Rifle Brand · Mossberg
Mossberg rifles: brand guide for hunters
Researched by James · Updated September 26, 2026 · Editorial policy
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Founding, family ownership and manufacturing locations come from Wikipedia's O.F. Mossberg & Sons entry. Current Patriot rifle pricing comes from Mossberg's own site. Full methodology & editorial policy →
I hunt with airguns, not centerfire rifles, but Mossberg's Patriot comes up constantly in beginner-rifle conversations alongside Savage and Ruger, so here's what's actually verifiable.
Quick facts
| Founded | March 1919, by Oscar Frederick Mossberg with sons Iver and Harold |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | North Haven, Connecticut |
| Where made | United States; over 90% of production is at Mossberg's Eagle Pass, Texas plant, expanded in 2013 |
| Parent company / owner | None; still family-owned five generations later, currently led by CEO Alan Iver Mossberg Jr. |
| Known for | The Model 500/590 shotguns first and foremost; the Patriot bolt-action for rifles |
| Typical price range | About $515 (Patriot Synthetic) to $1,085 (Patriot LR Tactical) |
| Warranty | No single published universal term; coverage details ship with each firearm's paperwork |
Current lineup for hunters
| Model | Type | Calibers | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot Synthetic | Bolt-action centerfire | .243 Win, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08, .350 Legend, and more | About $515 MSRP | A budget first deer rifle |
| Patriot Walnut | Bolt-action, wood stock | Same range as Synthetic | About $721-$739 MSRP | Hunters who want traditional looks at a modest premium |
| Patriot Predator | Bolt-action, threaded barrel | Common predator/deer rounds | About $553-$658 MSRP | Predator hunting and suppressor-ready setups |
| Patriot LR Tactical / LR Hunter | Bolt-action, long-range trim | Long-range calibers incl. 6.5 PRC, 300 Win Mag | About $1,085 MSRP and up | Hunters stretching shots past 400 yards |
The Patriot's core deer calibers overlap directly with best deer hunting calibers, and pairing one with the right glass starts with best scope for deer hunting.
Best Mossberg picks for hunting
- Patriot Synthetic — the value pick, compared directly against Savage, Ruger and Tikka in my best beginner deer rifle guide.
- Patriot Walnut — worth the modest step up if you want a traditional wood stock without leaving the Patriot platform.
- Patriot Predator — a solid choice if you're also running a suppressor or want a threaded barrel from the factory.
Pros and cons
Good fit
- Budget-conscious buyers who want a name-brand American rifle
- Hunters who already trust Mossberg's shotguns and want to stay with a familiar brand
Look elsewhere
- Buyers wanting a deep, historic centerfire-rifle specialist — that's Mossberg's shotgun side, not rifles
- Anyone who wants a lever-action or semi-auto centerfire hunting rifle; Mossberg's hunting-rifle lineup is bolt-action only
How Mossberg compares
Against Savage's Axis and Ruger's American Rifle Gen II, the Patriot sits in the same $500-900 price bracket, and the decision usually comes down to stock ergonomics and trigger feel rather than a clear accuracy gap between the three. Where Savage leans on its AccuTrigger and Ruger leans on brand reputation and its Marlin lineup, Mossberg leans on being the company that's kept your grandfather's shotgun running for a century, applied to a modern hunting rifle.
Verdict
The Patriot is a legitimate, affordable hunting rifle from a company with an unusually long, stable family-ownership history — just go in knowing Mossberg's real specialty is shotguns, and its rifle lineup, while solid, is comparatively narrow next to dedicated rifle makers.
If a Patriot would be your first centerfire rifle after starting with an airgun, pellet gun vs PCP: which should you buy first covers that earlier choice, and how to teach someone to shoot safely covers the same fundamentals that carry over to a first centerfire rifle. Once the rifle and scope are both in hand, how to sight in a rifle scope is the next step.
FAQ
Is Mossberg a good rifle brand?
Yes, with a caveat: Mossberg is primarily a shotgun company (the 500 and 590 are among the best-selling shotguns in America), and its rifle lineup is smaller. The Patriot bolt-action is a genuinely solid budget hunting rifle, but Mossberg doesn't have the decades-deep centerfire-rifle specialization that Ruger, Savage or Remington do.
Where are Mossberg firearms made?
In the United States. Corporate headquarters remain in North Haven, Connecticut, but more than 90% of Mossberg's shotguns and rifles are now produced at its Eagle Pass, Texas plant, following a 2013 expansion there.
Who owns Mossberg?
Mossberg is still family-owned, five generations after Oscar Frederick Mossberg founded it with his sons Iver and Harold in 1919. It's widely cited as the oldest family-owned firearms manufacturer in America, currently led by CEO Alan Iver Mossberg Jr.
What is the best Mossberg rifle for hunting?
The Patriot, in Synthetic or Walnut trim depending on your budget and taste. It's Mossberg's dedicated bolt-action hunting rifle, sold in common deer calibers from .243 Winchester up through magnums like 300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm PRC.
What is the best Mossberg rifle for a beginner?
The Patriot Synthetic, starting around $515 MSRP. It's one of the more affordable name-brand bolt-actions on the market and is covered alongside Savage, Ruger and Tikka in my best beginner deer rifle guide.
Does Mossberg make anything besides shotguns and the Patriot?
Yes — Mossberg also sells the Plinkster line of rimfire semi-autos and the MVP series of tactical bolt-actions built around AR-pattern magazines, but for hunting purposes the Patriot is its core centerfire offering.
What is Mossberg's warranty?
Mossberg doesn't publish one simple, universal warranty length across its whole catalog online; coverage details are included with the owner's manual for each firearm, and Mossberg's customer support handles service requests directly. Check the paperwork that ships with your specific model or contact Mossberg for current terms.
Is Mossberg cheaper than Ruger or Savage?
Roughly comparable at the entry level — the Patriot Synthetic's $515 starting price sits right alongside Savage's Axis and Ruger's American Rifle Gen II, so the choice usually comes down to stock feel, trigger preference, and caliber availability rather than a real price gap.