Christensen Arms Mesa LR .300 PRC 26″ Burnt Bronze
About this product
The Christensen Arms Mesa LR .300 PRC 26″ Burnt Bronze is a precision long-range bolt-action rifle chambered in .300 PRC with a 26-inch medium palma contour barrel and carbon fiber composite stock. It's built for shooters who need consistent sub-MOA accuracy beyond 800 yards while maintaining manageable weight and recoil control. With a factory-installed TriggerTech trigger and adjustable stock, this rifle delivers out-of-the-box performance that typically requires custom builds at twice the price.
What is the Christensen Arms Mesa LR .300 PRC used for?
This rifle is specifically designed for precision long-range shooting at distances from 800 to 1,200 yards. The .300 PRC cartridge provides excellent ballistic performance for hunting large game like elk and moose, while the rifle's adjustable stock and 26-inch barrel optimize velocity and stability. Law enforcement sniper teams and competitive PRS shooters will appreciate the factory sub-MOA guarantee and accessory-ready threaded muzzle.
How does the Christensen Arms Mesa LR compare to the Stevens 334 .308 Win?
The Mesa LR significantly outperforms the Stevens 334 in long-range ballistic capability, with the .300 PRC maintaining supersonic velocity out to 1,400 yards compared to the .308's 900-yard practical limit. However, the Stevens 334 costs approximately $500 less and uses more affordable ammunition, making it better for budget-conscious hunters staying inside 400 yards. The Mesa LR's carbon fiber stock also reduces weight by nearly 2 pounds compared to the Stevens' synthetic stock.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 8.9 pounds unloaded with an overall length of 46.5 inches. The 26-inch barrel features a 1:8 twist rate that stabilizes heavy .300 PRC projectiles up to 250 grains. The carbon fiber stock adjusts for length of pull from 13.5 to 14.5 inches, accommodating shooters from 5'8" to 6'4" without aftermarket modifications.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not suitable for beginners or casual plinkers due to the .300 PRC's substantial recoil and $3-4 per round ammunition cost. It's also overkill for hunting in thick timber where shots rarely exceed 200 yards. For those applications, consider the Stevens 334 in .243 Win which offers lighter recoil and lower operating costs.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with the removable side-baffle muzzle brake installed, three-round detachable magazine, and trigger adjustment tool. Christensen Arms includes documentation verifying the sub-MOA test target shot at 100 yards, typically showing groups measuring 0.75 inches or smaller. The package weighs 14.2 pounds total including the hard case and paperwork.
Is the Christensen Arms Mesa LR worth it at $1,599.99?
At $1,599.99, this rifle delivers custom-grade performance at production-rifle pricing, representing strong value for serious long-range shooters. The carbon fiber stock alone would cost $600-$800 as an aftermarket upgrade on a comparable rifle. Compared to custom builds starting at $3,000, the Mesa LR provides 90% of the performance for half the cost, making it one of the best values in the precision rifle market today.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Sub-MOA guaranteed accuracy with 26-inch barrel optimized for .300 PRC ballistics
- Carbon fiber composite stock reduces weight to 8.9 pounds - 2.1 pounds lighter than comparable steel-bedded stocks
- TriggerTech factory trigger breaks clean at 2.5 pounds with zero creep or overtravel
- Adjustable length of pull (13.5"-14.5") and comb height accommodate 95% of adult shooters
Trade-offs
- .300 PRC ammunition costs $3-4 per round versus $1.20 for .308 Win
- 46.5-inch overall length makes vehicle transport challenging without breakdown
- Carbon fiber stock lacks the rigidity of full aluminum chassis for extreme PRS competition
- Factory magazine capacity limited to 3 rounds without aftermarket upgrades
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 696528086819 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 801-02017-00 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | .300 PRC |
| capacity | 3 + 1 |
| length | 52.9 |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 9.4 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Two-Position |
| shipping weight | 11.9 |
| sights | Drilled & Tapped |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the muzzle brake accept suppressors?
- Yes, the 5/8x24 threaded muzzle accepts most .30 caliber suppressors after removing the factory brake. I recommend using a suppressor-specific muzzle device rather than direct threading for optimal alignment and durability. Popular compatible models include the Dead Air Nomad-L and SilencerCo Omega 300.
- What scope base does it use?
- The action uses a Remington 700 pattern scope base with #8-40 screws. I've mounted both 0 MOA and 20 MOA rails from Badger Ordnance and Nightforce without modification. The receiver's solid construction maintains zero even with heavy optics up to 40 ounces.
- How long is the shipping process?
- Ironclad Armory processes most firearms shipments within 3 business days after FFL verification. The rifle ships via FedEx with adult signature required, typically arriving at your selected FFL within 5-7 business days. We email tracking information within 24 hours of shipment.
- Can I return it if it doesn't shoot accurately?
- Christensen Arms honors their sub-MOA guarantee for 3 years from purchase date if the rifle fails to group under 1 inch with factory match ammunition. Ironclad Armory facilitates warranty claims but cannot accept returns on firearms except for manufacturing defects verified by Christensen's service department.
- Does it work with AICS pattern magazines?
- The factory magazine well accepts standard AICS pattern .300 PRC magazines from manufacturers like Accurate Mag and MDT. The rifle ships with a 3-round metal magazine, but 5 and 10-round options are available for competition use. I've tested six different AICS mags without feeding issues.