Mossberg Patriot Predator .450 500 Bushmaster

Last spring I attended the Hoosier Outdoor Writer’s Association’s (HOW) annual meeting. I’ve been a member since 1971 and was president in 1973. This is a good group of writers from all walks of life with a common interest. The grand finale of the conference is the HOW raffle.

We have a couple of members with solid links to manufacturers who make goods for the outdoor enthusiast. They donate products realizing there is a good chance they will get some press, but it is not an obligation on the part of the writer.

In the last few years, I have won a CVA Muzzleloader, a 1911 Remington pistol, three Mathew’s bows, an ice shanty and a lot of other fine products. At the end of the raffle, which we use as a fund-raiser, we try to trade for the things we would rather have. For instance, I won a bow and was able to trade lures and ammo for archery accessories to compliment my new weapon.

There is a general raffle and a separate “Gun Raffle.” Only active writers can buy tickets for the latter and they are $20 each. I purchased five and there must have been 80 tickets in the drawing. At hand, was four guns and a Mission bow. I won the bow and a Mossberg Patriot Predator .450 500 Bushmaster rifle.

THE ROUND

This is a big cartridge that can push a 250-grain bullet downrange with great accuracy. One test had the gun zeroed at 200-yards. At 250-yards the bullet only dropped another 4.5-inches. One range test held a group of 1.5-inches at 100-yards. This round is legal for hunting deer on private and public land in Indiana.

The Mossberg Patriot 500 Bushmaster has a spiral bolt-action with a free-floating barrel and lighting bolt trigger. The barrel on the Mossberg Bushmaster is 20-inches with a 1/18-twist. The barrel is also also threaded for a suppressor and/or muzzle-break. The later might be a good addition to cut recoil that is about the same as a .12 ga. Shotgun.

A rail is iincluded on this Mossberg  for easy scope mounting. It has a magazine capacity of three plus one in the chamber.

The ammo is a little hard to find. Check with your local gun shop, Cabela’s has them sometimes or order online.

The price of this gun is surprisingly low coming in under $400. A heavy load such as the .450 Bushmaster demands a quality scope.

I have been hunting with a .44 magnum, lever-action Marlin, a gun I love. However, I am excited to give the .450 a try. I will use the bushmaster on a state park hunt should I get drawn.

Due to the state legislature passing a bill, at odds with our DNR, There are cartridges that are legal on private land, but not on public property. Do some research at www.IN.gov/dnr or search “Legal cartridges for deer hunting Indiana? Passed by the legislature for private property, the new law is scheduled to expire after the 2020 deer season. At which time the DNR will submit an impact report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Indiana remains a safe state to hunt deer.

SPECS

• Manufacturer: Mossberg
• Model: Patriot Predator
• Caliber: 450 Bushmaster
• Barrel Length: 20″
• Twist Rate: 1:24″
• Stock: Black Synthetic
• Magazine Capacity: 3 Rounds
• Barrel Finish: Matte Blue
• Other Features: Spiral Fluted Bolt; Weaver-Style Base

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