We spotted the bear’s tracks from atop a windy
ridge. With our binoculars, we followed them to its den and noted
where the tracks appeared to wander aimlessly in a shallow valley.
It was a long way to go to check out tracks, but it was the 12th
day of a 10-day grizzly hunt and I had yet to see a bear. So we crossed
our fingers and headed for the little valley to see if we could find
the boar that left those big tracks. It didn’t take long to get to
the valley, but walking through the soft, chest-deep snow to get
a closer look was, well, a bear. We’d just gotten to a spot from
which we could watch the den when my guide, Earl, exclaimed, “There’s
the bear! Shoot!”
I followed his finger until I saw the brutish bear. It ambled
up the slope with that distinctive, rolling gait that identifies
a big boar. I grabbed my rifle, dropped to a knee and lined up on its shoulder.
I adjusted a bit for the distance and squeezed the trigger. The shot
rocked it, but I quickly worked the bolt and shot again. The bear
stumbled then collapsed and rolled a few feet down the mountain.
I topped off my magazine and watched it through the scope for what
seemed like an eternity, doing my best to keep the rifle steady against
my nerves.
Taking that fine grizzly on the 29th day of grizzly hunting
in two different countries over two years was, for me, the realization
of a childhood dream. As long as I can remember, a big-humped boar with
frosted blond tips and long claws has been at the top of my wish
list. I prepared for that hunt for six months, agonizing over each
piece of gear. But when it came time to select my rifle, I chose
the most accurate .338 Winchester Magnum I’ve ever tested—Mossberg’s
4x4 rifle.
The author used a $500 Mossberg 4x4 .338 Mag. on a grizzly hunt because of its accuracy with Nosler Partitions.
The 4x4’s action is machined from bar stock. Its solid bolt
locks up via two robust locking lugs. A sliding extractor is fitted into
the right locking lug, and a plunger-style ejector is housed in the
left side of the bolt face. A large gas shield on the left side of
the bolt protects the shooter. The test rifle’s bolt was slick, with
no excess play. The 4x4’s polymer magazine is a four-round, detachable
affair. The one on my test rifle fed flawlessly and was easy to load
and insert. The bolt release and the two-position safety are actuated
by small, stamped metal pieces. Neither is fancy, but both function
as intended. Both engaged positively and worked smoothly.
Like all Mossberg rifles, the 4x4’s barrel is free-floated,
button-rifled, and devoid of sights. A recessed crown is standard. The test
gun—like all the magnum calibers—has a 24-inch barrel, while standard calibers
come with 22-inch tubes. Weaver scope bases are affixed to the receiver
at the factory. The test rifle’s barreled action was finished in
Mossberg’s corrosion-resistant, silver Marinecote, which was a pleasing
contrast to the black, synthetic stock. The rifle is also available
with a laminated wood stock.
Some of the 4x4’s more distinctive stock features include
a vented fore-end, and a radically skeletonized buttstock. The buttstock also
has an unusual Monte Carlo cheekpiece and a good, soft recoil pad.
The trigger guard and both polymer sling swivel attachment points
are molded into the stock. The magazine release button is recessed
into the stock in front of the magazine.
As radical as it appears, the 4x4’s stock is blessed with
traditional handling qualities. Its dainty wrist and slim fore-end give it
a lively feel, while the Monte Carlo and short length of pull (13.25
inches) made the gun shoulder easily.
When I first opened the 4x4’s box, I was prepared to add it to the
“good gun for the money” category. After all, I wondered, how good
could such an inexpensive rifle be? I wasn’t expecting much when
I mounted a Leupold 3.5X-10X riflescope on it and headed off to the
range. But, boy, was I surprised.
The trigger was a bit mushy, and broke at 5 1/2 pounds. But
I was pleasantly surprised to see my first group land in a neat, 1-inch
triangle. Subsequent groups were, with a few exceptions, even better,
with the best group measuring an incredible .39 inch with Federal’s
210-grain Partition load.
Even more impressive than the accuracy was the Mossberg’s
minimal recoil. I attribute this to its good stock 
design and the flexible
polymer material. Theoretically, a stiff stock is better. But in
the case of the 4x4, I believe the stock’s flex dampened the recoil
considerably. I don’t know if all 4x4s shoot sub-minute groups, but
the four I’ve tested in the last year all did with at least one load.
The .338 Winchester reviewed here was the most accurate .338 Win.
Mag. I’ve ever tested, regardless of price.
NRA members,
if you already receive American Rifleman or America's
1st Freedom you can add American Hunter
to your reading list for just $9.95,
by calling 877-672-2000.
Mossberg 4x4
203-230-5300
mossberg.com
Type: bolt-action rifle
Caliber: .25-06 Rem., .270 Win., .30-06, 7mm Rem. Mag, .300 Win.
Mag., .338 Win. Mag. (tested)
Barrel: 22" (standard), 24" (magnum); 1:10” twist
Trigger: single stage
Magazine: detachable polymer; 5-shot capacity (standard), 4 (magnum)
Sights: none; Weaver scope base installed
Safety: two-position
Stock: synthetic, wood or laminated wood; length
of pull—13 1/4"
Overall Length: 40" (standard), 42" (magnum)
Weight: 6.9 lbs.
Metal Finish: Marinecote
MSRP: $437-$611
