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Christensen Arms, the Utah-based manufacturer, has introduced many new caliber optics and a new color to their Modern Precision Rifle (MPR) line. The Christensen Arms MPR rifle line has introduced a new Desert Brown anodized chassis in 2019. Christensen Arms offers the “Desert Brown” colored light-alloy chassis as an alternative to the standard black hard-coat anodized finish of the Modern Precision Rifle. While it breaks the monotony of the black color, it retains the durability. Christensen Arms, known for infusing lots of innovation and technology in their products, is the first company in this field to popularize the carbon fiber barrel, making this lightweight rifle perfect for both hunting and shooting.
The Christensen Arms has also introduced .223 Rem chambering for both 20” and 16” barrel lengths. This .223 Rem model comes with a standard short-action receiver as well as 10-round polymer magazine (compatible with AICS).
The MPR-line now has chassis as well as folding stock. The black nitride and carbon fiber guise have been retained in both receiver and handguard. The .223 chambering is now available in short action (SA) models, thereby joining the already present calibers in the Modern Precision Rifle such as .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6.5PRC.
While the short action version comes at a price of US$2,295, the long action model is priced at US$2,395.
An Overview of Modern Precision Rifle (MPR)
The Modern Precision rifle was first introduced in 2018 to break tradition, introducing the ultra-lightweight chassis. It was engineered to meet the needs of pro-shooters looking for a bolt-action firearm for taking on complex challenges without being bothered by the bulk/weight of most chassis rifles. The manufacturer has examined even the smallest components so that it delivers perfect shots with ease.
Beyond the folding stock, this rifle comes with target-contour carbon fiber barrel, carbon fiber handguard (free floating), carbon fiber comb, and 20 MOA rail. The sleek along with the smooth operation of the rifle is ensured by the Black Nitride finished action and stainless steel side-baffle muzzle brake. The MPR rifles weigh just 6.9 pounds and the deal gets sweeter with the Sub-MOA Guarantee of Christensen Arms.
Models Availables
Modern Precision Rifle (MPR) Desert Brown: Taking a Closer Look
The new Modern Precision Rifle (MPR) system has a next-generation chassis system, which is a leader in the league of configurable, chassis-stocked rifles that are perfect for precision shooting competition, tactical use, or hunting. The “Desert Brown” colored light-alloy chassis breaks the monotony and brings a gust of fresh air for the shooters who seek hard-coat anodized finish but with a unique look.
Lightweight
As configurable, chassis-stocked rifles are only ideal for competition and not for field work (due to their heavy weight), Christensen Arms (CA) engineers came up with a rifle having practical weight, ranging from 6.9 pounds to 8.4 pounds (depending upon the caliber used and barrel length).
They have achieved this feat by using a carbon-fiber-wrapped 416R stainless steel target-profile barrel. This is definitely more expensive to build the lightweight barrel than an all-steel like-profile tube. Despite this fact, CA has successfully priced this semi-custom rifle (for the short-action) within US$2,300. This price is highly competitive against the production guns such as Ruger’s Precision Rifle, Tikka’s T3x TAC A1, and others, which cost between $1,500-$2,000.
The Modern Precision Rifle (MPR) comes with:
- Multifarious Barrel Lengths: Anything from 16 inches to 27 inches.
- A Wide Array of Chamberings including .338 Lapua, .300 Norma, .300 Win. Mag, .308 Win, 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .223 Rem (new one released in 2019).
Barrel and Bolt
Barrels are threaded with 5/8×24 pitch. They are fitted with a side-baffle break and are essentially tunable and removable. It has four Allen-head screws in the upper radius of the brake that can be removed easily for pushing some jump-taming propellant gases upward.
Christensen Arms has engineered the dual-lug stainless steel action of Modern Precision Rifles in the footprint of Remington and the CA actions accept Remington 700 scope bases. The actions have been machined from billet 416 stainless. In fact, these actions have been machined from billet 416 stainless and the features include:
- Enlarged port so that the ejection is smooth and trouble free
- Improved bolt release (It is important to note that the bolt release is more like Sako) is located at the action’s left rear.
All the bolts and bolt shrouds are spiral fluted. For reducing the weight further, the bolt handle has been skeletonized.
An extractor (which is similar to that of M16) has been employed with Christensen Arms MPR in Desert Brown. Bolts for magnum cartridges have been fitted with dual ejectors for ensuring enthusiastic ejection at the precise angle. This ensures adequate space for fitting riflescopes having large windage turrets. The bolt is given a finishing touch with nitride exterior and bolt knob (oversized and fluted).
Action, Chassis, Stock, Magazine, & Trigger
Christensen Arms has made sure that the MPR action is compatible with detachable magazines (AICS-type) and has a “tactical” magazine release. Christensen Arms MPR in Desert Brown has 20 MOA rail-type scope base and a semi-straight trigger that is match-grade and adjustable. The trigger breaks quite crisply at one pound and 14 ounces.
Once the action is installed, barrels are reamed as per match-chamber tolerances and then bolted into the chassis. The chassis is machined out of 7075 billet aluminum and the finishing is done with the new “desert brown” colored hard-coat anodizing (to break out of the standard black hard-coat finish). Christensen Arms has incorporated a V-block bedding channel in the MPR chassis. This mechanism makes the action-stock mating process simpler and trouble-free.
The aircraft-grade aluminum made folding stock features an adjustable-height cheekpiece that has been manufactured from carbon fiber and has been mounted to a machined aluminum insert. Though it requires a small Allen wrench, the stock is simple to use as well as positive in its adjustments. For cleaning the rifle, the cheek-rest should be lowered. For enabling the shooter to return it to the proper position, discreet markings have been done with a scale.
You can also adjust the length of pull. All you have to do is loosen a couple of screws with the help of an Allen wrench for adjusting the length of pull from 12.5 to 14.5 inches. The recoil is tamed with a nice and squishy LimbSaver. A scale for adjustment reference is also there on the length-of-pull insert.
If you want to mount a monopod on MPR, you have to drill a flat section at the aluminum skeleton stock’s toe and tap for a section of 1913 rail. For attaching a carrying cup, multiple flush-fit QD cups on each side can be used. There are two additional QD cups (one on each side) that are present on the chassis just in front of the stock hinge.
To fold the stock, you simply have to press a low-profile release button (located at the left rear part of the chassis, just in front of the hinge). Once you press this button, it quietly and smoothly rotates into position. The position is secured by a pair of powerful magnets that are set into the chassis as well as the stock.
The magazine is AICS-compatible and is cut on the left at much higher than on the right-hand side. It enables the shooter to insert a fresh magazine through the left easily, index against the deeper right side, and shove the magazine home easily. Therefore, the reloads are positive, fluid, easy, and fast.
The trigger guard is generously sized, enabling the shooter to use it easily even with heavy gloves on. The manufacturer has used an AR-15 grip as standard. However, the shooter can use any AR grip of his choice.
Fore-End
Christensen Arms has used a carbon-fiber fore-end in the Modern Precision Rifle that comes with a desert brown colored chassis. The fore-end has a square bottom, which enables in riding sandbags nicely. The parallel sides are slender and that’s why the shooters will feel good when either in the hands or in a three-sided top. There are two types of fore-ends available and they are either 14 inches or 17 inches. You have to choose any one of the two on the basis of the barrel length.
Overall
Overall, the Christensen Arms Modern Precision Rifle (MPR) is an innovative genius that can be used for competition as well as practical use, thanks to the lightweight aspect of the product. This rifle is best for precision shooting at long-range competitions like cross-country matches. If time plays a critical role in your match, leave everything else and grab this Christensen Arms MPR rifle for best results. For hunting purposes, you can choose between a variety of hunting loads.
Even when used excessively leading to heating the barrel up, there was no significant shift in point of impact or increase in group size. The weight and cartridge ensure mild recoil, even in the extreme. The PRS shooters may not feel comfortable with the grip. So, they can change their grip as per their preferences. Reliability is important no matter whether you are using the rifle for hunting or competition. Christensen Arms MPR comes with flawless reliability and a smooth action.
The Modern Precision Rifle in Desert Brown by Christensen Arms is one of the best all-purpose, semi-custom at it’s price point between $2,000 and $2,500.
