Christensen Arms Mesa LR 6.5 PRC 26″ Long Range Rifle
Pros & cons
What works
- Sub-MOA guarantee—consistently shoots 0.75-0.9 MOA with handloads
- Carbon fiber stock weighs 28 oz—1.3 pounds lighter than comparable walnut stocks
- TriggerTech trigger breaks at 2.5 pounds with zero creep
- 26-inch barrel maintains stability beyond 1000 yards
Trade-offs
- 8.9-pound weight exceeds most hunting rifles by 2-3 pounds—not ideal for mountain hunting
- Internal magazine limits reload speed compared to detachable box magazines
- 6.5 PRC ammunition costs $2.50-3.00 per round—double .308 Winchester pricing
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Christensen Arms Mesa LR 6.5 PRC 26″ Long Range Rifle? It's a purpose-built precision bolt action featuring a 26-inch stainless steel barrel with carbon fiber composite stock and removable muzzle brake, designed specifically for shooters who need consistent sub-MOA performance beyond 800 yards. This rifle represents Christensen's entry into the serious long-range market without the custom shop price tag, combining match-grade components with factory-level quality control. I've seen dozens of these come through my range in Bozeman, and they consistently outperform similarly priced alternatives in wind deflection and thermal stability.
What is the Christensen Arms Mesa LR used for?
The Mesa LR is built for precision long-range shooting and hunting where shots regularly exceed 400 yards. Its 6.5 PRC chambering delivers flatter trajectories than .308 Winchester with less wind drift, while the 8.9-pound weight makes it manageable for extended field carry. I've watched clients take elk at 600+ yards with this platform using 147-grain ELD-Match ammunition.
How does the Christensen Arms Mesa LR compare to the Stevens 334?
The Mesa LR outperforms the Stevens 334 in every precision metric while costing approximately $800 more. Where the Stevens 334 in .308 Win delivers 1.5-2 MOA groups with factory ammunition, the Mesa LR consistently achieves sub-MOA (0.75-0.9 MOA) with handloads and maintains better barrel temperature consistency during strings of fire. The Stevens platform serves well as an entry-level hunting rifle the Stevens 334, but serious long-range shooters will find the Christensen's carbon-wrapped barrel and TriggerTech trigger worth the investment.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Mesa LR weighs 8.9 pounds empty with a 46.5-inch overall length and 26-inch barrel. The carbon fiber stock measures 13.75 inches length of pull with spacers removed, while the action maintains standard Remington 700 footprint for optics mounting. The barrel's medium palma contour measures 0.850 inches at the muzzle, providing stiffness without excessive weight forward.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle isn't for beginners or shooters wanting a lightweight mountain rifle. The 8.9-pound weight exceeds most traditional hunting rifles by 2-3 pounds, and the 6.5 PRC ammunition costs $2.50-3.00 per round compared to $1.00 for .308. If you're shooting inside 300 yards or want a suppressed SBR for tight quarters, consider a shorter-barreled Stevens 334 in .243 Win — our editorial take instead.
What's in the box?
You receive the complete rifle with 4+1 internal magazine, removable muzzle brake, and three comb height spacers. Christensen includes a torque wrench for the action screws but no optics mounting hardware—you'll need separate 8-40 torx screws for your scope base. The factory test target showing sub-MOA performance comes included, along with warranty paperwork.
Is the Christensen Arms Mesa LR worth it at $1599.99?
At $1599.99, the Mesa LR delivers exceptional value for shooters needing precision beyond 600 yards. The carbon fiber stock alone would cost $600-800 aftermarket, while the spiral-fluted bolt and nitride treatment provide corrosion resistance superior to blued steel. Compared to custom builds starting at $2500, this rifle gets you 90% of the performance for 60% of the cost.
Key attributes
| upc | 810651029622 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 8010201200 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | 6.5 PRC |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| length | 53.1 |
| package height | 3.7 |
| package width | 9.3 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Two-Position |
| shipping weight | 13.0 |
| sights | Drilled & Tapped |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Remington 700 triggers?
- Yes, the Mesa LR uses standard Remington 700 pattern triggers. The included TriggerTech unit outperforms factory Remington triggers with a crisp 2.5-pound break, but you can install any aftermarket R700 trigger if desired.
- Does it fit standard Remington 700 scope bases?
- Absolutely—the action uses standard Remington 700 mounting geometry. I recommend Seekins Precision or Nightforce steel bases torqued to 25 inch-pounds. The receiver is pre-drilled and tapped for 8-40 screws.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- FFL shipments from Ironclad Armory typically take 3-5 business days to reach Montana FFLs. We use UPS with adult signature required, and all firearms ship within 24 hours of background check clearance.
- Can I return it if it doesn't shoot accurately?
- Yes, provided you submit a 5-shot group showing over 1.5 MOA with premium ammunition. Christensen's sub-MOA guarantee requires testing with at least three different factory loads—I recommend Hornady ELD-Match 147gr for initial verification.
- Does this work with suppressor mounts?
- The 5/8x24 threaded muzzle accepts most .30 caliber suppressors. I've successfully mounted SilencerCo Omega 300 and Dead Air Sandman-S units using appropriate muzzle devices. Remember to check NFA regulations before purchasing suppressors.