sense to me to build in that chambering.

I’m probably going to just end up with 3 actions… on short,one standard,and one magnum… the Zermats are switchable bolt faces. And then (possible you might wanna buy stock in a reputable barrel maker)… PRC family will definitely be there. But, though the 300 can shoehorn into a “standard” 06 action, it needs a bit extra length to get all it can give(imho). The 7 is the perfect middle match.

 

[LoonWulf]

I’m probably going to just end up with 3 actions… on short,one standard,and one magnum… the Zermats are switchable bolt faces. And then (possible you might wanna buy stock in a reputable barrel maker)… PRC family will definitely be there. But, though the 300 can shoehorn into a “standard” 06 action, it needs a bit extra length to get all it can give(imho). The 7 is the perfect middle match.

That sounds like a good plan!

 

[LoonWulf]

Looking forward to a range report Loonwulf!

Mossberg rifles are often derided but I have good experience with mine.

Folks either love em or hate em....so it seems anyway......course the vocal ones usually fall to the extremes lol.
Personally Ive found no significant issues with the ones ive used or taken apart, and am quite happy with them.

IMO they kinda suffer "cheap" gun syndrome.
They were also built from a design that had a recent-ish and rough start....and gun folks seem "bah humbugy" about stuff like that well after the actual or imagined issues were corrected.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Looking forward to a range report Loonwulf!

Mossberg rifles are often derided but I have good experience with mine.

My Patriot Predator in 6.5 PRC and patriot in 270 Winchester both shoot really well. I'm still debating selling the 270 as I think I'm going to stick with the 6.5 PRC... The only thing is I have a crap load of 270 ammo and brass and powder specifically for it...

 

[Roverguy]

Enjoying this. That’s one of the Revere stocks, isn’t it? That was a good looking rifle in this day and age. Think they’ve discontinued?

I’m remarkably fond of my somewhat tacky looking, absurdly light Patriot in 375 Ruger. It’s a little bit of a silly rifle, but I like it nevertheless. I do keep thinking that the gray laminate stock would be much more suitable.

This is a more serious rifle altogether and it’s going to look quite well.

 

[LoonWulf]

Enjoying this. That’s one of the Revere stocks, isn’t it? That was a good looking rifle in this day and age. Think they’ve discontinued?

I’m remarkably fond of my somewhat tacky looking, absurdly light Patriot in 375 Ruger. It’s a little bit of a silly rifle, but I like it nevertheless. I do keep thinking that the gray laminate stock would be much more suitable.

This is a more serious rifle altogether and it’s going to look quite well.

No, tho i wish it was. The Revere stocks had grip caps, forend caps, and cut (laser probably, was really consistent) checkering. They also were a higher grade of walnut with a different finish. I should have bought the 06 i looked at when they first released..... something like 500 bucks and it was a really pretty rifle. Metal work was actually polished really well too.....

Might have to find one.....

Anyway.....my stock is standard fair for the wood stocked Patriots, my Wifes .243 is similar.

Small updates.

The rifle is reassembled in its new stock along with is new scope.

I decided to use one of the Bushnell Primes I picked up (was considering pulling my Argos HMR, but its a big heavy MIL scope). It fits with the low cost, not low quality, theme this gun has going on. Its mounted in Vortex Hunter rings, which originally came on my wifes Patriot.

I also forgot to test the weight on the trigger before putting it all back together, and its a little light at 1.75lbs. The upside is theres no grit in its travel, which is good because sear engagement isnt adjustable.
Ill pull it and bring the weight up at some point.




Ill grab pictures outside tomorrow with my wifes gun, hers is still all stock.

 

[LoonWulf]

Took both mine and my wifes rifles out side to grab some pictures.
Hers came with a much nicer finish on the metal work. Her stock is darker but about the same otherwise.







Difference in finish.


I also took a couple pictures thru the scopes, both at 8x

Vortex CF2 3-9x40


Prime 3-12x40


Its interesting how little difference there is when taking pictures thru the scopes. To my eye the Primes image is a lot cleaner looking than the CF2

 

[GooseGestapo]

HMMMM …
Sounds like you bought a Mossberg rifle KIT…
Interesting idea….
Kinda like building a kit airplane…

 

[InTheSwamp]

Very nice pictures.

 

[LoonWulf]

HMMMM …
Sounds like you bought a Mossberg rifle KIT…
Interesting idea….
Kinda like building a kit airplane…

Yeah, kinda is.
I often want specific things that arnt available in the same gun, and I cant afford full custom builds........So mix and match lol.

Very nice pictures.

Thank you!