This 0.71-inch three-shot group demonstrates the review rifle's accuracy potential. The 7mm Remington Magnum 4x4 rifle's average accuracy for four factory loads and one handload was 0.98 inch at 100 yards.

I also brought out a few of my favorite accuracy loads to see if I could improve on that mark. First, I fired Hornady's 154-grain InterBond load. The InterBond is a great hunting bullet that is also very accurate. Its average for five groups was 1.30 inches--definitely respectable.

Next, I tried Federal's 165-grain Sierra GameKing loading. GameKing bullets drop deer and pronghorn-sized game like lightning, but I wouldn't use them on anything bigger than a deer because they're just too soft. However, they are consistently very accurate, and I thought they might give the Partition load a run for its money.

The 4x4 liked the Sierra GameKings. In fact, its 0.78-inch, five-group average was almost identical to the Partition's five-group average. And, with a biggest group of 0.89 inch, the GameKing load was more consistent. Still, I would choose the 160-grain Partition over the GameKing by virtue of its versatility on game.

I also put five strings of Winchester's 150-grain Ballistic Silvertip load through the 4x4. The Ballistic Silvertip line has always shot well for me, regardless of caliber, so I wasn't surprised that it, too, averaged close to one MOA. The actual average was 1.22 inches.

Since the sample 4x4 seemed to like bullets in the 160- to 165-grain weight range best, I decided to try a pet handload with the Barnes 160-grain X-bullet over 61.5 grains of Reloder 22. This load exited the 4x4's muzzle at a respectable 2826 fps. My first group with this load showed promise. It wasn't a screamer, but the 0.77-inch group was encouraging. I dug in and shot another group, and it measured 0.69 inch. By the time I finished, I had a five-group average of 0.88 inch. I didn't beat the best factory load, but I was pretty darn close!

The 4x4's bolt locks up via two large locking lugs, and a large gas shield on the left side protects the shooter in the event of a ruptured case.

Although my previous experiences with Mossberg rifles had been positive, I was surprised at how accurate this 4x4 was. I have tested many rifles that would shoot a favorite load or two into an inch or less, but not many factory rifles can produce sub-MOA accuracy so consistently with a variety of loads. And its accuracy is even more impressive when you consider the 4x4's low retail price.

I liked the new 4x4 rifle so much that I took it to my friend's ranch to hunt pigs. My daughter, Chloe, and I hunted high and low for a sow suitable for the grill, and on the last morning of the hunt I got a shot at one. The big old sow had come into a large oat patch to feed in the pre-dawn, and when I squeezed the trigger, the 160-grain Nosler Partition smashed through both shoulders and dropped her in her tracks.

I came away from that hog hunt with the same warm and fuzzy feelings about Mossberg's new 4x4 rifle that I experienced after shooting that first 100 ATR rifle two years ago. It is accurate, well made, and has several innovative design features. Rare is the economy-priced rifle that inspires "oohs" and "aahs" from serious gun people, but when it shoots as good as the 4x4 does, no real shooter can help but admire it.