Mossberg MVP Predator .223 Bolt Gun Takes AR-15 Mags- New Gun Review

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Mossberg MVP Predator .223 Bolt Gun Takes AR-15 Mags- New Gun Review
Mossberg MVP Predator

The Mossberg MVP Predator shot repeatable sub-MOA groups at 50 yards (lower right target), but we couldn’t keep it quite down to MOA at 100 yards, possibly because of the late afternoon Florida sun in our faces and the fact that we only used a 4x scope.

By Guy J. Sagi

Mossberg
www.mossberg.com

Mossberg MVP Predator

The Mossberg MVP Series of bolt-actions are, to our knowledge, the first production rifles that can utilize aftermarket AR-15 magazines like the PMag.

Not a lot of people would argue that the .223/5.56 is an extremely versatile and useful cartridge. The problem is that not everyone wants to shoot an AR-15 platform for every task, and let’s face it, AR-15s aren’t cheap. Mossberg came up with an idea to make a .223 bolt gun that uses AR-15 mags and for SHOT Show of this year, they released the MVP series. A lot of us are jumping up and down yelling YES YES YES. The MVPs come in several different configurations, from a 24″ barrel and target stock, down to a 16″ stubby patrol rifle that takes a suppressor. All of the guns have a 1:9 twist rate, so they will handle the same range of bullets as most AR-15s, and from what we found with our test gun, an 18″ laminate stock Predator model, these new Mossberg bolt guns are tack drivers. Our primary concern testing the gun was whether the reverse engineering for AR-15 mags worked as hoped, because nobody has really done this before and you have to wonder why. But our little MVP had zero problems digesting from its own 10 round mag and even the long 30 round P-Mags, never failing to pick up the next round, and you could jiggle the magazine back and forth with no hitching of the bolt whatsoever. It works because Mossberg put a little tab sticking out of the bottom of the bolt to pick up the shells. The MSRP for our MVP Predator is $729, and the series tops out at the Flex Patrol version at $928. The street prices will be well under that when the market comes back to normal, and your local stocking dealer most likely has them well below MSRP right now, but call before you go. The MVP seems like an idea whose time has come, and these guns are 100% Made in USA.

Mossberg MVP Predator

Mossberg’s Drop-Push Bolt has a hinged portion of the bolt face (arrow) that scoops 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem. rounds out of the magazine. In testing it worked flawlessly and there were no failures to feed or extract.

Some of you are probably asking why you would want a bolt gun over an AR-15 platform to begin with. The most important reason is accuracy versus price. We have tested several AR platforms that out of the box have delivered MOA or better accuracy, but they are all up in the $1,200 plus range This test MVP here is a short barrel model, and we tested it with only one type of ammo (which is not the 75 grain Hornady we have heard it prefers), and it performed better than nearly every AR-15 you will find under $1,000 under normal market conditions. Another important reason you would want a bolt gun over an AR-15 is ammo conservation. Try as we might, most of us tend to shoot too quickly with a semi-auto. And whether prairie dog hunting, target shooting or engaging a mob of zombies (the slow kind), most of us are better off with slower, well aimed fire. Also, though we all may get upset when talking about the political implications of “black rifles,” there are still avid shooters out there who simply refuse to buy an AR-15 because of media brainwashing. There are also some police departments who still do not allow their officers to carry an AR-15 in their squad car due to political pressure. As a sniper round, the .223/5.56 is one of the most ideal in an urban environment. It stops cold on most things it hits, whether that be wallboard, a couch cushion, or an intended human target, yet it is absolutely devastating as a one-shot stopper, and ideal for law enforcement and “come the day” scenarios. You can also buy .223/5.56 at Wal-Mart (not right now), which is a big plus. The Mossberg MVP series is a classic case of “see a need fill a need.” With the right ammo there are very few things this rifle won’t be great at.

Mossberg MVP Predator

Informal shooting at 50 yards produced groups in the MOA range with a 4x Meopta tactical scope

Why Never Before?

Using an AR-15 magazine in a bolt-action rifle sounds simple, but there are some mechanical hurdles. For one thing, a side catch holds it in place when inserted in a modern sporting rifle’s lower receiver. Mossberg engineered a polymer bedding block with an integral magazine well to get around the problem. A lever located at its front serves as the magazine release. It works well, and reliably, but like most bolt guns it is virtually flush with the bottom of the gun. During testing with bare hands it took a conscious effort to release the magazine, and you would probably want to remove a glove rather than try to get a gloved finger in there. It isn’t a big deal but worth mentioning. The good news is that it would be hard to inadvertently drop this rifle’s magazine, even a 30 rounder. What was most surprising about the gun was that the long mags are very jiggly, but they never result in a failure to feed or a sticky bolt. It takes a little practice to get the aftermarket mags in smoothly, kind of like seating an M1A or Mini-14 mag, but once you get it they click in positively and don’t come out.

Mossberg MVP Predator

Texturing on the stock helps ensure a solid grip, even in poor weather. It also adds to the Predator’s looks.

That little tab under the bolt is called the patent-pending Mossberg Drop-Push Bolt. When pushed forward, a hinged portion of the bolt face dives slightly into the magazine to scoop out the next round. During testing we had zero failures to feed or stoppages of any kind, so it works and works very well. The spiral fluted bolt is very smooth for a lower priced gun. As the gun broke in the only quirk in the bolt throw, a slightly sticky seating, loosened up. There were no problems encountered when inserting or removing the bolt in the rifle, despite the hinged bolt face’s rather unorthodox operation. It looks odd, but the system proved extremely reliable at the range.

Mossberg MVP Predator

The Mossberg Lightning Bolt Action Adjustable Trigger can be adjusted for let-off weights between 2 and 7 pounds.

Why a Laminate Stock?

Mossberg MVP Predator

At 50 yards Hornady 55-grain GMX Superformance printed a .575 inch group. Velocity was 2,847 fps.

Predators and several of the others in the Mossberg MVP line have a laminate stock, which has advantages and disadvantages. Laminate is made like plywood, with strips of wood glued into a block, then sawed, machine and finished as if it were solid wood. Not using an actual large piece of tree reduces the cost and gives you a stock that is pretty much indestructible and hides scratches and dings. They are also mostly not effected by humidity that can effect a solid wood stock, moving point of impact considerably as the wood swells and contracts with the weather. Compared to a polymer stock, a laminate stock is heavier, sometimes even heavier than solid wood, and that may be a serious downside if you plan to carry the gun. This shorty Predator comes in at 8 lbs., not light. Many people prefer the weight of wood or laminate over plastic because it just feels better though. According to my food scale, our MVP Predator weighs 8 lbs. 2 ounces with a full magazine and the Meopta ZD Tactical scope you see here in the pictures, and it balances exactly at the front of the magazine. Laminate stocks just feel more wieldly to the majority of shooters and it works really with this 18″ MVP. We hope to have a review on these incredible Meopta scopes within a couple weeks as well.

More Stats

Mossberg MVP Predator

The MVP Predator comes with sling swivel stubs fore and aft.

You should click through the different models of the MVP for their individual specifics. Overall length of this Predator is 37.5 inches but overall length and weight varies from model to model. The Predator comes with a split scope mounting platform, two bases, pre-installed on the gun, but there are other models that come with a full rail. The stock is a free float design, which means that the wood (or plastic) does not touch the barrel forward of the action at all. This increases accuracy because when the barrel touches the stock, it can send harmonic disturbances through the barrel during firing that can throw off accuracy. The length of pull on the fixed stock models of the guns is 13.25 inches from the rear buttpad to the trigger, but Mossberg also does make a Flex model that takes AR-15 buttstocks as well. Sling swivel studs on the wooden stocked models are included for use of a Harris/Caldwell style bipod and/or sling. The moderately flat fore-end helps when shooting off any sort of rest. The gun is very well designed as an out of the box shooter.

Texturing on the fore-end ensures a positive grip in inclement weather. It’s not checkering, but more of an oval-shaped region of random stippling in the top layer of laminate. A Mossberg “M” gives it a distinctive, non-gaudy appearance that won’t embarrass you at the range. It looks nice, and once you enlarge the photos for a closer view you’ll probably agree. The wrist and grip area have a similar treatment, without the initial, and it adds yet another nice touch.

A recoil pad isn’t really necessary in an 8 lb. 5.56 NATO-chambered rifle, but it’s there to allay the fears of those who are recoil-sensitive. It also provides a good, non-slip surface that kept it firmly anchored on shoulders at the range.

Mossberg MVP Predator

The rifle has a two-position safety with lots of texturing to ensure grip. The red dot is in the safe position, which is the opposite of most guns.

Machined Construction

You might not expect, or need, beefy construction in a .223 Rem. bolt-action rifle, but the MVP series begins as bar stock and is machined, just like their bigger brothers, the company’s 4×4 Series. The receiver is smaller, naturally, as well as the ejection port at 2.16 inches. But, whether you’re after coyote in the deserts of Arizona or tossing it into your trunk, this gun will take the abuse. The Predator’s 5.56 NATO chambering allows owners to use surplus military ammunition. That’s a big deal right now, but the 5.56 designation also means it can digest .223 Rem. cartridges, making the rifle even more versatile. Many people think that .223 and 5.56 NATO are interchangeable but they are not. Due to a slightly different shoulder angle on the rounds, a 5.56 will take .223 shells safety but a rifle chambered in a strict .223 design will not take military 5.56.

Mossberg MVP Predator

You probably won’t need a recoil pad for this 5.56 NATO-chambered rifle, but it’s reassuring for new shooters and in testing helped anchor the gun well.

A pair of small, Weaver-style rails atop the Predator’s receiver made installation of the Meopta 1-4X-22 mm RD riflescope fast and easy before testing. The back rail has one groove and there are two up front. This provided plenty of eye relief once the scope was mounted. We chose a tactical 1-4x scope because this particular rifle has kind of a handy, truck gun feel to it and for quick shooting you don’t want to go over 4x or so, yet with this magnification it is easy to hit a coyote sized target out to 200 yards.

Mossberg’s Lightning Bolt Action Adjustable Trigger deserves an article unto itself because it isn’t just a copy of something from another gun manufacturer, though it may look like one. The Predator’s trigger broke cleanly, without creep, at 2 pounds, 9 ounces. It only takes a screwdriver to adjust let-off weight anywhere from 2 to 7 pounds. If you have never shot a rifle with one of these little safety bars, they work great. Normally you would never set a hunting rifle trigger at under even 5 lbs., let alone under 3 lbs., but because you have the safety lever there is little danger of an accidental discharge. You would swear you are shooting a tuned target rifle when you shoot the MVP. It is just that crisp and light.

Mossberg MVP Predator

Weaver-style rails make mounting an optic fast and easy on the MVP Predator.

The 18.5 inch bull barrel has six-groove rifling at a 1-in-9-inch rate of right-hand twist and an 11 degree taper on its crown to protect from accuracy killing gouges from bumps. The fluting is mean to decrease weight and add surface area for cooling, but it still heats up to untouchable after a few rounds. The fluting looks cool though. Both the receiver and barrel have a matte-blue finish that complements the laminate stock well.

Mossberg MVP Predator

An 11-degree taper at the muzzle end protects the rifle’s 1-in-9-inch rate of twist rifling.

At the Range

Due to some technical difficulties we were only able to test this rifle with Hornady 55-grain GMX Superformance, ammo. Five round groups were in the half inch range at 50 yards with the Meopta scope set at 4x. This would equal about one MOA, or “minute of angle,” and should have meant that at 100 yards 5 shots would print into one inch or so. Our actual groups were closer to an inch and a half, probably the result of late afternoon Florida sun right in our faces and the fact that we were only shooting at 4x magnification (excuses blah blah blah). Upon further research after the fact, other reviewers have had slightly better results with the 75 grain Hornady Superformance, so we’ll try that next time. Average muzzle velocity for the load was 2,847 fps according to our Competitive Edge Dynamics M2 chronograph. That is over 400 feet per second slower than the 3275 fps this load delivers from a 24″ rifle barrel. Keep this in mind when buy a short barreled .223, including M4 length ARs. The .223/5.56 is a fast cartridge and when the barrel is shorter a lot of gun powder burns outside the barrel, significantly reducing velocity.

The choice to buy a bolt gun that takes both AR-15 mags and ammo is a nice choice to have. Mossberg’s execution of a great idea on this gun seems have really been done well. Looking around GunsAmerica and the rest of the web there are very few MVPs available right now, but they are being produced and shipped by Mossberg, so see if your local stocking dealer has one or can get you one. What other reviews we could find on the MVPs have been universally positive, and this was our experience as well. Though they aren’t among the least expensive bolt action rifles, the MVP series from Mossberg seems to be a lot of gun for the money. A lot of people may say “give me a .308” for a sniper rifle, or even a .300 Win. Mag. or .338 Lapua, but almost all police sniper shots are under 80 yards, and if you have to worry about collateral damage, the benefits of the .223/5.56 far outweigh its disadvantage in being able to punch through stuff very well. The Mossberg MVP series isn’t here to tell you which caliber is best for your patrol rifle, truck gun or bugout rifle, but it certainly does give you an interesting new choice.

Mossberg MVP Predator

The magazine release is very close to flush with the bottom of the rifle, which could present a challenge when wearing gloves.

Mossberg MVP Predator

The 18.5-inch bull barrel is fluted, which adds to the Predator’s appeal.

Mossberg MVP Predator

A spiral-fluted bolt also adds to the overall looks of the Predator.

Mossberg MVP Predator

Recoil was as expected, minimal, when shooting from the bench or prone.

Mossberg MVP Predator

There is no accuracy-robbing pressure applied to the Predator’s barrel, thanks to its free-floating design.

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  • Makes me laugh December 31, 2015, 9:31 pm

    With all the keyboard snipers out there, it’s a wonder that the military could function at all if everyone was a sniper! LOL

  • Lance Reidsma December 13, 2015, 9:40 pm

    I love my Preditor—–Have been shooting quarters @100 Yds—I have the biggest scope they put on them

  • Lance Reidsma November 22, 2015, 5:34 pm

    Love my Preditor—-5.56/223—–shoot quarters at 100 yds—Sweet !

  • Lance Reidsma November 22, 2015, 5:32 pm

    Love my Preditor—-5.56/223—–shoot quarters at 100 yds—Sweet !

  • Rudy Trine October 25, 2015, 4:40 pm

    Tromix makes an aluminum maxwell and trigger guard for the MVP. I put both on my rifle and the magwell takes all the slop out and it works perfect.

  • Mark August 23, 2015, 8:03 pm

    I just recently bought both MVP rifles and although most every one has been talking about the 223 and I like it also ,but the 308 is very good also. After shooting the 223 I thought the 308 had a hard road to hold to keep up with it ,but I was defently wrong it shot just as well with the same trigger pull that was surprising and the same accuracy . It will be hard to decide whtch one I will be taking to the field to hunt but then again I can always take both. If you like the 223 you should look into the 308 as well.

  • Mike February 28, 2015, 11:56 am

    I just picked mine up and am trying to get it to hold one of my AR mags. They seem to fit but wont catch, they just fall out.

  • Jerry Murphy February 18, 2015, 2:18 pm

    I have had my MVP for about 6 months, I shot Hornady 55 gr. v-max factory ammo to start with and got consistent 3 shot groups slightly under an inch off the bench at 100 yds. Some other ammo I tried Winchester Razorback, PMC 55gr. FMJ, and Federal Fusion for AR type rifles shot under 1.5″ for 3 shots at 100 yds. I am a reloaded and have done so for over 50 yrs. With the proper load which consists of a 55gr. Nobler BT bullet with CFE223 powder a Remington 7.5 bench rest primer and Hornady brass I consistently git 3 shot groups in the half inch range at 100 yds. The MVP will shoot but you have to find what it likes. Curiously I found out that my MVP did not like fire formed and neck sized cases, it likes them full length sized. I also had a minor problem with the stock touching the barrel on the left side which led to poor grouping during my time with the MVP, a little sand paper on a dowell rod cured this problem and the MVP is back to shooting. As far as scopes go I personally like some magnification, I have a Hawke 4-16 with paralex adjustment and an illuminated dot reticle which suits me fine. Best of luck with your MVPs.

    • Phil Andersen October 1, 2016, 9:52 am

      I found that the maximum OAL I could load into the magazine is 2.275.
      Are there any magazines that will allow a little longer reloads?
      Going out to the lands measured 2.451 with the Hornady 75 gr BTHP (2279).

  • Frank February 16, 2015, 6:31 pm

    I bought a used predator 8 months ago. Fun and it is as good as the shooter. 50 or one hundred yards it a great little rifle! Like metal mags over plastic. Other than that, it goes to the range with me and doesn’t disapoint.

  • Pete December 28, 2014, 4:36 pm

    Pretty gun. Accurate and its really cool to use the AR mags. Satisfied with the
    Performance and it scores high on pride of ownership for a $
    529 gun.

  • kalani December 21, 2014, 11:30 pm

    The bolt hangs up constantly. its a really rough action 300 savage 223 is smoother the top lug like to get snaged on the corner of the trunion/breech(?) it should of been ramped and or beveled in stead of trying to pass flush… a lee-enfeild it is not turning the bolt handle is like a mosin nagant so its a slow sloppy action that is hi-cap (why be hi-cap ifits slow as hell to operate)….. decent trigger pull…… needs an option for and extended mag release lever (again why be high capicity if you have to load slowly like a any other bolt gun) they need a brush stainless finish option…. they are factory rusted especially the bolt face as seen above….. I took my back it had fish scales internally. other then my complaint about its finish the other issues can be fixed. it if was stainless then I might of kept it and modified it to my needs.

  • RAS May 17, 2014, 1:58 am

    I have the predator with a swfa 10×42 mil dot, believe it or not, but my best three shot group to date has been 1/4″ for my best 3 out of 5 shots at 100 yds. Mind you,that is 0.25″ EDGE TO EDGE!!! Not center to center, like I say take it for what u want, but I have no reason to lie. Albeit its not always repeatable.

  • JCitizen December 29, 2013, 3:04 am

    “The fluting is meant to decrease weight and add surface area for cooling, but it still heats up to untouchable after a few rounds”

    Darn right! If you are killing hundreds of prairie dogs on one afternoon, you’d better have more than one of these rifles. We end up either changing barrels, or rifles when we go out! HOT!-HOT! – YE-HAWW!!

  • Richard December 24, 2013, 7:05 pm

    I bought one of the first ones to come to my area in Washington State and I put a Barska 6x24x44 illuminated scope on it and I have a 50yd to 250yd range in my back yard off my man cave deck. I have a cabelas shooting platform and I can put five rounds at 250yds inside the 10 ring time after time. This gun has taken yotes across a canyon I hunt that I had found fresh fawn kills that were yote associated. Now I know that yotes are GOD’s creation and I find myself asking for forgiveness, but I HATE YOTES TO PIECES and will go out of my way to kill them thats why I carry my Mossberg in my truck. I have not missed yet and the canyon I glassed it with a Leopold range finder and it is 448yds across. NUFF said.

  • Richard December 24, 2013, 7:04 pm

    I bought one of the first ones to come to my area in Washington State and I put a Barska 6x24x44 illuminated scope on it and I have a 50yd to 250yd range in my back yard off my man cave deck. I have a cabelas shooting platform and I can put five rounds at 250yds inside the 10 ring time after time. This gun has taken yotes across a canyon I hunt that I had found fresh fawn kills that were yote associated. Now I know that yotes are GOD’s creation and I find myself asking for forgivness, but I HATE YOTES TO PIECES and will go out of my way to kill them thats why I carry my Mossberg in my truck. I have not missed yet and the canyon I glassed it with a Leopold range finder and it is 448yds across. NUFF said

  • Tyler December 23, 2013, 11:41 am

    I’m amazed at all the internet experts, cracks me up. Mossberg makes some great guns with good overall fit and finish . Then again, they are not high dollar hunting or precision rifles. I have a 4X4 in .300 win mag, best shooting hunting rifle I have owned, and I own several. I will get one of these MVP’s because of the ar mags. Thanks for the review! I hope they make this gun in .308 that takes PMAGs.

  • Dave Clark December 23, 2013, 10:01 am

    The 100 yd. group was not that good.
    Why was the bolt shown with rust ?

    • Administrator December 23, 2013, 10:40 am

      We coat all of our guns in sulfuric acid before pictures.

  • Michael Marriam December 23, 2013, 8:24 am

    I bought this rifle. I’m no marksman but I had no problem staying inside the 10 ring at 200 yds shooting a 100 yrd target with a variety of loads. Yes I was using a 4 – 12 vxr ( yes the scope cost more than the rifle) but I have no doubt I could keep the zombies at long range with it. Lol.

  • Ryan December 21, 2013, 10:10 am

    I bought the first one the local dealer had. It will not hold any of my 100 or so 20-100 round mags. Looks like I need to take it back and have it looked at.

  • Larry November 11, 2013, 3:29 pm

    In the manual it says not to take the trigger adjustment screw out because if you do further adjustment is not possible. My question is…if you take the adjustment screw out and the spring…will it hurt the trigger, or just set the trigger to it’s minimum poundage? I cannot get my trigger to go below 3 1/2 pound pull, any further adjustment makes the adjustment screw fall out…

  • Bill W November 10, 2013, 9:57 am

    I just picked up a MPV and the mag well was so loose and sloppy that the only mag that would work(feed) was the factory 10 rnd and it only fed the first three rounds and not smoothly. Only after adding 1/16″ thick piece of plastic to rear side of mag well and sanding it down for a smooth tight fit, did it work flawlessly with all sizes of AR mags(10/20/30rnd). I shouldn’t have to do any machine work on a new weapon. Good job on the bolt to bad they dropped the ball on mag well. I now love this rifle but I will never purchase another Mossberg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Shotgun18 October 29, 2013, 9:53 pm

    I give Mossberg credit for what appears a particularly utilitarian rifle just as offered. I have a Ruger GSR in .308 and am actively seeking the short MVP Patrol version of the Mossberg. From my perspective, I see no need to nit pic any aspect of the MVP. There are so many viable options in so many calibers from so many credible builders it seems a waste of time to critique every aspect of what I suspect is a really nice firearm.

  • Chuck August 31, 2013, 2:25 am

    Just shot a friend’s MVP with the Varmint configuration and I loved it, a very accurate tack driver, we nailed 11 marsh rabbits in Florida’s Okeechobee sugar cane fields’ edges at dusk anywhere from 75 to 200 yds away. The only thing that will ruin your aim down here are the hungry mosquitoes. The rifle shot flawless, I dare to hope that a stainless steel version will be offered in the near future as hardworking guns do tend to rust down here more, if one is in the works I will definitely buy one in SS.

  • Tim August 14, 2013, 3:13 pm

    These are sweet rifles. Now what Mossberg should do is offer this in something different. If in 308 people will say, why the MVP when we already have the Ruger gunsite in 308?
    Mossberg would rule if they would offer this in 260 remington in a 22-24″ barrel.
    Their line up should be
    5.56
    260 rem (22-24″ barrel)
    308 (20″ barrel)
    Id own all three

  • Woodchucker July 5, 2013, 2:38 am

    It is.

    Several folks on the mvp forum have been shooting them with excellent results.

  • pintail June 1, 2013, 10:34 pm

    perfect platform for 300 blackout!

  • Jay May 3, 2013, 5:42 pm

    How about chambering MVPs in 6.8spc and use the same AR15 mags?

  • bear April 19, 2013, 1:58 am

    I bought a Mosberg MVP with the 24″ BBL that came with a Harrison bipod on it six to eight months ago. Have a working farm and coming from a military back ground I had to waite some time before I began my ritual tear down and going through the rifle before I tested it. Mosberg did a great job with the over all build, after finding very few high spots in the stock that only took some fine sand paper and a small amount of time the stock was a perfect marriage to the free floating fluted barrel. I then set the trigger pull to a light 2.9 pounds and replaced the factory bases with EGW HD .0 MOA picatinny base and mounted a Hawke 6-24×56 Sidewinder scope with a 4″ sunshade. The weapon is ever thing the Aadmin. had to say about it and more. The weapon shot sub MOA at 50yds, 100yds and had a nice 1.5 MOA triangle at 300yds. Just like the professor said most all police sniper shots are with in 80yds, I would feel confident pulling this rife out and making a solid cold bore shot. Just to let you hunters know I have found fore this spring fawns killed and eating this week by coyotes. I’m not a know it all range bunny, I’m a farmer and my weapons are tools that I use each day. Much love to the 2nd Amendment.

  • Claude April 9, 2013, 9:47 pm

    How long has the MVP series been out? I asked about the bolt action Mossberg that uses the AR-15 magazines at a gun shop and all they had to say was negative things about it. Maybe they were referring to another bolt action Mossberg.

    • Administrator April 9, 2013, 10:52 pm

      It looks like there was a soft launch of some guns in 2012. They just want you to buy more expensive guns.

      • bear April 19, 2013, 3:18 am

        Administrator what’s up! Seven out of ten comments I post on here you trash them. I guess I’ll save my carpal tunnel syndrome for another sight. Was it the Range Bunny comment?
        I know you know I’m right, I just can say it.
        No hurt feelings here I understand. God Bless.

        • bear April 19, 2013, 3:21 am

          Sorry brother I spoke to soon. Please forgive me.

  • Aaron April 9, 2013, 8:06 pm

    I find this an interesting concept. Remington did something simular a few years ago. It was a pump action rifle in .223 that also accepted AR type magazines. I believe it was aimed at the self defense and police markets. I never got to shoot one, but I did get to handle one. It was quick to the shoulder and fast cycling. I don’t think it was a big seller though, as I can no longer find it on the Remington web-site.

  • dale April 9, 2013, 7:16 pm

    I find this a rather interesting concept. Remington did something simular a few years ago with a pump action rifle in .223 and I believe it also took AR type magazines. I believe it was geared towards the home defense and police markets. I don’t think it was a great seller, as I can no linger find it on there web-site. I never got to shoot one, but I did get to handle one, and it seemed to be a nice little package. Quick to the shoulder and fast cycling, for a pump action.

  • Mark April 9, 2013, 6:33 pm

    Nice concept. Next step, which would really get me interested: offer this in 6.8mm SPC.

    • Administrator April 9, 2013, 7:00 pm

      Why not just buy a regular 270? You can’t buy 6.8 at walmart, and usually not even at bass pro.

  • Garth April 9, 2013, 4:04 pm

    I have to agree with a few comments regarding knowing the group shots at a longer distance than 50 Yards.

    Folks, this is a carbine short barrel rifle, not a target rifle. Plus, a .223/5.56 isn’t a heavy bullet which is subject to windage more easily. Longer sniper shots are going to be much better tested/used with a larger caliber above .30 inches. I have to agree with the author’s idea to report as he did.

    Regards,

    • Administrator April 9, 2013, 4:13 pm

      It actually says them if you had bothered to read instead of just looking at the pretty pictures.

  • JTD April 9, 2013, 9:22 am

    While the new MVP predator is welcome addition to the .233/5.56 family to say it is more accurate then any AR15 is simply not true. I challenge anyone on this list to a 100 round match at 200 meters; my AR15 made by DPMS and against anyone shooting the new MVP. A group diameter of 5.75 at 50 yards is respectable, but against my DPMS at 50 yards you lose. At 50 yards each round should be one on top of the other.

    Again I believe Mossberg has come up with a fine rifle and a excellent price for this very lethal weapon. The bolt action with the acceptance of the AR15 magazine is spot on if the accuracy claim is true. Great job Mossberg!

    Good day

    • Administrator April 9, 2013, 10:45 am

      I think you should re-read what it actually says. There are very few budget ARs, under $1,000, that shoot MOA. We have tested Stags, Colts and Armalites that are just over $1,000 that were easily MOA guns. This gun, as others have noted, is retailing under $600 in normal market conditions.

  • bruce w April 8, 2013, 6:53 pm

    Looks a lot like a Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle, and when they first advertised these they said “coming soon in .308”. Any ideas if that is still on the drawing board? I sent an email to Mossberg and the reply was obviously written by someone whose first language is not Engrish, that made no sense at all. Nice predator rifle in .223, but would make a great deer hunting carbine in .308!

  • mike s April 8, 2013, 3:43 pm

    Accuracy Rules! 50 yard test???? Technical problems??? Sounds like it can’t shoot to me…

  • JRoberts April 8, 2013, 2:34 pm

    Great report. Just the kind of information needed for the average guy. This gives the general shooter a realistic standard of expectations for the rifle.

  • DHConner April 8, 2013, 12:33 pm

    Then again, YAWN, 50 yards is not closer to 80 yards than 100 is. 100 yards has been the standard test of any rifle I’ve ever seen tested anywhere. I can shoot a BB gun at 50 yards. If you’re too lazy to get off the couch, send it to me and I’ll take to Van Meter, Iowa, where I can wring it out at 600 yards. THEN we’ll se what we really have-a “doer”, or a “wanna be”.

    We’ve got guys there who can shoot the mite off the gnats backside. Old George Sutton has taken the State Long Range Rifle Championship at 600 so many times they might just as well leave the title in his name permanently. And with a 5-24 on the bench and an experienced bench rest triggerman, you would have done us all a great service: we would all have an extremely good idea of just what that particular rifle can do. What the average guy can do or how he sets it up is not a true and fair test of the rifle. What counts is what the best shooters can do when set up for extreme accuracy off the bench. Having a brother-in-law who is a Master, Distinguished Rifleman, and President’s 100, his advice and that of High Master’s at the range count, in my book, a lot more than “the average guy”, who may fire less than a box of ammunition per year, as opposed to those who fire so much they wear trigger pins out every season.

    Respecrdully

    • Administrator April 8, 2013, 12:45 pm

      Most people aren’t competitive shooters and our tests try to reflect what most people can expect. We try to use several shooters on everything we test, none of whom are experts in the competitive sense.

      • mike July 2, 2013, 5:35 pm

        Military zeros at 25 meteres. I’ve shot sniper competitions for years for the military. Taught at the USAF CLOSE PRECISION COURSE at Camp Robinson Ar from 99-09 and whoever says shooting 50 yards or less is just being lazy is crazy . Short range shooting will Make you a better shooter its better to learn n understand fundamentals. I’ve shot with and taught many presidents and governors 100 n 10 and if any of them will be honest n not be a cocky ass they will tell you to shoot at 25- 50 it will make you a better shooter. We taught to shoot out to 1200 meters but it don’t matter what gun u use if you don’t have the basics down.

        • mike July 2, 2013, 5:43 pm

          Also if the BEST SHOOTERS are shooting a basic $600 gun in competitions then they have major issues. this gun is a gun for the average basic shooter who won’t have a 600-1000 yrd range. do you realize how few those are in the US? . And I shoot 1000s n 1000s of rds thru my guns n competition custom guns n if ur wearing n breaking pins yearly I think id try one of these $600 mossbergs

  • Earnest Odom April 8, 2013, 12:28 pm

    I wonder if anyone else will follow this design. I have a Savage 223 ,$350, and always wanted to convert it to a clip gun because of the time lost loading 5 rounds from the top. When I encounter several targets, 5 rounds is the END of the hunt, reloading at this point is useless the targets are gone.

  • Jordan Inman April 8, 2013, 12:24 pm

    I actually purchased this rifle through Cabelas back in novemeber, I was tired of prairie dog hunting and either having only 5 shots with my bolt action or using my ar15 and wasting ammo. Glad I got it, shot several one inch groups at 250 yards from bench using a $200 dollar Nikon scope. As for the jiggly magazines I noticed the poly ones are worse fitting than the cheap steel ones. Overall great rifle especially for an ad enthusiast who has tons of mags. Oh and also I only paid 550 at Cabelas so apparently Mossberg has decided to up the price a bit.

    • David Pittelli April 9, 2013, 7:39 am

      I just checked Cabela’s online (4/9/13), and they have it for $569.99 with a 24″ barrel and 10-round magazine.

  • Brandon Hatfield April 8, 2013, 12:12 pm

    I got one for christmas from my fiance and i love it. I threw a cheap bushnell and sited it in at 100 yds and its turned out to be my new favorite rifle. killed a yote at 300 yards no prob. love love love the mvp series from mossberg

  • kawa April 8, 2013, 12:11 pm

    I just took delivery of my predator and although have yet to put rounds down range I am thrilled at the quality of this piece. Now to put the right scope on it and viola…here I come.

    Good job Mossberg.

  • Glen April 8, 2013, 10:17 am

    Why even report a group size at 50 yards unless the rifle was a .22 LR. A .223 is for shooting longer ranges than 50 yards so reporting groups sizes from 100 to 300 yards would be more indicative of the rifles potential.

    • Administrator April 8, 2013, 11:43 am

      Again, (yawn), nearly all sniper shots in the US are under 80 yards. We could have put a 5-24 scope on it and probably shot close to half inch groups at 100 yards, but would that be indicative of how the gun will most likely be used in the field? Our choice of a 1-4 for this gun is most likely close to how most people would outfit it.

    • Brandon Hatfield April 8, 2013, 12:15 pm

      If u go go on youtube there are dozens of videos of people using this rifle over 50 yards and its very accurate

      • TIM B December 23, 2013, 7:59 pm

        I agree with Glenn
        50yd accuracy report is somewhat, not needed. Give us a 100yd accuracy with good ammo or handloads. I see you only did your accuracy test with Hornady ammo. Every gun is different…Use some Black Hills ammo, Federal Match and Hornady etc.. Give us a 100,200yd accuracy and don’t give us “the sun was in our eyes or setting”, come on your didn’t due justice for this rifle by shooting at this certain time of day nor the 1-4x scope you put on it.
        I of all people shouldn’t critique the author or reviewers, but you didn’t due any justice for this rifle or Marlin Firearms in showing the public of the accuracy potential of this rifle/product.

        • Administrator December 24, 2013, 11:14 am

          This is not and is not sold as a gun in the higher echelon of accuracy standards. Go find another review online or even in print that is more thorough and honest.

  • John April 8, 2013, 9:16 am

    They need to offer it in a lefty.

  • Karl April 8, 2013, 8:00 am

    Why dont these come with BUIS? Only then will they be a home run IMO.

    • Brent April 8, 2013, 10:43 am

      Karl,

      If you followed the link to the Mossberg MVP webpage, you would see that the “Patrol” model does indeed come with iron sights, as well as a threaded barrel option.

  • Mark Shean April 8, 2013, 7:48 am

    I like this Mossberg. I would also like to see it in a typical configuration with a built in 5 to ten shot spring loaded magazine, with a 1903 style bolt action platform (load from the top) where the need to buy/find expensive or even possibly ‘outlawed’ AR style magazine’s would not become an issue in some states. As a varmint gun it would have great appeal for many hunters in my opinion.

    • Steve April 8, 2013, 9:49 am

      I think I have found my next rifle. BTW… for hunters, 5 and 10-rd mags for AR15 are available for around $20.

      • marc April 8, 2013, 1:27 pm

        I wish…I am in NY now and finding cheap 10 round mags is like finding 25 cent per round .223

    • Dogkiller February 24, 2015, 10:43 pm

      Just got mine 20in barrel. Love it zero at100 hits at metal targets at 300 no problem. My new dog gun

    • dale stephenson September 15, 2015, 1:16 pm

      is the mossburg 204 and 223 mvp use the same stock

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