Mossberg MVP Patrol - 7.62x51 - Ammunition suggestions?

[American Finn]

I'm going to go and find some other brands of ammunition in the coming weeks and report back. I understand what everyone is saying about barrel length, smoothing it out, trying other loads, etc. As for having someone else shoot it for groups; my gunsmith already did that with other ammunition. Both him and I use a benchrest when we sight in; I think he said he had a Lead Sled and I have a Benchmaster; I've never had an issue with mine. When I used it a few years ago to sight in a Marlin 336 .30-30 with a scope it threw Hornady LeverEvolution 160gr bullets in at about 1 MOA at 100 yards. I suppose this is why I at first was a little apprehensive about the initial groups with this MVP Patrol. As I said earlier, if I can get this rifle down to 2" groups consistently then I will call it good to go. I all else fails I will go back to my gunsmith and ask him to help me deal with Mossberg CS and all the shipping requirements. Please stay tuned.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

I'm going to go and find some other brands of ammunition in the coming weeks and report back. I understand what everyone is saying about barrel length, smoothing it out, trying other loads, etc. As for having someone else shoot it for groups; my gunsmith already did that with other ammunition. Both him and I use a benchrest when we sight in; I think he said he had a Lead Sled and I have a Benchmaster; I've never had an issue with mine. When I used it a few years ago to sight in a Marlin 336 .30-30 with a scope it threw Hornady LeverEvolution 160gr bullets in at about 1 MOA at 100 yards. I suppose this is why I at first was a little apprehensive about the initial groups with this MVP Patrol. As I said earlier, if I can get this rifle down to 2" groups consistently then I will call it good to go. I all else fails I will go back to my gunsmith and ask him to help me deal with Mossberg CS and all the shipping requirements. Please stay tuned.

I'm definitely going to be watching for further evaluation. Here's a link to Powder Valley who is good people and are quick with shipping! I've been buying my gun powder from them recently. https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/product/sierra-308-win-175-gr-hpbt-mk/

 

[Bcwitt]

Some guns just wont shoot better then that. If they promised 1moa, I would contact them.

 

[2ndtimer]

You could order a couple boxes of this from Midway:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022994832?pid=287140
I just shot some pretty good groups in both my PA-10 18” barrel and my Savage 10T 24” barrel yesterday. Pretty good deal for Sierra Match King bullet ammo and about half the price of Federal Gold Medal Match ammo. (I won’t argue against Federal Gold Medal Match ammo being the gold standard for factory ammo, but if 2” groups are your goal, for half the price, you might consider trying a box.)
I too, have never had great success with cheaper FMJ ammo, the best in my experience, being PMC Bronze.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Some guns just wont shoot better then that. If they promised 1moa, I would contact them.

I expect old milsurps, vintage lever guns and most semi autos to be in the 2-4 MOA range, but I wouldn't accept any modern bolt action centerfire which mechanically can't do better than 1.5 MOA @100 yards with quality ammo.

 

[alfsauve]

Nothing spectacular here. Below is my gun and target. Never tried it with premium ammo. What you see are is a target using Ga Arms "canned heat" .150gr FMJ. I bought the MVP as my "Scout Rifle". A compact rifle that would still reach out with a solid punch at distance, yet be handy for anything encountered close up. Put a Nikon Monarch 2-8x on it. Maybe I should get some premium ammo and see what it will do further out.

 

[citizenconn]

The Backfire youtube channel has 3 or more videos on his woes with a Mossberg Patriot in .308.


I think the speculation may be the problem is with Mossberg .308 barrels in general, as other folks have reported good accuracy with other chamberings. I hope you get the issue worked out. I had a customer service issue with my new Mossberg bolt action a while back and just gave up dealing with them and got it fixed locally.

Personally, I don't know that I would buy another Mossberg unless there was a compelling reason to as long as I could get a similar firearm from other manufacturers.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

The Backfire youtube channel has 3 or more videos on his woes with a Mossberg Patriot in .308.


I think the speculation may be the problem is with Mossberg .308 barrels in general, as other folks have reported good accuracy with other chamberings. I hope you get the issue worked out. I had a customer service issue with my new Mossberg bolt action a while back and just gave up dealing with them and got it fixed locally.

Personally, I don't know that I would buy another Mossberg unless there was a compelling reason to as long as I could get a similar firearm from other manufacturers.

My 270 Win and 6.5 PRC Patriots are very accurate so I don't know why just because it's 308, that means its not accurate... I figure they are making enough of them to be replacing their reamers half way regularly so they wouldn't be causing any problem in that regard.

 

[citizenconn]

My 270 Win and 6.5 PRC Patriots are very accurate so I don't know why just because it's 308, that means its not accurate... I figure they are making enough of them to be replacing their reamers half way regularly so they wouldn't be causing any problem in that regard.

Jim at Backfire sent it back a couple times for repair and they even sent him a replacement, albeit it a different model which still did not group very well with most ammo.

Usually in this case you tend to blame the shooter, but it looks like he was not the only one testing the rifle and everything was rechecked and retorqued and all so I have no idea what is going on. I only bought my Mossberg MVP Precision because at the time it was the only .224 Valkyrie precision bolt gun I could find. It is ok, but not up to the level of my other precision rifles. However it easily shoots 1 moa all day long whereas my other precision rifles will shoot 1/3 to 1/2 moa.

I hope the OP can get this accuracy problem figured out. Even the cheapest Savage bolt gun I have in .308 shoots under 1 moa with 3-5 shot groups, with sometimes a flier on the 3rd or 4th shot, and it would shoot better if I put it into a better stock that doesn't flex so much. I have found with all the guns I've owned with accuracy issues it was because of stock issues (cheap plastic stocks) and not the barrels and that was fixed when I upgraded the stocks.

Mossberg is probably at the bottom of choices for me for bolt action rifles. Your mileage may vary.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Jim at Backfire sent it back a couple times for repair and they even sent him a replacement, albeit it a different model which still did not group very well with most ammo.

Usually in this case you tend to blame the shooter, but it looks like he was not the only one testing the rifle and everything was rechecked and retorqued and all so I have no idea what is going on. I only bought my Mossberg MVP Precision because at the time it was the only .224 Valkyrie precision bolt gun I could find. It is ok, but not up to the level of my other precision rifles. However it easily shoots 1 moa all day long whereas my other precision rifles will shoot 1/3 to 1/2 moa.

I hope the OP can get this accuracy problem figured out. Even the cheapest Savage bolt gun I have in .308 shoots under 1 moa with 3-5 shot groups, with sometimes a flier on the 3rd or 4th shot, and it would shoot better if I put it into a better stock that doesn't flex so much. I have found with all the guns I've owned with accuracy issues it was because of stock issues (cheap plastic stocks) and not the barrels and that was fixed when I upgraded the stocks.

Mossberg is probably at the bottom of choices for me for bolt action rifles. Your mileage may vary.

Hmm... I do understand that your experience was crappy, and that would sour a brand for possibly a lifetime IMHO... I do like Remington but they are very expensive and I haven't been able to find a 6.5 PRC model and my 438 dollar Mossberg works fine for me so I'll keep it till I shoot it out and then go from there. I'll probably put together a custom Remington 700 based rifle at that point.

 

[citizenconn]

I do like Remington but they are very expensive and I haven't been able to find a 6.5 PRC model and my 438 dollar Mossberg works fine for me so I'll keep it till I shoot it out and then go from there.

As long as it shooting good for you there's no reason to change. I don't know the barrel expectancy for a 6.5 PRC but I would guess at least 2000 or more rounds before significant degradation. Others may say I am overestimating.

I have a couple Savage Precision rifles in 6.5 PRC that I really like, but I may get ones of these to see how it fairs for hunting. My Dad prefers the traditional style stocks over chassis stocks and our deal is that I supply the hardware and he does all the handloading.

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...black-bolt-action-rifle-65-prc-24in/p/1653419

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Here's my 6.5 PRC groups at 25 yards which is not 100 but still...
Just shot this evening.

 

[American Finn]

I will get out soon and try some new ammo in it. I appreciate all the comments on this. @alfsauve Looking at your picture, that is about a 2 inch group, correct?

 

[bearcreek]

My question to all of you is if you have owned this rifle have you had better experiences with another brand of ammunition?

I own one, and no, I haven't had better experiences with any of the ammo I've tried. It's the least accurate rifle I've fired. I've seen 12 gauge slug guns that would beat it at 100 yards.

 

[bearcreek]

I don't know what else to do at this point.

My solution was to buy a Tikka. The Mossberg typically produces groups about 6-8 times the size of those from the Tikka.

 

[Roverguy]

I have a Patriot in 375 Ruger and have been lucky. It can be 1.5 MOA rifle if I am really, really good about hold and not flinching. In the field, I would not expect better than 2 MOA and doubt I could deliver even that. For the money, chambered in that cartridge, I think that’s amazing. But, there has been a fairly large consensus view that the Patriot rifles are somewhat hit or miss, to the extent that they are affordable hunting rifles, not precision target rifles. The fact that some of them are MOA or sub MOA capable is remarkable.

The MVP Patrol is a 308 Win with a 16” barrel. 3-4 MOA doesn’t surprise me. If it were reliably 3 MOA, I’d say there’s really nothing to complain about. If it’s only 3 MOA on its best day with match ammo, then, yes, it’s reasonable to be disappointed, but not too much. After all, it’s a very silly rifle.

 

[alfsauve]

@alfsauve Looking at your picture, that is about a 2 inch group, correct?

Wish I’d written that in the notes or provide some scale in the pic, Using the holes as a guide, .31” ea. I’d say the white area is ~1,5”, so probably closer to 2.5”.

 

[American Finn]

Wish I’d written that in the notes or provide some scale in the pic, Using the holes as a guide, .31” ea. I’d say the white area is ~1,5”, so probably closer to 2.5”.

Thank you for your feedback. Next couple of weekends I have some things going and won't be able to get out (plus the cold and snow finally hit northern Michigan); as soon as I get some time I will get back out and report on my findings.

 

[American Finn]

Well, sorry for the months long delay in getting back to all of you. Between home emergencies dealing with plumbing, family emergencies, having to work six days a week, etc. I just finally got time to get out to the range with this rifle.

After experimenting with different bullet weights, brands, etc. I determined this rifle is only capable of two inch groups at 100 yards. It doesn't like 165 or 180 grain bullets at all; I went back to 150gr weights and every brand seems to hit to point of aim at this distance. So, after putting another 100 rounds through it the accuracy settled in and now it is consistently two to two and one half inches with Federal Power Shok 150s; I can find it where I live pretty consistently so that's what I'm going with.

It's a backpacking and hiking gun with deer hunting within two hundred yards. It will do fine for that purpose.

Thank you all again for your advice!

P.S. My wife gave me the okay to buy a Tikka; Christmas is around the corner!

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Well, sorry for the months long delay in getting back to all of you. Between home emergencies dealing with plumbing, family emergencies, having to work six days a week, etc. I just finally got time to get out to the range with this rifle.

After experimenting with different bullet weights, brands, etc. I determined this rifle is only capable of two inch groups at 100 yards. It doesn't like 165 or 180 grain bullets at all; I went back to 150gr weights and every brand seems to hit to point of aim at this distance. So, after putting another 100 rounds through it the accuracy settled in and now it is consistently two to two and one half inches with Federal Power Shok 150s; I can find it where I live pretty consistently so that's what I'm going with.

It's a backpacking and hiking gun with deer hunting within two hundred yards. It will do fine for that purpose.

Thank you all again for your advice!

P.S. My wife gave me the okay to buy a Tikka; Christmas is around the corner!

2.5in at 100 yards with federal blue box? That ammo seems to be capable of better accuracy than that but did you try Gold Medal Match 308 ammo? Also, have you have your barrel inspected with a bore scope? Could have rough rifling or something cause an improper gas seal or something?

 

[Jonah77]

At the risk of piling on Mossberg….

I bought an MVP Patrol in 5.56 pretty much as an impulse buy. Wanted AR compatible magazines and iron sights. Stock locally and online at the time kept me from getting that from anyone else.

I’ve had it out to the range twice. While I have not really put it through it’s paces as thoroughly as I would like, my initial experience was pretty “meh”.
Well, more like-“this thing sucks.” I believe it to be the least accurate rifle in my safe, which includes a PSA 16” upper AR.

If I had to compare it to something, it is about on par with my ‘54 Tula SKS. Only the SKS is a lot more fun.

Like I said, to be fair, I haven’t invested enough time or sampling of ammo to bury it in the yard (yet), but I’m not real confident it will make a difference.

Glad the OP can look forward to a Tika!

Personally, I solved that issue with a CZ527 in 7.62x39 lol

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

At the risk of piling on Mossberg….

I bought an MVP Patrol in 5.56 pretty much as an impulse buy. Wanted AR compatible magazines and iron sights. Stock locally and online at the time kept me from getting that from anyone else.

I’ve had it out to the range twice. While I have not really put it through it’s paces as thoroughly as I would like, my initial experience was pretty “meh”.
Well, more like-“this thing sucks.” I believe it to be the least accurate rifle in my safe, which includes a PSA 16” upper AR.

If I had to compare it to something, it is about on par with my ‘54 Tula SKS. Only the SKS is a lot more fun.

Like I said, to be fair, I haven’t invested enough time or sampling of ammo to bury it in the yard (yet), but I’m not real confident it will make a difference.

Glad the OP can look forward to a Tika!

Personally, I solved that issue with a CZ527 in 7.62x39 lol

Well it seems the MVP line wasn't really well received... Hence the Patriot line which I have two of (270 and 6.5 PRC) and they are pretty accurate at the limited range ive shot them at. 75 yards so far.

 

[American Finn]

2.5in at 100 yards with federal blue box? That ammo seems to be capable of better accuracy than that but did you try Gold Medal Match 308 ammo? Also, have you have your barrel inspected with a bore scope? Could have rough rifling or something cause an improper gas seal or something?

My gunsmith looked at the bore and ruled that out. Also checked headspace and he told me it was within specifications. Perhaps in the future when things calm down for me I'll get back into reloading and try to tailor loads for it.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

My gunsmith looked at the bore and ruled that out. Also checked headspace and he told me it was within specifications. Perhaps in the future when things calm down for me I'll get back into reloading and try to tailor loads for it.

Yeah I'd hold out to work up a custom load and see if it changes anything. Like ramshot TAC and 150gr bullets should be pretty decent.

 

[Jerry M]

Try using sandbags and place them as close to the magazine, as opposed to the forend. Your stock may be flexing enough to touch (put pressure on) the barrel.