I recently received the new Mossberg Patriot Super Bantam Scoped Combo rifle in .308 Win., in anticipation of going deer hunting for the first time with my dad. This rifle is perfect for hunting or target shooting, and using a system of spacers, the rifle can grow with the shooter. Without the any of the spacers in, this rifle is the perfect size for a younger shooter. With the spacers in, it is useable without trouble by the average full-sized adult, adding a full inch to the length of the stock to become a 13-inch length of pull. The rifle is of an appropriate weight (7.5 pounds), which is heavy enough to stop some of the recoil, without being unwieldy or too heavy to carry for a smaller shooter. Another thing that makes the rifle well-suited for the hands of a younger shooter is the trigger, which has an adjustable pull weight from 2 to 7 pounds.
Another perk that makes this rifle easier to use for a younger shooter is the action. This rifle uses a bolt action, which is simple to operate, and it has the bonus of helping to teach the shooter to pause in between shots by requiring the operation of the bolt before it can be fired again. The time that it takes to operate the bolt gives someone time to prepare both mentally and physically for their next shot, improving accuracy, and more deeply ingraining the proper steps for safe and proper use.
It has a five-round polymer magazine, and can be loaded by simply pushing the rounds into the top, making it very easy to load. The caliber is a little high for a first-time shooter and for target shooting if you intend to do a lot of shooting at once, if you are not experienced with repetitive use of high-caliber rounds. However, the .308 Winchester is still quite well-suited for large-game hunting as well as target shooting.
The rifle also comes with a scope in the box, ready to be attached. Sighting-in the rifle took us 20 rounds at 50 yards before it was dead center every time, and then we went through another 20 for practice. The scope was simple and easy to adjust and has variable power 3-9×40mm.
The 20-inch barrel sports a matte blued finish. It also offers flutes to reduce weight, strengthen the barrel, and to allow for it to cool down more quickly. The barrel also has a recessed crown to protect the rifling. The stock is black synthetic, which is weather proof, strong and lightweight. The bolt is easily removed for cleaning; All the shooter need do is open the bolt and hold a button, which allows the bolt to be completely removed. This permits the shooter to clean the bolt and provides easier access to the barrel. The bolt itself is also fluted. The rifle uses a lever safety, a small switch located on the right-hand side of the rifle, immediately behind the bolt. The safety is on when it's positioned rearward. Safety is off and ready to fire when it is pushed forward. This allows for the safety to be operated with the right thumb, even if the rifle is being held in shooting position.
I found this to be a great, easy-to-use and accurate rifle. To learn more, please visit www.mossberg.com.
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