Mossberg has always been known as a maker of affordable, quality shotguns. I own a few and have always liked them, but I was not aware that Mossberg made a rifle until two years ago when a friend of mine who isn't really a gun guy showed up in deer camp with a brand-new Model 100 ATR in .270. He bought it at Wal-Mart, complete with a scope, for $289.

And then I shot it.

The rifle showed promise when my friend shot it. He isn't the greatest shot in the world, but the bullets were landing in nice little triangles. When my buddy had zeroed it to his satisfaction, I took a turn. My first group, with Winchester's 130-grain Power-Point factory load measured around a half-inch. Subsequent groups were equally impressive. I didn't go right out and buy one, but that gun came to mind during several conversations about accurate, affordable rifles.

A year later, I landed in Rapid City, South Dakota, to test the yet-to-be-announced, top-secret Mossberg 4x4 rifle. My expectations for the new rifle were much higher than when my friend unwrapped his shiny new ATR.

SPECIFICATIONS Mossberg Bolt-Action Rifle
Manufacturer:	O.F. Mossberg & Sons
Model:	4x4
Operation:	Bolt-action
Caliber:	7mm Remington Magnum
Barrel Length:	24 inches
Overall Length:	42 inches
Weight, empty	6.7 pounds
Length Of Pull:	13.25 inches
Safety:	Two positions
Sights:	None; receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mount bases
Stock:	Synthetic
Magazine Capacity:	3 rounds
Finish:	Marinecote
Price:	$481

I was not disappointed in the .300 Winchester Magnum prototype 4x4. Fit and finish were first rate, and it was an attractive and unique-looking rifle that shot the lights out. I had no trouble shooting minute-of-angle groups with it at 100 yards. Steel targets from field positions out to 250 yards were a cinch with the Mossberg 4x4.

In the field the 4x4's new stock handled like a dream. From prone I took a nice pronghorn ram at a hair over 250 yards. The forend rode my crumpled daypack quite well, and my sight picture was rock solid when the trigger broke. I later took a nice bison bull from offhand with it. I leaned against a tree for the first shot, but the second was an offhand snap shot at nearly 100 yards. The rifle came up on target and hung rock steady on both shots.

Once again, I was impressed after a brief encounter with a Mossberg rifle. And I was excited that I was in line to receive a production 4x4 rifle for more in-depth testing. Four months later I had one in my hands.

The 4x4 Rifle
Mossberg's new 4x4 rifle is based on the Model 100 ATR action and is machined from bar stock. Cartridge capacity is four standard or three magnum cartridges in the 4x4's smooth-feeding detachable polymer magazine. The bolt locks up via two large locking lugs, and the right locking lug houses the sliding extractor. A plunger-style ejector is housed on the left side of the boltface. A prominent gas shield on the left side of the bolt protects the shooter in the event of a ruptured case. My sample 4x4's bolt was very smooth with just a minimal amount of side-to-side play.

The new Mossberg 4x4 bolt-action rifle comes with laminated, walnut, or synthetic stocks and is chambered for .25-06, .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .30-06, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .338 Winchester Magnum. Magazine capacity is four rounds of standard cartridges and three rounds of magnum cartridges.

The safety lever is a small, stamped metal piece situated just behind the bolt handle. It is a two-position affair that doesn't lock the bolt. The safety on my review rifle operates smoothly and positively, with a satisfying tactile and audible "click."

The bolt release is a similarly shaped stamping on the left side of the receiver. To remove the bolt, simply hold down the bolt release and retract the bolt.