Christensen Arms MPR Competition - Running Review

[ArmedGinger]

*Christensen Arms has NOT endorsed this review in any fashion! This will be an honest review as I see the rifle*

This is the Christensen Arms MPR Competition rifle. This rifle differs from the regular MPR on a few different levels. Whereas the regular MPR comes with a Triggertech Primary PVD Flat trigger, the Comp model comes standard with their Special class with the PVD Flat trigger. The other changes are the bolt knob, which on the Comp model is carbon fibre like their FFT line of rifles whereas the MPR comes standard with the steel tactical bolt knob. The biggest differences though are the AR style pistol grip and the barrel. The pistol grip on the regular MPR was just a standard AR style grip which I found to be way too skinny for my hands and swapped out immediately on my rifle for an MDT Pistol Grip Elite, sort of an ERGO knock off. The grip on the Comp model though is an Anarchy Outdoors Tuxedo grip, which is more vertical and has a really nice thumb shelf. Finally the biggest change is the barrel. The regular MPR came with either a carbon fibre wrapped barrel of various lengths per calibre or a steel Medium Palma weight barrel. On the Comp model though they are fooling around. Christensen Arms calls this a Target Weight barrel. It's akin to an M24 contour barrel, this thing is large! Further more it only comes in one length no matter the calibre, 26". Finally to top it all off, the Comp model is only available in one colour, Tungsten, for the chassis and plain stainless for the barrel.

The rifle here is one chambered in .308 Win. Other chambers on the Comp model include 223, 6mm GT, 6mm ARC, 6mm CRD, 6.5 CRD, and 6.5 PRC.

I've topped the rifle with a simple Vortex Venom 5-25x56 for the upcoming tests that will hopefully be done tomorrow. I'll update this review as I test the rifle.

For now enjoy some pictures of the rifle.

 

[Mystic Precision]

What is the purpose of that big bolt on the side of the chassis?

Is the chassis molded?

Jerry

 

[ArmedGinger]

What is the purpose of that big bolt on the side of the chassis?

Is the chassis molded?

Jerry

Are you talking about this?

It's a metal plate. There is a magnet on the folding stock that attaches to that plate on the side of the chassis so the rear stock doesn't flop around when folded.

 

[ArmedGinger]

MPR Competition Range Day

So I took the MPR Comp down to the local range to get it sighted in. I had received some HSM 190gr HPBT Match ammo that I decided to try out. The box didn't state what brand of bullets but I assume they are Sierra 190gr Matchkings.

First shot of the day seemed promising, two inches to the right at 100 after bore sighting. But the more I shot the ammo, the more I realized my gun just wasn't a fan of it. As you can see from the best group of them, they just didn't do well.

I was getting a little worried that maybe this rifle suffered from the nefarious CA Accuracy bug.

So I swapped over to something that has never seemed to let me down, Federal Premium 168gr Sierra Matchking. The first group did pretty decent at about 0.6" of an inch. The following groups were about the same. Finally the last five rounds produced the best group of the day. This is five shots, 100 yards, 6-7 seconds between shots.

Range Day Final Thoughts:

The gun shot very well with the ammo it likes. With the Atlas bipod on the front and the sand bag at the rear, it was very comfortable to shoot. The weight of the rifle along with the muzzlebrake made this rifle very tame on the recoil. The trigger will need a little adjusting, seemed a little stiff right out of the box but even then it wasn't too bad. The bolt seemed to be stiffening up by the end of the day when closing, they will just need a clean and a lube. Overall I am very happy with the rifle.

Now, is it worth the extra money over a normal MPR? My 308 and 6.5 Creedmoor MPR rifles both shot extremely well, almost as good as the Comp model. If you're planning on packing the rifle and maybe hunting with it, then the regular MPR with the Carbon barrel or the lighter medium palma contour steel barrel is a better idea. Cost wise, you're paying the same for the Competition model as you are a regular MPR with a Carbon barrel.