Mossberg Patriot Predator .450 Bushmaster 20in Threaded Rifle

I ran this Mossberg Patriot Predator through 200 rounds of mixed .450 Bushmaster loads over three range sessions in Montana's wind-prone conditions. The first thing that struck me was the bolt's 60-degree throw—it cleared my scope eyepiece with a full inch to spare, something I can't say about my older Remington 700. The spiral fluting isn't just cosmetic; it shed mud and debris during a simulated field drill where I intentionally dragged the action through gravel. The Cerakote finish showed no wear after this abuse, which matters when you're crawling through brush after wounded game. Compared to the Stevens 334 in .308 Winchester I reviewed last season, the Mossberg delivers substantially different performance within its intended envelope. Where the Stevens holds 1.5 MOA at 200 yards with factory ammo, the Mossberg grouped 2.25 MOA at 150 yards with Hornady Custom—but the .450 Bushmaster impacts with 40% more energy at that distance. For hunters in straight-wall states, that trade-off makes sense; you're sacrificing long-range precision for legal compliance and close-range stopping power. The Mossberg's trigger also breaks cleaner at 3.2 pounds (my measurement) versus the Stevens' 4.8-pound factory setting. Where this platform surprised me was magazine reliability. The polymer mags exhibited slight wobble when fully loaded, and on two occasions during rapid cycling drills, the fourth round failed to feed properly. This isn't a deal-breaker for deliberate hunting shots, but it's something to practice extensively if you anticipate follow-up opportunities. The stock's hollow forend also flexed slightly under bipod pressure—not enough to affect zero, but noticeable through a magnified optic. Mossberg could have added $20 worth of reinforcement here. I'd recommend this rifle specifically to hunters in Michigan, Ohio, or Indiana where straight-wall regulations dictate cartridge choice. It's also viable for feral hog control where thick brush limits engagement distances. Skip it if you hunt open country or value ammunition affordability—the .450 Bushmaster runs nearly double the cost of .308 practice rounds. For the right user in the right jurisdiction, this is one of the most practical solutions available under $600.