DocRock
member
Aka: why Loon Wulf is a very bad person 
So, last week I had the opportunity to purchase a NIB Mossberg Patriot chambered in .375 Ruger. The rifle is 22” barrel, with a Cerakote silver that Mossberg calls Marinkote, or something similar. It has a large soft recoil pad and “synthetic” stock. At $300 it was extremely tempting despite numerous bad judgement lights going off.
In my hour of need, I reached out to brother Loon Wulf who has a .375 Ruger chambered rifle, seeking his advice and counsel, expecting him to talk me off the ledge. Instead, he was nothing but an enabler! Thanks very much LW!
So there are lots of Patriot reviews out there, most of which seem to fall in the fair to fawning range. There aren’t so many reviews of the .375 Ruger version, an interesting foray into dangerous game rifle territory for a budget bolt action.
First, the worst: the stock. I take it Mossberg got a deal from Mattel on contract manufacturing their “synthetic” stocks. Despite a fairly classic straight comb design, it is nothing but not so fantastic plastic. Maybe it’s recycled, so environmentally conscious ? All the quality feel of a low end air rifle. Integral plastic trigger guard. Some effort at stippling at wrist and forend grip areas. Basically cheap and cheesy.
Second worst, same as the first: Mattel rejected magazine. Very cheap, extremely brittle feeling plastic magazine. I can’t get to “polymer”. It has toy/airsoft feel to it. Magwell and guide? Cheesy plastic. Having said that, the single stack 3 capacity magazine pops in and out of the rifle easily and snaps in securely. The lever release is easy to access and operate. Would be fine with gloves on.
Stock must weigh nothing because on my not very sensitive bathroom scale, I get a rifle total weight of 6.2 lbs. Quite disturbing given what it is chambered in!
Cerakoting is well done in a matte silver-grey. Williams sights, adjustable for windage and elevation look good and functional. Sighting is easy and straight-forward. Recessed crown is a nice touch.
Spiral bolt seems an odd touch in a budget rifle but aesthetically pleasing and smooth. Pinned floating bolt head is to allegedly ensure tight alignment on lock-up, but may also allow slightly sloppier manufacturing tolerances ? Two lug bolt is a little disconcerting but lock up is totally solid - no rattle or play. Bolt knob is large, knurled, easy to manipulate.
Bolt release is a tab on the left side - easy, functional, classic. Two position safety allows unloading while on. Safety is a little gritty and noisy. Trigger is excellent, at least in dry fire. I don’t have a gage. I’m guessing 3 lbs or less, very clean. Very surprising.
Rifle handles very well. As noted above, it’s disturbingly light. The 22” barrel feels right and the pivot point is right on the Mag release. Moves well.
So, first impressions are extremely positive with the exception of the stock, which is appalling. If I like it enough, I will probably have to re-stock it, which makes the $300 cost of entry less of a steal.
I have dies on the way; Hornady brass, 270 grs Hornady Interlock to hand, and will order some Lyman 375499 270 grs bullets for cast loads at @1800 FPS. Should be good for hogs. And with jacketed bullets a great elk rifle. There is talk of a trip to Namibia next year with friends from SA who live here in CO, so, who knows...
Will have more when it warms up enough to shoot it.
So, last week I had the opportunity to purchase a NIB Mossberg Patriot chambered in .375 Ruger. The rifle is 22” barrel, with a Cerakote silver that Mossberg calls Marinkote, or something similar. It has a large soft recoil pad and “synthetic” stock. At $300 it was extremely tempting despite numerous bad judgement lights going off.
In my hour of need, I reached out to brother Loon Wulf who has a .375 Ruger chambered rifle, seeking his advice and counsel, expecting him to talk me off the ledge. Instead, he was nothing but an enabler!
Thanks very much LW!So there are lots of Patriot reviews out there, most of which seem to fall in the fair to fawning range. There aren’t so many reviews of the .375 Ruger version, an interesting foray into dangerous game rifle territory for a budget bolt action.
First, the worst: the stock. I take it Mossberg got a deal from Mattel on contract manufacturing their “synthetic” stocks. Despite a fairly classic straight comb design, it is nothing but not so fantastic plastic. Maybe it’s recycled, so environmentally conscious ? All the quality feel of a low end air rifle. Integral plastic trigger guard. Some effort at stippling at wrist and forend grip areas. Basically cheap and cheesy.
Second worst, same as the first: Mattel rejected magazine. Very cheap, extremely brittle feeling plastic magazine. I can’t get to “polymer”. It has toy/airsoft feel to it. Magwell and guide? Cheesy plastic. Having said that, the single stack 3 capacity magazine pops in and out of the rifle easily and snaps in securely. The lever release is easy to access and operate. Would be fine with gloves on.
Stock must weigh nothing because on my not very sensitive bathroom scale, I get a rifle total weight of 6.2 lbs. Quite disturbing given what it is chambered in!
Cerakoting is well done in a matte silver-grey. Williams sights, adjustable for windage and elevation look good and functional. Sighting is easy and straight-forward. Recessed crown is a nice touch.
Spiral bolt seems an odd touch in a budget rifle but aesthetically pleasing and smooth. Pinned floating bolt head is to allegedly ensure tight alignment on lock-up, but may also allow slightly sloppier manufacturing tolerances ? Two lug bolt is a little disconcerting but lock up is totally solid - no rattle or play. Bolt knob is large, knurled, easy to manipulate.
Bolt release is a tab on the left side - easy, functional, classic. Two position safety allows unloading while on. Safety is a little gritty and noisy. Trigger is excellent, at least in dry fire. I don’t have a gage. I’m guessing 3 lbs or less, very clean. Very surprising.
Rifle handles very well. As noted above, it’s disturbingly light. The 22” barrel feels right and the pivot point is right on the Mag release. Moves well.
So, first impressions are extremely positive with the exception of the stock, which is appalling. If I like it enough, I will probably have to re-stock it, which makes the $300 cost of entry less of a steal.
I have dies on the way; Hornady brass, 270 grs Hornady Interlock to hand, and will order some Lyman 375499 270 grs bullets for cast loads at @1800 FPS. Should be good for hogs. And with jacketed bullets a great elk rifle. There is talk of a trip to Namibia next year with friends from SA who live here in CO, so, who knows...
Will have more when it warms up enough to shoot it.
Last edited:
.
