SAR 20#2

MVP LC
Mossberg MVP LC produced 1-1.5 inch accuracy with several brands of ammunition.
The LBA trigger is a huge part of the
phenomenal accuracy to cost ratio factor
derived from the Mossberg MVP LC
for any agency considering it. The LBA
trigger is just as important to accuracy
as the Mossberg bolt action and quality
barrel. A rifle’s trigger is the interface between
shooter and rifle and must be right
or accuracy will suffer. Mossberg’s desire
is to give the shooter an enhanced
trigger that is crisp, creep free and fully
adjustable between 2 and 7 pounds.
From the box it measured just below 4
pound pull weight. Without going into
minutia, the LBA’s distinctive “trigger
blade” release lever in front of the trigger
proper is the secret to maintaining
minimal trigger weight, without creep,
while keeping the system safe. The “trigger
blade” must be activated (i.e. moved
rearward into the trigger) before the sear
will move firing the cartridge. A sudden
drop or impact will not do this, even if the
safety is off. This allows the LBA trigger
to be adjusted by the user without having
to resort to an armorer. The LBA’s
contribution to precise accuracy can not
be overemphasized.
The first requirement of a tactical rifle
is precise accuracy. A Leupold Mark IV
6.5-10x50mm scope with mil dot reticle
was mounted on the one piece Picatinny
rail above the MVP’s receiver via
Leupold Mk IV rings. It has the typical
great Leupold reliability, clarity, and image
quality with a near perfect variable
power range for a precision .308 rifle.
Importantly, Mossberg provides the LC
with an integral Picatinny rail so that optics
can be mated right up to the action
for a solid zero maintaining connection
between rifle and optic. Champion tripod
front rest and sandbags were used to
support the Mossberg LC during bench
testing phase of evaluation in conjunction
with supplied bipod.
Various .308 loadings from Black
Hills Ammunition, Federal, Winchester,
and Hornady provided the basis of accuracy
tests. The Black Hills Match loads
tested consisted of 168 grain Match
bullets. The Federal chambering was
the venerable 168 grain Match load that
still serves as the benchmark for performance.
168 grain TAP from Hornady
along with Winchester 168 grain Match
was also used. The Mossberg LC’s 18.25
inch barrel produced velocity in the low
2,600 feet per second (fps) range with
the 168 grain loads. As to be expected
with quality ammunition, velocity figures
within the different loads deviated very
little from round to round as witnessed
shooting over a RCBS chronograph.
The Mossberg MVP LC produced MOA
groups with several different ammunition
brands – an important logistic consideration.
The accuracy figures are based
on firing five three-round groups and
veraging group sizes.
Steel targets were smacked with
ease out to 310 yards using field expedient
rests at Echo Valley Training
Center’s Range #1 stepped berm. While
by no means rivaling a semiautomatic
for pure fire power, the detachable
magazines were handy to recharge the
Mossberg MVP LC after the last empty
case was flipped out on the ground.
Unlike other bolt actions there was no
initial tightness from the new Mossberg
MVP LC’s bolt action. It was “slick” and
smooth as it emerged from the box.
The Mossberg LC’s 18.25 inch barrel
maximizes portability and handling while
maintaining .308 Win. ballistics and terminal
performance. For those who prefer
a bolt rifle in lieu of a military style
AR weapon, the LC is worthy of consideration.
This is due its power, accuracy,
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 57 SAR Vol. 20, No. 2