View Full Version : Mossberg MVP Thunder Ranch
saddlerocker
05-27-13, 22:05
Call me crazy, But I would really like to get one of these.
http://www.mossberg.com/product/rifles-bolt-action-centerfire-mvp-series-mvp-thunder-ranch/27794
The only thing I wish these .223 bolt guns had was 1:8" twist instead of 1:9"
And its a bit expensive at $900
But a short, handy, suppressor ready, AR mag fed, bolt gun appeals to me.
People have been hoping Ruger would make a GSR in .223 for a while.
It might be worth getting the cheapest model (around $600 I think) and re-barreling it with a 1:8" twist barrel maybe of better quality.
I think the mossberg barrels are easy to swap, just like the savage barrels.
xrayoneone
05-27-13, 22:36
1/8 would have been awesome along with shaving a pound off of it. The thing that holds me back is the bolt. It has to many moving parts. I guess it was the only way to make it work with AR mags but it is a major weak point.
Rebarrelled to 30 blackout...
The MVP Patrol caught my eye, but I haven't had an opportunity to get my hands on one yet. I like the iron sight option and is listed at 7 pounds. I agree with you on the twist rate.
Littlelebowski
05-28-13, 08:16
Someday, I'm going to list all of the Thunder Ranch edition guns.
Rebarrelled to 30 blackout...
I believe they are making one in 300blk. I'd post a link but I'm on my phone and it's too big of a pain. I have a dealer that's going to get me a MVP predator in .308 to try out. They won't be out til later this summer though.
PA PATRIOT
05-28-13, 14:55
I was thinking about the basic patrol but the 1-9 is a killer.
Call me crazy, But I would really like to get one of these.
http://www.mossberg.com/product/rifles-bolt-action-centerfire-mvp-series-mvp-thunder-ranch/27794
The only thing I wish these .223 bolt guns had was 1:8" twist instead of 1:9"
And its a bit expensive at $900
But a short, handy, suppressor ready, AR mag fed, bolt gun appeals to me.
People have been hoping Ruger would make a GSR in .223 for a while.
It might be worth getting the cheapest model (around $600 I think) and re-barreling it with a 1:8" twist barrel maybe of better quality.
I think the mossberg barrels are easy to swap, just like the savage barrels.
There's a Ruger Thunder Ranch Scout bolt gun also no? Other than the basic pump shot gun, I have no experience with Mossberg guns.
What's the quality/fit/finish of their bolt guns like for the $$$?
Really cool concept. Unfortunately it falls in the "neat" category for me. I see little to nothing it could do that an AR couldn't, and the AR is MUCH more versatile. :(
saddlerocker
05-28-13, 15:38
Really cool concept. Unfortunately it falls in the "neat" category for me. I see little to nothing it could do that an AR couldn't, and the AR is MUCH more versatile. :(
I agree however for example here in PA we cant hunt with a semi-auto.
So a handy bolt gun like this has merit.
I was thinking about the basic patrol but the 1-9 is a killer.
Does the 1:9 barrel realy matter. Remington 700's have been built with similar twist in the past and they have worked fine.
I have a similar twist shooting 77gr. and no problems. Although whrn this barrel is done ill grt a 1:8 and see if I get any improvements. Probably will but I doubt it will be earth moving.
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Really cool concept. Unfortunately it falls in the "neat" category for me. I see little to nothing it could do that an AR couldn't, and the AR is MUCH more versatile. :(
For my needs, I'd be interested in that configuration in 308. A good quality AR in 5.56 (which I have) and a scout style bolt gun in 308 would seem a good combination that covers a wide range of potential uses. Quality ARs in 308 start to get pricy but no doubt worth it if one wants to spend the $$$.
For my needs, I'd be interested in that configuration in 308. A good quality AR in 5.56 (which I have) and a scout style bolt gun in 308 would seem a good combination that covers a wide range of potential uses. Quality ARs in 308 start to get pricy but no doubt worth it if one wants to spend the $$$.
Agreed. That, and I've never been overly fond of the .308 AR platform. A short action .308 bolt gun is still pretty compact and tidy.
Agreed. That, and I've never been overly fond of the .308 AR platform. A short action .308 bolt gun is still pretty compact and tidy.
Who makes such a thing in a reasonably priced package?
Who makes such a thing in a reasonably priced package?
Remington makes a 16.5in version of their AAC 700. 1-10 twist, 16.5in barrel, threaded barrel
saddlerocker
05-28-13, 21:17
I have read that the bolt may be the weak point.
Anyone have pictures of one? It would be the same for any of the MVP Models.
Also anyone know what makes the barrels easier to swap?
I read somewhere that Black Hole Weaponry was making barrels for Savage and Mossberg.
It seemed they were implying they are both easy DIY swaps.
Again it would make a great Truck/Farm gun since in PA we cant use a Semi-Auto to pop critters.
I would just like all my ammo to be interchangeable. But I can live with the 1:9.
I have a Surefire 212 suppressor which would add some coolness :laugh:
I really want to like this gun, as I am a fan of compact bolt guns and one in .223 would be a great training rifle for the two practical rifles I own in 308. I just can't get over the design of the bolt and feed from a magazine. One of my 308s had the Robar conversion to M14 magazines done way back in the day. Their approach was to adjust the feed lips to work with the existing bolt. That means each magazine has to be modified to work with the gun, which is not a big deal for me to do for my one rifle but on a production level? Mossberg took the opposite tact, which was to figure out a way for their bolt to work with a stock magazine. Basically, there is a little lever (I forget their term), that when the bolt is open is flipped out via spring power to push the round out of the magazine and then as the bolt goes back into battery it is flush with the bottom of the bolt. I have looked at it on several rifles and it just looks failure prone to me. Reports are about 50/50 for feeding reliably. Part of that I attribute to folks not knowing you need to run a bolt with a good bit of authority on most rifles especially if they start to heat up or get dirty. The other part, well if the angle of the dangle is off it won't feed.
WillBrink check out the Ruger Gun Site. In my opinion it is currently the best option for a compact bolt gun in 308 for general use. It is not a precision rifle, but If you are looking for a 308 rifle to complement an AR for field use it is the one.
WillBrink check out the Ruger Gun Site. In my opinion it is currently the best option for a compact bolt gun in 308 for general use. It is not a precision rifle, but If you are looking for a 308 rifle to complement an AR for field use it is the one.
Thanx. I knew Ruger had something like that. Couldn't remember if it was Thunder Ranch or Gun Site editions! Yes, not looking for a precision gun per se, but reliable, well made, and accuracy "good enough for gubment work" as they say.
What type of accuracy have you heard people getting from that gun in .308 using decent ammo?
I have only shot milsurp so far. I didn't draw a tag last year, and can afford to shoot a lot more on milsurp, and most of my stash is milsurp. If I do my part I get around 2 moa (sometimes a bit better sometimes a bit less). I know several people who have one that I personally know can shoot and with good ammo they are getting around 1 moa, which based on past experience is about what I expect to get if I switched from milsurp.
If you start looking on the internet you will find lots of variation. I think a couple of things are in play here. First is your optics limitations. For example for me the 2.5 Leupold is a 2moa scope no matter the ammunition because that is how precise I can hold with it at distance. Does that mean it isn't a good field scope? No it just means that it might be the issue and not the gun, but since people don't have the experience with it vs other optics on the same rifle they don't realize that it has that limitation. I am not saying that everyone will have the same experience and I have certainly shot tighter groups with one, but on average that is my reality with that particular scope. If you think about it a 2moa group is good for most uses to 400-500 yds. Again it is not a precision rifle so tight groups is not the point. Another issue I see, and I attribute this to the AR world is that most folks seem to mount their optic way to high. It doesn't have a straight stock so you don't need the extra height like on an AR, but if you are used to having to run a high height then a high height is what you go for. The result is a less than ideal cheek weld, and one that for most isn't consistent. Another thing is you have to come off the rifle to cycle the bolt, and if you aren't used to getting into a repeatable position, which only comes from practice, then you are the issue not the rifle. There are other issues I could reference, but what it boils down to is mine and the ones in hands of folks I know can shoot they seem to be a 1 to 2 moa gun depending on ammunition and optics.
I have only shot milsurp so far. I didn't draw a tag last year, and can afford to shoot a lot more on milsurp, and most of my stash is milsurp. If I do my part I get around 2 moa (sometimes a bit better sometimes a bit less). I know several people who have one that I personally know can shoot and with good ammo they are getting around 1 moa, which based on past experience is about what I expect to get if I switched from milsurp.
If you start looking on the internet you will find lots of variation. I think a couple of things are in play here. First is your optics limitations. For example for me the 2.5 Leupold is a 2moa scope no matter the ammunition because that is how precise I can hold with it at distance. Does that mean it isn't a good field scope? No it just means that it might be the issue and not the gun, but since people don't have the experience with it vs other optics on the same rifle they don't realize that it has that limitation. I am not saying that everyone will have the same experience and I have certainly shot tighter groups with one, but on average that is my reality with that particular scope. If you think about it a 2moa group is good for most uses to 400-500 yds. Again it is not a precision rifle so tight groups is not the point. Another issue I see, and I attribute this to the AR world is that most folks seem to mount their optic way to high. It doesn't have a straight stock so you don't need the extra height like on an AR, but if you are used to having to run a high height then a high height is what you go for. The result is a less than ideal cheek weld, and one that for most isn't consistent. Another thing is you have to come off the rifle to cycle the bolt, and if you aren't used to getting into a repeatable position, which only comes from practice, then you are the issue not the rifle. There are other issues I could reference, but what it boils down to is mine and the ones in hands of folks I know can shoot they seem to be a 1 to 2 moa gun depending on ammunition and optics.
Thanx for the intel. I'd expect my uses/recs would be at most, 200-300 yard shots (100 or less being most common however) and medium sized game and general shooting and (my not informed opinion) is that would be acceptable accuracy.
Thanx for the intel. I'd expect my uses/recs would be at most, 200-300 yard shots (100 or less being most common however) and medium sized game and general shooting and (my not informed opinion) is that would be acceptable accuracy.
Of course a .5 moa rifle would be nice and the skill to get .5 moa out of it, but for general use a ton of medium sized game have been killed by iron sighted 30/30s cleanly at the ranges you are talking about. In my opinion, I am no expert, but I have killed a couple of critters over the years consistent 2moa from field positions is plenty good to get the job done. The key is making sure the majority of your practice is from field positions. Just like with an AR shooting a group off the bench is a very different proposition from shooting say a walk back drill.
It seems Mossberg will be making these in .308 that take AR-10 mags. Anyone know anything about these, the MVP in general, or Mossberg bolt guns in general?
The MVP Patrol caught my eye, but I haven't had an opportunity to get my hands on one yet. I like the iron sight option and is listed at 7 pounds. I agree with you on the twist rate.
http://www.mossberg.com/product/rifles-bolt-action-centerfire-mvp-series-mvp-patrol/27755
The Patrol Rifle's MSRP is $681. A more reasonable priced.
LowSpeed_HighDrag
10-24-13, 06:19
I could see its use (for me) if it both cost and weighed less. However, at that price I can simply buy an AR15 and get more utility out of it.
http://www.mossberg.com/product/rifles-bolt-action-centerfire-mvp-series-mvp-patrol/27755
The Patrol Rifle's MSRP is $681. A more reasonable priced.
That is with the standard barrel. Threaded with an A2 brings MSRP up to $698. Wonder what street price will be...
And it looks like the gun is very similar to the Thunder Ranch version (same stock, different color, based on looks), but you wouldnt think 2" of med bull barrel would add 1.25lbs.
One on GB at $650, but I dont know if that is normal price or not, dont really watch mossberg pricing.
I've been seriously considering picking up one of these, anyone have any new insights into how they have held up since this thread was active? I'm interested in whether it's been a solid shooter now that it's been a couple of years since you guys have had them. I want a new bolt gun, I had a Ruger Gunsight Scout a while back but I offloaded it. This rifle has been on my radar mainly because of interchangeability of Mags between this and my AR. I basically only shoot 5.56 and 9mm, so again buying this helps me keep ammo cost down as well. So anyway, any insight into how this gun has held up would be greatly appreciated!
yossarian42
12-11-15, 17:47
I've been seriously considering picking up one of these, anyone have any new insights into how they have held up since this thread was active? I'm interested in whether it's been a solid shooter now that it's been a couple of years since you guys have had them. I want a new bolt gun, I had a Ruger Gunsight Scout a while back but I offloaded it. This rifle has been on my radar mainly because of interchangeability of Mags between this and my AR. I basically only shoot 5.56 and 9mm, so again buying this helps me keep ammo cost down as well. So anyway, any insight into how this gun has held up would be greatly appreciated!
I've been researching them too and it sends they have feeding issues, at least the 556 versions. From what I've watched and read, some mags work better than others (no surprise) but the issue with all of them is too much up and down and front to back play when the mag is seated. This causes misfeeds. Some guys have remedied this by adding a small strip of gorilla tape to the front of the magazine well which reduces the wobble. To me, mossberg needs to address the issue if I'm going to buy this gun.
As far as the thunder ranch version, it's the only one with a synthetic stock, so I don't understand how the hell its over a pound heavier than the patrol model. The rest of them are actualy wood stocks with a weird textured coating on them.
If it weren't for the magazine issues I'd probably get one because I think it's cool, and it will fire 556. But I just can't get past the feeding problems even if I can jerry rig the mag well.
Good info, I figured there had to be a snag with this rifle. For now I'll probably hold off on dropping my spending money on one of these.
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Bolt actions are so fun when shooting just for the pleasure of shooting.
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