I didn't see many reviews when I decided to purchase this so I figured I'd make a thread of my initial review and later update it once I get some more time with it.
Model: Christensen Arms MPR 26 inch 6.5 Creedmoor.
Initial unboxing showed that it was well packaged, and pretty well covered in a light grease. I cleaned the weapon, stripped down what I could and then re-installed the scope base, and other screwed items with proper torque and light thread lockers. While taking everything apart I did not find ANYTHING loose on the weapon and it seemed to be well made. The only hesitation I had at this point was the flat trigger, as I am typically not a fan. However, a few turns with the ole allen key and the break was amazing, just under 2 lbs and it looks like it could go lower, but that was enough for me. Stock lockup is very tight, adjustment screws for the stock LOP and cheek height were very tight and almost scared me that I was going to round them out, but they held fine. Once cleaned and oiled the action is very smooth, still not a Tikka, but its very very smooth compared to my Remingtons out of the box.
I was lucky enough to find a good optic from member here, and a few quick days and it was here!
I was postponed being able to shoot on Monday, as I got a call while loading my truck that a family member was in the hospital and I had to quickly throw it all back in the house and hurry there. But I was able to get it out Saturday at last. I used a set of Warne Rings, which I found on sale locally, as thanks to the barrel shroud the scope would not mount with the provided rings. Impressively enough the rings were a perfect match without any lapping which made my mounting much quicker. A few minutes with a bubble level and some string we were centered and set! Per Christensen they have a 50 round break in protocol. I used a 50 round pack of Hornady America Gunner for this. First 10 rounds clean after each shot, then clean ever 10 rounds after for 40 more. I was on a minor time constraint so I didn't get to let it sit as long as I would have liked between strings, but I was able to get a rough zero while getting the rifle broken in properly. (I also managed to get a nice "prove it" point to a friend that came out with his 300wm about how much POI shifts with a clean bore vs fouled bore) Here are the targets first was initial sight in, second rough groups and final 3 shot in the X (all groups fired at 100M laser measured distance): There are so random hits on a few targets as well because of us being idiots. All targets are 3" birchwood casey Shoot and See, I did not measure anything.
So the initial 50 rounds with "cheap" ammo were decent. I had several groups under MOA, but I also had fliers and other fun crap because I got tired of being patient and got a bit happy on the trigger. It was warm, and the sun was in our faces for the later part of the trip so I was not "at my best" and I also forgot my "match ammo" at the house. Don't know how, but what I did have was:
Federal 140gr Nosler Hunting Ammo
Hornady 140gr "Black" box
Federal 130gr Gold Medal Berger
Bulk Hornady American Gunner 140gr 200round pack (used for break in and a few plink shots after)
Federal 140gr Nosler Hunting
Federal 130gr Gold Medal Berger (Second group was split because I decided to hold .1 mil lower to try and keep it on the shoot&see)
Hornady 140gr Black Box (first group is 4 together, one called flyer) (Second group I had very bad mirage, let me find a few more excuses... sun, tired...)
Final Thoughts:
I very much like this firearm. the fit and finish is very good, all the machining is very clean. It looks incredible in person, and everyone that has see it so far has been impressed. The chassis is great, and l love being able to swing the stock over to clean the weapon easier. Adjustments are easy, however they do require an allen key, if that matters to anyone. The trigger was phenominal and I am sure my groups would have been better had I not been shooting off a bag on the ground. I usually use a very heavy picnic table, but one of the branches broke off out oak tree and smashed it and I'm too damn lazy to fix it right now. Considering it's size it is very light, I did not weigh it yet so I can't tell ya how much she's sitting at right now. It doesn't seem too bad till I throw my atlas way out on the end of it. I fired 100 rounds that first day over the course of 3-3.5 hours, and I was in direct sunlight so there was not a "whole lot" of cooling time, but I did swap over a few times to shoot my BCM a bit. I will get all of my "match" ammo and take it out next time to do a follow up to this initial review, and I'll try to have a better rest platform too. But considering I was on the ground between my atlas and a bag, I think the rifle is quite capable. Interested to see what handload 143 ELDX loads will do.
Extra pics to come in following post due to limits.
Model: Christensen Arms MPR 26 inch 6.5 Creedmoor.
Initial unboxing showed that it was well packaged, and pretty well covered in a light grease. I cleaned the weapon, stripped down what I could and then re-installed the scope base, and other screwed items with proper torque and light thread lockers. While taking everything apart I did not find ANYTHING loose on the weapon and it seemed to be well made. The only hesitation I had at this point was the flat trigger, as I am typically not a fan. However, a few turns with the ole allen key and the break was amazing, just under 2 lbs and it looks like it could go lower, but that was enough for me. Stock lockup is very tight, adjustment screws for the stock LOP and cheek height were very tight and almost scared me that I was going to round them out, but they held fine. Once cleaned and oiled the action is very smooth, still not a Tikka, but its very very smooth compared to my Remingtons out of the box.
I was lucky enough to find a good optic from member here, and a few quick days and it was here!
I was postponed being able to shoot on Monday, as I got a call while loading my truck that a family member was in the hospital and I had to quickly throw it all back in the house and hurry there. But I was able to get it out Saturday at last. I used a set of Warne Rings, which I found on sale locally, as thanks to the barrel shroud the scope would not mount with the provided rings. Impressively enough the rings were a perfect match without any lapping which made my mounting much quicker. A few minutes with a bubble level and some string we were centered and set! Per Christensen they have a 50 round break in protocol. I used a 50 round pack of Hornady America Gunner for this. First 10 rounds clean after each shot, then clean ever 10 rounds after for 40 more. I was on a minor time constraint so I didn't get to let it sit as long as I would have liked between strings, but I was able to get a rough zero while getting the rifle broken in properly. (I also managed to get a nice "prove it" point to a friend that came out with his 300wm about how much POI shifts with a clean bore vs fouled bore) Here are the targets first was initial sight in, second rough groups and final 3 shot in the X (all groups fired at 100M laser measured distance): There are so random hits on a few targets as well because of us being idiots. All targets are 3" birchwood casey Shoot and See, I did not measure anything.
So the initial 50 rounds with "cheap" ammo were decent. I had several groups under MOA, but I also had fliers and other fun crap because I got tired of being patient and got a bit happy on the trigger. It was warm, and the sun was in our faces for the later part of the trip so I was not "at my best" and I also forgot my "match ammo" at the house. Don't know how, but what I did have was:
Federal 140gr Nosler Hunting Ammo
Hornady 140gr "Black" box
Federal 130gr Gold Medal Berger
Bulk Hornady American Gunner 140gr 200round pack (used for break in and a few plink shots after)
Federal 140gr Nosler Hunting
Federal 130gr Gold Medal Berger (Second group was split because I decided to hold .1 mil lower to try and keep it on the shoot&see)
Hornady 140gr Black Box (first group is 4 together, one called flyer) (Second group I had very bad mirage, let me find a few more excuses... sun, tired...)
Final Thoughts:
I very much like this firearm. the fit and finish is very good, all the machining is very clean. It looks incredible in person, and everyone that has see it so far has been impressed. The chassis is great, and l love being able to swing the stock over to clean the weapon easier. Adjustments are easy, however they do require an allen key, if that matters to anyone. The trigger was phenominal and I am sure my groups would have been better had I not been shooting off a bag on the ground. I usually use a very heavy picnic table, but one of the branches broke off out oak tree and smashed it and I'm too damn lazy to fix it right now. Considering it's size it is very light, I did not weigh it yet so I can't tell ya how much she's sitting at right now. It doesn't seem too bad till I throw my atlas way out on the end of it. I fired 100 rounds that first day over the course of 3-3.5 hours, and I was in direct sunlight so there was not a "whole lot" of cooling time, but I did swap over a few times to shoot my BCM a bit. I will get all of my "match" ammo and take it out next time to do a follow up to this initial review, and I'll try to have a better rest platform too. But considering I was on the ground between my atlas and a bag, I think the rifle is quite capable. Interested to see what handload 143 ELDX loads will do.
Extra pics to come in following post due to limits.
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