The World's Cheapest Elephant Rifle

Published on February 13, 2026
Duration: 12:35

This review of the Mossberg Patriot in .375 Ruger, dubbed the 'world's cheapest elephant rifle,' highlights its powerful ballistics and budget price point ($349). However, the expert reviewer, with high authority, critically assesses its significant drawbacks, including poor manufacturing quality, plastic components, and critical durability failures like a snapped action screw. The review provides detailed ballistic data and accuracy measurements, ultimately questioning the rifle's long-term reliability despite its raw power.

Quick Summary

The Mossberg Patriot in .375 Ruger, priced at $349, offers significant ballistic power for large game hunting. However, expert review reveals critical durability issues, including a snapped action screw and poor build quality, despite achieving decent accuracy (1.9 MOA) and penetrating thick steel plates.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Mossberg Patriot .375 Ruger
  2. 00:27.375 Ruger Cartridge Overview
  3. 00:52Accuracy Testing: 270gr Hornady Load
  4. 01:46Accuracy Testing: 300gr Hornady Load
  5. 04:02Steel Penetration Tests
  6. 08:20Elephant Skull Simulation
  7. 09:01Rifle Durability Issues & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mossberg Patriot .375 Ruger's price and intended use?

The Mossberg Patriot in .375 Ruger is marketed as the 'world's cheapest elephant rifle' with an MSRP of $349.00. Its powerful ballistics make it suitable for hunting large and dangerous game, though its budget construction raises durability concerns.

How accurate is the Mossberg Patriot .375 Ruger?

During testing, the Mossberg Patriot .375 Ruger achieved a 1.2-inch group (1.9 MOA) at 60 yards with 270gr Hornady ammunition and a 1.21-inch group (1.93 MOA) with 300gr ammunition, indicating decent inherent accuracy for its class.

What are the main durability concerns with the Mossberg Patriot .375 Ruger?

The review highlights significant durability issues, including chipping laminate stock coating and, critically, a snapped action screw during disassembly, necessitating factory repair and raising serious reliability questions.

What are the ballistic capabilities of the .375 Ruger cartridge in the Mossberg Patriot?

The .375 Ruger cartridge demonstrates impressive power, with the 300gr load generating 4,504 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. It easily penetrated 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch steel plates but failed to penetrate a 5/8-inch plate.

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