Daniel O’Dea
During the past year I’ve had a selection of Mossberg rifles from local distributor Grycol International which I’ve been working my way through for review. To recap, the Mossberg MVP Series incorporates six different rifle lines and even more subvariants as well as various calibre options, the array including the MVP-LC, MVP-LR, MVP Scout, MVP Patrol, MVP Predator and finally MVP Precision. The last in this list happens to be my closing subject for appraisal.
In style and design the Mossberg MVP Precision is a modern, chassis-type rifle with several unique adaptations. To begin with the chassis system completely envelops the barrelled action, extending at the front to a rounded hexagonal shape, M-Lok slotted, barrel shroud and at the rear to an MSR-type receiver extension (buffer tube) which supports a Luth-AR MBA-3 multi-adjustable four-position stock. This must be fixed in NSW.
Quite cleverly the receiver extension leaves the buttstock and barrel bore axis completely aligned on the same plane, an ideal scenario for recoil control as any rearward recoil energy is directed in a straight line back into the shoulder. As the stock has no drop at heel there’s no point at which the direction of recoil energy might pivot causing potential muzzle rise, as with a conventional stock set-up.
The chassis body is extended rearward, leaving a void for the bolt to be drawn into on cycling and the stock has a quick release system so it can be taken out completely for bolt removal and cleaning. You might consider the need to remove the buttstock for cleaning as at best a practical solution to the design. However, if you’re a long-range precision shooter who wants to watch your bullet’s impact through a riflescope, any feature which helps control recoil and muzzle rise would generally be looked at as beneficial.
The chassis body is alloy in construction in a matte hard anodised black finish and the action is bridged with a 20 MOA Picatinny rail for optics fitment. The triggerguard is generous and a recessed scallop out of the right side forward of that provides access to the magazine release while protecting the release button itself from accidentally being bumped and dropping the mag out at an impromptu moment. Directly above the line of the trigger, a shelf gives access to the two-position safety lever while on the left of the receiver another small recess provides access to the bolt release. Lastly there’s a stylish embossed Mossberg ‘M’ monogram on the RHS receiver.
Out front the barrel floats free for a length of 24″ (610mm) as tested in the 6.5 Creedmoor chambering and 20″ in .308 Winchester option. It travels through a slim profiled handguard-come-barrel-shroud which, as mentioned, is compatible with the M-Lok modular mounting system. No M-Lok accessories are included but if you want to mount additional rails, bipod or sling mounts the slots make it easy. The muzzle is also threaded for fitment of a muzzle brake or suppressor where allowed under permit.
The Mossberg Precision chassis has a takedown system to arrange the stock for bolt removal, cleaning and potentially more compact travel and storage arrangements, accomplished via a small black screw knob on the right-hand rear receiver behind the bolt handle. Unscrewing this extends a locking block which then protrudes out of the left side of the rear receiver.
The receiver stub of the buttstock has two lugs with matching keyways to accept the locking block when tightened and, when the locking block is released, these lugs are likewise freed and the stock can be lifted from the rear of the receiver. The locking block and lug recesses are precision machined and once the locking screw is tightened there’s no discernable movement between the two components.
At the rear is the Luth-AR MBA-3 buttstock. Apart from the collapsible feature providing 100mm of length of pull adjustment there’s an additional 25mm at the kick pad and 25mm height adjustment for the cheekrest, both achieved via thumb turn screw knobs. Other features on the buttstock are QD sling cups either side, a short section of rail for fitment of a rear monopod or similar accessories, an ergonomic weak hand support position and flat-bottomed indexing screw to take out any movement on the buffer tube once adjusted to your preferred position.
For testing I was offered a new Nightforce ATACR 5-25×56 F1 riflescope which I torqued down correctly on the Mossberg in a Nightforce 34mm Ultralite Unimount providing another 20 MOA of fixed mount alignment. I was also provided with a Nightforce bubble level top-half scope ring.
On the bench I used my Caldwell Lead Sled to start the sighting-in process and one advantage of being able to remove the buttstock completely was it made boresighting an absolute breeze. With no stock it was easy to look straight through the bore and on my 100-yard target I was on paper with the first shot then, with the rifle locked down in the sled, I simply adjusted the cross-hairs to that first point of impact and was centered.
I had a selection of 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady factory ammo including 129gr American Whitetail, 143gr ELD-X Precision Hunter, 140gr ELD Hornady Match and the ever-reliable 140gr BTHP American Gunner along with some tailor-made loads conjured up using 143-grainers and ADI 2209. Most groups measured around 1 MOA or better with half-inch groups not uncommon and I was suitably impressed as the 140gr American Gunner shot a tight 0.425 MOA group. This budget line bulk packed ammo has never failed to shine.
Rounds are fed through a supplied Gen M3 10-round Magpul PMAG and as I’ve said previously, a primary feature of the MVP series is its ability to accept commonly available STANAG (Standardisation by NATO Agreement) magazines (AR mags). Yet with the MVP in 7.62 NATO/.308 Win, Mossberg use 10-round AR10-type magazines so the platform is more versatile in that it can also accept M14-type mags, quite a feat as the two have completely different lock-up systems. M14 mags are traditionally a ‘rock and lock’ system which would normally locate off a small recess cut out on the front magazine edge and retain via a large lug on the spine. In contrast, AR10-types retain via a slot or recess on the left of the magazine.
With the MVP using M14-types, the lug on the spine becomes redundant with the magazine retained via the locating recess on the front edge. The magazine release operates two separate protrusions within the well which act as magazine catches, one at the front for M14s and one on the side for AR10s. The 6.5 Creedmoor has similar dimensions to the 7.62mm/308 Win Case, so 6.5 CM rifles generally use 308 Win/7.62 magazines. This rings true with your Mossberg Precision chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor where the supplied PMAG is actually stamped 7.62×51 (I had 10-round M14-type mags which fitted and worked just fine in the test rifle as well).
Shooting the MVP Precision, the rifle fed surely and smoothly with solid ejection. The extended bolt handle is well scalloped which the marketing states is to give additional clearance for gloved hands though I’d also say it looks cool. The rifle uses Mossberg’s LBA adjustable trigger (3-7lb) which I’ve experienced in several rifles and would say it’s about as good or better than most factory adjustable triggers out of the box. Time was when the first thing you’d do with a new rifle was send it to your gunsmith for a trigger job, now most factory triggers are effective. A sound trigger goes a long way to providing accuracy and I’ve managed ½ MOA groups with the past three Mossberg MVPs I’ve tested.
If I had to be super critical of the MVP Precision, removing the stock to clean might be a slight pain but the truth is with better barrel manufacturing processes and dirt-free propellants, there’s no need to go overboard with cleaning anyway. A dry patch before you start (if you left oil in the barrel) and an extensive clean at the end of a solid day on the range or a week’s hunting should suffice. Personally, my days of over-cleaning guns are finished.
The only other thing I’d note is the Precision’s slimline barrel shroud is better suited to a bipod than a fixed rest or bag. On a rest the near-rounded profile allows the rifle to roll around a bit, especially when made top heavy with an ample-sized long-range scope mounted. But these are minor observations in an otherwise fine rifle which should provide good service for anyone inclined to give one a try. More at www.grycol.com.au
Specifications
Rifle: Mossberg MVP Precision
Action: Bolt-action (with spiral fluted bolt)
Trigger: Mossberg two-stage LBA system
Calibre: Tested 6.5 Creedmoor (also available. 7.62 NATO/.308 Winchester)
Capacity: 10-round detectable box magazine
Barrel: Medium-heavy profile 24″ (610mm) threaded 5/28×24
Twist rate: One in 8″ (6.5 CM as tested)
Sights: 20 MOA rail
Barrel finish: Matte blued
Chassis: Matte hard anodised with M-Lok fore-end and Luth-AR buttstock
Stock LOP: Adjustable 12.5″-16.5″ (318mm-419mm)
Weight: 10lb (4.54kg) 6.5 CM tested
Length OA: 43.25″ (1105mm).
Price guide: About $2100, check with your dealer