Mossberg 715T Tactical .22 Rimfire

by
posted on June 27, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ot_mind_ah2015_fs.jpg (9)

undefinedOn an early June ground squirrel/coyote hunt in eastern Oregon, I had a chance to test one of the coolest rifles I have shot in a long time—the Mossberg 715T Tactical .22 rimfire. Like many gunmakers, Mossberg is trying to cash in on the AR craze sweeping the country.

The original 715T was introduced in 2010, featuring a carry handle and an MSRP under $300. The rifle was so popular that in 2012, a Flat Top version was introduced, which is what I got to try in Oregon. The difference between the two is that the early model has an AR-15-style fully adjustable rear sight mount/carry handle molded into the polymer outer and a Pyramid-style adjustable front sight. The Flat Top version has a Picatinny rail along with removable/adjustable front and rear sights, and looks more like the M4. In fact, it duplicates the look and feel of today’s AR-platform center-fire carbines.

The Flat Top version features a 16 ¼-inch, button-rifled barrel and a quad-rail fore-end, which allows the addition of lights, lasers and other common AR-type accessories. It also has an A2-style flash hider. The version I shot also featured a six-position adjustable stock from ATI, making it quick and easy to fit shooters of all body types with little fuss. The gun comes with either a 10- or 25-shot magazine, depending on state and local laws. We had the 25-shot magazine, though 20 rounds that was about all I could get into it. The magazine has been designed with a large polymer lower housing that mates well with the rifle, while the slimmer steel upper portion slides quickly and easily into the receiver where it securely latches.

Operationally, I found this little rifle could take some abuse. We ran hundreds of rounds through it without a jam amid minimal barrel cleaning. The bolt locks open when the magazine has been run dry, a feature I like a lot, but the bolt catch is operated manually. This means that to drop an empty magazine the shooter must release the pressure of the bolt against the follower while operating the magazine release lever simultaneously. It takes getting used to, but is no biggie.

Accuracy was pretty good. Of course we were helped by topping the rifle with a superb Swarovski Z3 3-9X36 scope. Winchester Varmint HE ammunition, featuring a 37-grain bullet, seemed to be something this particular rifle liked, as it shot sub-1-inch clusters at 50 yards all day long.

MSRP on this rifle ranges from $344 to $408, depending on the configuration. The version I shot in Oregon has an MSRP of $353.

Latest

SG Banish 46 V2 Lead
SG Banish 46 V2 Lead

#SundayGunday: Banish 46-V2

On this week's #SundayGunday, we're talking about suppressors, specifically the Banish 46-V2, capable of taming nearly every gun in your safe, up to and including the big boys like .338 Lapua.

KelTec Named Official Stage Sponsor for 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is proud to announce KelTec as an official sponsor of the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship, returning to Camp Atterbury, Ind., from September 30 to October 4, 2025.

Thompson/Center Arms Celebrating 60th Anniversary

Thompson/Center Arms is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. Since 1965, T/C Arms has built a legacy rooted in the pioneering spirit of American hunters.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors: Lucy Evans from Georgia and John Bruner from Pennsylvania.

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .30-06 Springfield

I’ve had more than a few requests for this Head to Head, so I figured it was high time to pit two of the early 20th century’s most popular military cartridges against one another. Let's dive into the 7x57mm Mauser vs. the .30-06 Springfield.

NRA Hunter Education FREE Online Course Now Available in Louisiana

The National Rifle Association of America’s award-winning free Hunter Education online course is now available in the State of Louisiana, the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.