Wedgetail Industries MPR 308 Review: Australia’s Modular Pump-Action Powerhouse for Pest Control & Target Shooting
If you’re on the lookout for a reliable, versatile, and rugged pump-action rifle designed and made right here in Australia, the Wedgetail Industries MPR 308 deserves your attention. After spending hundreds of rounds through this rifle and customizing it to fit my shooting needs, I’m excited to share my detailed review of the Wedgetail MPR 308 — a gun that balances precision, durability, and modularity perfectly.
Introduction to the Wedgetail MPR 308
As an Australian firearms media creator, I’ve had the privilege of handling some incredible firearms, but the Wedgetail MPR 308 stands out for many reasons. Made in Victoria by the Australian company Wedgetail Industries, this pump-action rifle is chambered in .308 Winchester and classified as a Category B firearm in most Australian states. While it's unfortunately not available in NSW, ACT, or Tasmania due to restrictive appearance laws, it's widely accessible for shooters with the appropriate license in other states.
First Impressions: Build Quality & Design
Picking up the Wedgetail MPR 308 immediately impresses with its exceptional machining and finish quality. Coming from a machinist background myself, I appreciate the attention to detail—beveled edges and a smooth, quality finish throughout the rifle. Its design takes cues from semi-automatic rifles, which is why it’s visually striking but also why some states restrict it.
This modular rifle is designed to be highly customizable. It’s compatible with industry-standard accessories, allowing you to tailor it specifically to your needs, whether that’s for pest control, or target shooting.
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Action and Operation: How the Pump Works
The pump action on the Wedgetail MPR 308 is simple, reliable, and built to last. With a loaded magazine, sliding the pump back pulls the bolt to eject the spent cartridge and chambers the next round with ease. The bolt is spring-assisted with a buffer tube, ensuring smooth operation even under tough conditions.
A mechanical safety switch, similar to that found on AR platforms, is intuitive and easy to operate with your thumb. The trigger is a mil-spec trigger, requiring slightly more finger strength than competition triggers but perfectly suitable for a pump-action rifle designed for durability and practical use.
The rifle is designed to withstand hard use — you can slam the pump back and forth aggressively without worrying about damaging the mechanism. This robustness is critical for pest control shooters who might need to dispatch multiple targets quickly.
Modular Setup and Customizations
I’ve extensively customized my Wedgetail MPR 308 to suit my shooting style and media work. Some key upgrades include:
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Long Handguard: I swapped the original shorter handguard for the longer version to gain more rail space for accessories such as bipods and lights without interfering with the pump action.
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Blast Deflector: This reduces felt recoil and muzzle blast, enhancing comfort during extended shooting sessions.
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Magpul Accessories: To match my preferred aesthetics and functionality, I fitted tan Magpul stocks and grips, including a handy oil bottle holder integrated into the grip.
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Flip-Up Iron Sights: These provide a reliable backup when my optic is off.
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Front Stop with Metal Teeth: Great for stabilizing the rifle when shooting off barricades or natural rests like fence posts.
Optics and Sight Setup
For optics, I run a ZeroTech Vengeance 1-6x24 scope on a Warne Ramp 30 mount, which includes offset rails for mounting secondary optics. Paired with this is the new ZeroTech Halo Enclosed reflex red dot, a fully enclosed red dot designed for rugged environments where dust and moisture can be an issue.
This setup lets me seamlessly transition between medium-range shots and close-quarters targets by simply rolling the rifle in my hands without losing grip or control—a huge advantage in dynamic shooting situations.
Cleaning and Maintenance
One of the best features of this rifle is how easy it is to clean and maintain. The upper and lower receivers separate with simple push pins, allowing quick access to the bolt carrier group. You can remove the bolt for cleaning without disassembling the entire rifle, making it ideal for field stripping after long days of shooting.
Ammo Tested: Fiocchi EPN 150 Grain
I’ve tested various ammo through the Wedgetail MPR 308, but my favorite has been the Fiocchi EPN 150-grain rounds. These feature an expansive polymer nose that disintegrates on impact, ensuring excellent bullet expansion and stopping power — perfect for taking down larger feral pests like red deer and wild pigs across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
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Final Thoughts: Who Is This Rifle For?
The Wedgetail MPR 308 is a robust, versatile, and well-built pump-action rifle ideal for pest control, target shooting, and media creators like myself who need a reliable workhorse. Its modular design lets you customize it to your specific needs, and the Aussie-made quality is top-notch.
Whether you want a durable rifle for professional pest management or a flexible platform for shooting sports, the Wedgetail MPR 308 delivers consistent performance and ease of use in a sleek, modern package.
