Christensen Arms MPR Review, By Ryan Furman

[Justin Crossley]

Check out this video review that @rfurman24 just put out on the MPR chassis rifle. I also own one along with a few of my hunting and shooting friends and they are a sweet factory rifle.

Christensen Arms MPR Review

 

[Broz]

Great review Ryan as always. Thank you

I was there for the unboxing of this rifle and Ryan is spot on, she was a tack driver with factory ammo from day one.

 

[Diverjeff]

I only have 3 rifles(2 CA)but my 338LM MPR is definitely my favorite,holds 1/2" groups with 300 gr. Berger factory ammo and recoil isn't all that bad(using a T4 Terminator brake).

 

[AXEFORCE6]

My first 6.5 PRC was a MPR. I love the rifle. It shoots everything I put it in. I have taken a couple deer with and have zero complaints. The chassis is a solid platform and the magnetic folding stock is a huge plus. Makes for a better pack.

 

[Maroli]

Thanks for the review Ryan. Great looking rifle and a good review. I was looking into a CA a year ago and went another direction but still would like to own one some day. I noticed they offer both carbon fiber and ss barreled options. Given your choice for either option in a CA, which one do you lean toward and why? Obviously that one was in cf but have you ever used their ss barrels? There ss profile looked like a slimmer barrel. What are the benefits to either. I understand the weight advantage in hunting applications for the cf barrel but are there things either does better in your experience (cool down, cold bore shots, poi shifts, manage recoil)? Thanks for sharing.

 

[Diverjeff]

I went with just the SS on my 338LM and it's definitely slimmer(slimmer than I would have guessed/expected it to be),wasn't sure how it was going to act but does hold 1/2" groups so seems to be fine.Ryan would know which would probably be better to go with though.

 

[tmill308]

Great review!

 

[FURMAN]

Thanks for the review Ryan. Great looking rifle and a good review. I was looking into a CA a year ago and went another direction but still would like to own one some day. I noticed they offer both carbon fiber and ss barreled options. Given your choice for either option in a CA, which one do you lean toward and why? Obviously that one was in cf but have you ever used their ss barrels? There ss profile looked like a slimmer barrel. What are the benefits to either. I understand the weight advantage in hunting applications for the cf barrel but are there things either does better in your experience (cool down, cold bore shots, poi shifts, manage recoil)? Thanks for sharing.

I have not noticed a difference in accuracy but a 26" #4 contour steel barrel weighs near 4lbs while most carbons are 3 lbs and the same length. The carbon also allows a larger brake without looking like an eyesore. With the quality of the carbon barrels I do no see myself going back to steel.

 

[JT_NZ]

My MPR in 300NM finally arrived today after many months of waiting down here at the bottom end of the Earth. Initial impressions are mixed:

• Looks - great.
• Weight - balance is good. Lighter than expected.
• Muzzle brake - will test and compare against a Terminator T3 (Greg lives just up the road).
• Trigger - nice and crisp.
• Bolt - Could be better, Tikka T3 is smoother.
• Pistol grip - getting replaced ASAP with a fatter vertical grip. CA could have done a lot better here.
• Folding stock - nice and secure.
• Stock adjustability - well thought out. Unlikely to move once set.

I have been very fortunate in being able to find Lapua brass, 245gr EOLs and Fed Gold primers. Also got some AR2217 which was not my first choice but we'll see how it goes. Any suggestions on loads based on this recipe?

Cheers,

JT

 

[Diverjeff]

I went through 6 different grips(stock,Hogue,MDT vertical,another MDT I thought had a thumb rest from the pictures[it didn't],Ergo,)until I found one I like which is the "Emperor" from Anarchy Outdoors and does have a great dedicated thumb rest.

"Emperor Grip" Precision Rifle Grip

Anarchy Outdoors is at it again with the Emperor grip. This precision rifle pistol grip is the same as the Anarchy Outdoors Penguin grips except that it is designed for larger hands to fit comfortably around it.

www.anarchyoutdoors.com

 

[OSOK - Crash]

I went through 6 different grips(stock,Hogue,MDT vertical,another MDT I thought had a thumb rest from the pictures[it didn't],Ergo,)until I found one I like which is the "Emperor" from Anarchy Outdoors and does have a great dedicated thumb rest.

"Emperor Grip" Precision Rifle Grip

Anarchy Outdoors is at it again with the Emperor grip. This precision rifle pistol grip is the same as the Anarchy Outdoors Penguin grips except that it is designed for larger hands to fit comfortably around it.

www.anarchyoutdoors.com

I swapped my stock grip out for the MPA grip. Not sure if I like it as much as I was hoping. My next one was going to be the adjustable MDT. What did you not like about that one?

I've seen the Emperor one before, but thought it was gimmicky. What do you like about it?

 

[OSOK - Crash]

My MPR in 300NM finally arrived today after many months of waiting down here at the bottom end of the Earth. Initial impressions are mixed:

• Looks - great.
• Weight - balance is good. Lighter than expected.
• Muzzle brake - will test and compare against a Terminator T3 (Greg lives just up the road).
• Trigger - nice and crisp.
• Bolt - Could be better, Tikka T3 is smoother.
• Pistol grip - getting replaced ASAP with a fatter vertical grip. CA could have done a lot better here.
• Folding stock - nice and secure.
• Stock adjustability - well thought out. Unlikely to move once set.

I have been very fortunate in being able to find Lapua brass, 245gr EOLs and Fed Gold primers. Also got some AR2217 which was not my first choice but we'll see how it goes. Any suggestions on loads based on this recipe?

Cheers,

JT

Totally agree with you on the grip!

 

[Diverjeff]

I swapped my stock grip out for the MPA grip. Not sure if I like it as much as I was hoping. My next one was going to be the adjustable MDT. What did you not like about that one?

I've seen the Emperor one before, but thought it was gimmicky. What do you like about it?

I thought the adjustable MDT was too chunky and couldn't seem to find a consistent grip hold.The Emperor just feels right,has that lip on the bottom for a pinky rest and the thumb shelf/rest is great,easier to have the same hand placement every time.That's me though,go through $300 worth of grips when any will work.

 

[MattyG]

Good review Ryan. I have the MPR in 300 PRC. It shoots great and I love the rifle but I’ve noticed that some of my reloaded rounds are hard to extract after firing. I’m on the 4th firing using ADG brass. I don’t get hard bolt lift but it seems to get hung up when I try to pull the bolt back. I was reading some comments from an old forum about a ridgeline that you seemed to of had the same issue with. Did you ever get that resolved? Any advise? Thanks.

 

[Broz]

Good review Ryan. I have the MPR in 300 PRC. It shoots great and I love the rifle but I’ve noticed that some of my reloaded rounds are hard to extract after firing. I’m on the 4th firing using ADG brass. I don’t get hard bolt lift but it seems to get hung up when I try to pull the bolt back. I was reading some comments from an old forum about a ridgeline that you seemed to of had the same issue with. Did you ever get that resolved? Any advise? Thanks.

Sounds like to me you are experiencing the dreaded PRC tight SAAMI chamber and need to run a AW reamer in that girl.

 

[MattyG]

Sounds like to me you are experiencing the dreaded PRC tight SAAMI chamber and need to run a AW reamer in that girl.

Thanks. I have a new defiance ruckus and a prefit proof competition barrel in 6.5 PRC I just started to break in. Do you suspect I will have this issue with that one as well?

 

[Broz]

Thanks. I have a new defiance ruckus and a prefit proof competition barrel in 6.5 PRC I just started to break in. Do you suspect I will have this issue with that one as well?

I am not familiar enough with the 300 version of the PRC to comment from personal experience. But I have fixed many of the 6.5's by opening up that chamber with the AW 2 reamer. Maybe Alex will see this and weigh in, or someone that has had this issue with a 300 PRC SAAMI chamber.

 

[Ladd]

I am not familiar enough with the 300 version of the PRC to comment from personal experience. But I have fixed many of the 6.5's by opening up that chamber with the AW 2 reamer. Maybe Alex will see this and weigh in, or someone that has had this issue with a 300 PRC SAAMI chamber.

I never had issues with my first 300 PRC like I did with my 6.5 PRC but I wasn’t very far into fired brass, maybe 1X. I ordered and ran the AW2 reamer in anyway shaving off small amounts. I plan to do the same to my newest 300 PRC before it’s even been installed in the action. Probably will do that this weekend.

 

[FURMAN]

Hunting. Hit me up in a couple weeks.

 

[rockwallraider]

great review. Decided to get a MPR in 65 prc for my sons aoudad hunt since it will fold in a backpack.


Starter the break in process today. Here is the first four groups. Each one has a Fowler in them which did not seem to matter. 18 down tube so far

 

[rockwallraider]

On these CA carbon barrels, 38 down the barrel. What would be a good number before load development?

Thinking 100

 

[Broz]

On these CA carbon barrels, 38 down the barrel. What would be a good number before load development?

Thinking 100

You can do it now, but plan to see a speed up in the barrel about 120 to 150 rounds and you may have to retune to load a bit when that happens. In my opinion, if you did a full break in on the barrel, the tune will likely consist of a slight powder charge adjustment. YMMV

 

[FURMAN]

On these CA carbon barrels, 38 down the barrel. What would be a good number before load development?

Thinking 100

I would have done if from the start. Like Jeff said you will need to watch for the barrel speed up. If it happens during load development it can have you chasing your tail.

 

[rockwallraider]

getting to help a guy cull a bunch of whitetail over the next few weeks so I have a light load that is shooting under .5 I will more than likely be over 100 by this time next week. Not a very hard barrel to tune so far.

first 20 I shot 130 jlk in the lands with some awesome groups. Next 30 have been 140 eldm at .01, .025, and .035. All loads are under Moa with all having at least 1 group under .5

again thanks for the write up as I was avoiding the MPR early on off some bad reviews. This is a perfect gun to stick in backpack which is what I wanted for where we will hunt aoudad

 

[rockwallraider]

Meant to ask if you have a chamber problem that needs the wheeler reamer, is it usually on the second or thrd firing of the brass?

 

[FURMAN]

Meant to ask if you have a chamber problem that needs the wheeler reamer, is it usually on the second or thrd firing of the brass?

Yes.

 

[rockwallraider]

80 down barrel, these were at 487, shot 2 more after that that were on top of each other 1 inch up and 1 inch right. Thinking of buying another one in 6 creed for my 8 yr old daughter as she keeps asking about shooting and hunting

 

[Spreedizzle]

80 down barrel, these were at 487, shot 2 more after that that were on top of each other 1 inch up and 1 inch right. Thinking of buying another one in 6 creed for my 8 yr old daughter as she keeps asking about shooting and hunting
View attachment 9447

Nice shooting.

Embrace her excitement......and get her in early!! Get her outdoors, and out of the clutches and confines of technology. Looking forward to seeing her groups on here.

 

[bigbulls]

Very nice, I ordered one and it's on a truck on it's way. Can't wait to start playing with it, supposed to be here next week some time.

 

[OSOK - Crash]

80 down barrel, these were at 487, shot 2 more after that that were on top of each other 1 inch up and 1 inch right. Thinking of buying another one in 6 creed for my 8 yr old daughter as she keeps asking about shooting and hunting
View attachment 9447

Great shooting there!