Affordable Long-Range Precision: Vortex’s New Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm and Mossberg 7mm PRC

Many hunters and long-range shooting enthusiasts are eager to explore the capabilities of the new 7mm PRC cartridge. Others are searching for a versatile setup that can handle both hunting and precision shooting duties. The combination of Vortex’s New Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm scope mounted on a Mossberg Patriot Predator in 7mm PRC won’t disappoint in either application, and the best part is it provides tremendous value for the money. Let’s explore what makes this pairing so appealing for those looking to stretch their shooting distances without emptying their wallets.

Before we get into the specifics of the rifle and scope, let me share a quick history of the 7mm PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge). Hornady introduced it in late 2022 as a long-range powerhouse, designed to bridge the gap between the popular 6.5 Creedmoor and larger magnum calibers. It quickly showed its stuff by offering impressive ballistics, energy retention, and wind-bucking ability at extended ranges. That, coupled with manageable recoil, has made it a winning choice for both long-range hunters and competitive shooters.

The 7mm Remington Magnum has been a highly praised hunting caliber for decades, but the 7mm PRC takes things a step further with modern bullet designs and a case optimized for consistency. With the growing adoption of the 7mm PRC, there’s now an expanding array of factory ammunition choices available to the average hunter and shooter. If you’re not a handloader, the 7mm PRC is definitely worth considering for its versatility and performance potential.

Vortex Strike Eagle Scope

The new Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm offers several great features, especially considering its mid-range price point. If you’re familiar with previous Strike Eagle models, one of the first things you’ll notice is the first focal plane (FFP) reticle design. This allows the reticle to maintain its proportions relative to the target throughout the entire zoom range, a huge benefit for making quick holdovers and windage corrections at any magnification. There’s also a generous 3.5 inches of eye relief, making it comfortable to use even with the increased recoil of the 7mm PRC. Up front, the 44mm objective lens strikes a nice balance between light-gathering ability and overall weight at only 26.6 ounces.

The Strike Eagle offers an impressive adjustment range of 45 MRAD (154 MOA), a crucial feature for long-range shooters looking to dial in precise shots at extended distances. This generous adjustment range, combined with the first focal plane reticle, makes the Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm a versatile option for shooters who might transition from closer ranges out to 1,000 yards or beyond. The exposed locking elevation turret offers tactile, audible clicks at .1 MIL per click, allowing for precise adjustments in the field, and a capped windage turret for hunting use. The simple RevStop zero-reset feature is particularly handy, allowing shooters to quickly return to their original zero after making elevation adjustments – a valuable asset when conditions change rapidly or when moving between different shooting scenarios.

Glass Quality and Reticle

The other major upgrade in the New Strike Eagle is the improved glass quality and lens coatings. This system offers bright, clear images even in low-light conditions – crucial for those prime hunting hours at dawn and dusk. The EBR-7C reticle provides a clean sight picture with clearly defined hash marks for holdovers and wind calls.

That’s all great, but what really makes this scope shine is its versatility. The wide 3-18x magnification range allows you to easily transition from closer shots to extreme distances, especially important for hunting. I measured the turret tracking on this scope and found it to be spot-on, clicking reliably in .1 MIL increments.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Long-range hunters and shooters demand optics that can handle tough conditions. The New Strike Eagle is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum and is nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed for fogproof and waterproof performance. This rugged build quality ensures the scope can withstand the rigors of field use without losing zero or clarity.

Mossberg Patriot Predator

Pairing nicely with the Vortex scope is the Mossberg Patriot Predator chambered in 7mm PRC. This rifle offers impressive accuracy potential at a budget-friendly price. The 24-inch fluted barrel features a 1:8 twist rate, perfect for stabilizing the heavy-for-caliber bullets the 7mm PRC likes to push. The version I tested was the upgraded version with a TrueTimber Strata camouflaged stock with complementing Patriot Brown Cerakote metal finish.

One standout feature is the user-adjustable LBA (Lightning Bolt Action) trigger. You can easily fine-tune the pull weight from 2 to 7 pounds without taking the action out of the stock. I measured the trigger pull weight on this rifle out of the box at just under 3 pounds, crisp and clean with no noticeable creep.

The synthetic stock has been designed with long-range shooting in mind. It features a raised comb for proper eye alignment with mounted optics and textured panels on the fore-end and pistol grip for a secure hold in various weather conditions. The stock felt like much nicer than you would expect on a such an affordable rifle. The fluted bolt was also ultra smooth to cycle and included an oversized bolt handle. Last, the Predator includes a detachable box magazine, making it quick and easy to load and unload the rifle in the field.

Range Time

I took the Patriot Predator and Strike Eagle combo for a range outing on a clear, cool 50-degree day in October with light and variable winds. For ammo testing, I fired three different factory 7mm PRC loads at 100 yards from a stable bulls bag up front and a rear bag. I fired five-shot groups and allowed the barrel to cool between groups. I added my Banish Backcountry suppressor to the rig to reduce recoil and noise from the testing, and it made the fairly lightweight 7 PRC rifle much more manageable and enjoyable to shoot. At 100 yards, this rifle has no problem putting five rounds into respectable groups. From testing the three factory loads, all groups averaged 1 1/8 MOA, with a couple of groups coming in at sub-MOA. 

Hornady Precision Hunter

First, I tested Hornady’s Precision Hunter 175-grain ELD-X load that accompanied with the launch of their 7 PRC cartridge. This round produced the tightest group of the day at 0.75 inches. The 175-grain ELD-X match-grade bullet is an excellent choice for both long-range target shooting and hunting medium to large game.

Federal Terminal Ascent

Next up was the Federal Premium Terminal Ascent 155-grain load, boasting a scorching factory-rated velocity of 3,175 fps. It produced similar results to the Hornady ELD-X load, with groups hovering right around 1 MOA. The lighter bullet weight might give up some wind resistance at extreme ranges but could be an excellent choice for hunters looking to maximize velocity.

Barnes VOR-TX Long Range

The final load tested was Barnes’ new VOR-TX Long Range 160-grain ammo, which boasts a factory-rated velocity of 3,025 fps. This ammunition is loaded with premium all-copper Barnes LRX bullets specially designed not only for precision at long range but unrivaled on-game effectiveness at every range. This round impressed me with its performance, producing groups averaging just under 1 MOA. It should be a great all-around choice for hunters who might need to stretch their shots, but still want devastating on-game results.

Long-Range Performance

After testing the loads at 100 yards, I stretched things out to 1,000 yards using the Hornady Precision Hunter load. The combination of the New Strike Eagle’s clear glass, precise turrets, and the 7mm PRC’s inherent accuracy and flat trajectory made it easy to consistently ring an 8-inch steel plate at 500 yards and larger steel targets at 1,000 yards. The FFP reticle proved its worth here, allowing for quick holdover shots without touching the turrets when I simulated a faster-paced shooting scenario.

If you’re looking for a capable long-range hunting and shooting setup that offers impressive performance without breaking the bank, the Vortex New Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm paired with the Mossberg Patriot Predator in 7mm PRC is an excellent choice. It’s accurate, versatile, and has many features that you’ll appreciate whether you’re in the field or on the range. For more information, visit vortexoptics.com and mossberg.com.

Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm Specifications:

• Magnification Range: 3-18x
• Objective Lens Diameter: 44mm
• Eye Relief: 3.8 in.
• Field of View: 39.3 – 6.7 feet @ 100 yards
• Tube Size: 34mm
• Reticle: EBR-7C (First Focal Plane)
• Parallax Setting: 10 yds. to infinity
• Length: 13.3 in.
• Weight: 26.6 oz.
• Elevation Adjustment Range: 45 MRAD (154 MOA)
• Windage Adjustment Range: 18 MRAD
• Turret Style: Exposed, tactical-style elevation & capped windage
• Adjustment Graduation: .1 MIL per click
• Waterproof/Fogproof: Yes, nitrogen purged

Where To Buy

Mossberg Patriot Predator Specifications:

• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel Length: 24 in.
• Barrel Material: Carbon steel, fluted
• Barrel Finish: Cerakote – Patriot Brown
• Twist Rate: 1:8
• LOP: 13.75 in.
• Overall Length: 44.25 in.
• Weight: 6.5 lbs.
• Stock: Synthetic, with textured grip panels
• Finish: Flat Dark Earth
• Capacity: 4+1 rounds
• Trigger: User-adjustable LBA (Lightning Bolt Action)
• Trigger Pull Weight: 2-7 lbs. (adjustable)
• Sights: None, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
• Safety: Two-position safety
• Magazine: Detachable box magazine
• Bolt: Spiral fluted bolt body with floating bolt head
• Receiver: Picatinny Rail
• Caliber: 7mm PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge)

Where To Buy

Check out Ammo To Go, the ammunition retail sponsor of TTAG, for all of your ammunition needs.

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