Christensen Arms TFM .338 Lapua Magnum, 27 in Carbon Fiber
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 7.30 lbs (119 oz) bare—over 2 lbs lighter than a comparable steel-barreled .338 like the Desert Tech SRS A2.
- Carbon-wrapped barrel reduces harmonic vibration for consistent 0.5 MOA accuracy per factory guarantee with match ammo.
- Integrated 20-MOA Picatinny rail allows for over 100 MOA of total elevation adjustment with modern high-magnification optics.
- Fully adjustable stock includes 1.5 inches of length-of-pull travel and 0.75 inches of comb height adjustment for a perfect cheek weld.
Trade-offs
- .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition costs $6-$10 per round for match grade—a 50-round zero session costs more than some complete rifles like the Stevens 334.
- 27-inch barrel length makes it illegal for hunting in some states with maximum barrel length laws and cumbersome in standard gun safes.
- No included hard case or scope mounting hardware—adds $250+ to the true out-the-door cost before you can fire a shot.
- Muzzle brake is effective but increases perceived blast noise by approximately 12 decibels, requiring double hearing protection for the shooter and anyone nearby.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Christensen Arms TFM .338 Lapua Magnum is a purpose-built, long-range precision bolt-action rifle featuring a carbon-fiber-wrapped stainless steel barrel and fully adjustable tactical stock designed to deliver extreme accuracy beyond 1,500 yards.
What is the Christensen Arms TFM .338 Lapua Magnum used for?
The Christensen Arms TFM .338 Lapua Magnum is used for extreme long-range precision shooting, target competition, and specialized hunting applications where engagement distances exceed 800 yards. Its cartridge generates approximately 4,700 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, making it suitable for large, tough game at ranges where smaller calibers like the .308 Win (found in the Stevens 334 Rifle) lack terminal authority. The rifle’s 1:9.3 twist rate stabilizes heavy, high-BC projectiles like the 300-grain Berger Elite Hunter, maintaining supersonic flight past 1,800 yards in standard atmospherics.
How does the Christensen Arms TFM compare to a Barrett MRAD in .338 Lapua?
The Christensen Arms TFM is significantly lighter and more specialized as a dedicated long-range platform, while the Barrett MRAD offers superior modularity for multi-caliber conversion. The TFM’s starting weight of 7.30 lbs is over 4 lbs lighter than a comparable MRAD configuration empty, a critical advantage for mountain hunting or extended positional shooting. However, the MRAD’s chassis system and quick-change barrel system provide greater tactical flexibility, making it the better choice for military or agency users who require one action to host multiple cartridges from .338 Lapua down to 6.5 Creedmoor.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Christensen Arms TFM weighs 7.30 lbs (119 oz) bare, with an overall length of 48.5 inches from buttpad to muzzle without the removable brake. The 27-inch carbon-wrapped barrel has a diameter of 0.950 inches at the muzzle, threading to 5/8x24 for the included titanium brake or suppressors like the SilencerCo Harvester EVO. This length and weight balance places the rifle’s center of gravity approximately 9 inches forward of the trigger guard, which aids in steady off-barricade shooting but demands a solid bipod or bag setup for prone work.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for casual plinkers, budget-conscious shooters, or anyone uncomfortable with the operating costs and physical demands of the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge. A single box of 20 match-grade rounds costs between $120 and $200, meaning a 100-round zeroing and load-development session can exceed the price of a Stevens 555 Sporting O/U Shotgun. The rifle’s length and muzzle blast also make it poorly suited for shooting from standard indoor ranges or most hunting blinds; you need a minimum of 100 yards of safe, private land or access to a dedicated long-range facility.
What’s in the box?
In the box, you receive the rifle with its AICS-compatible detachable magazine (1-round capacity standard, 5-round available), the removable titanium side-baffle muzzle brake, thread protector, and the factory test target verifying the ½ MOA guarantee. Notably, unlike some European precision rifles, it does not include a hard case, scope mount rings, or cleaning kit—expect to spend an additional $150-$300 on a suitable Pelican-style case and scope mounting system before your first range trip.
Is the Christensen Arms TFM worth it at $4,699.99?
At $4,699.99, the Christensen Arms TFM is worth it for the serious long-range competitor or guided hunter who values the weight savings and guaranteed accuracy of a carbon-wrapped barrel system. You are paying a premium of roughly $1,800 over a comparable all-steel custom rifle from a regional gunsmith for a 28% reduction in carried weight and a factory-backed sub-MOA guarantee. For a shooter who invests $3,000+ in optics and regularly travels to mountainous terrain, that weight savings directly translates to better shooting performance at the end of a long hike.
Key attributes
| upc | 696528087212 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 801-05003-00 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 27" |
| caliber/gauge | .338 Lapua Magnum |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| length | 53.5 |
| number of magazines | 1 5 rd. |
| package height | 5.5 |
| package width | 14.5 |
| product type | Rifle |
| shipping weight | 24.65 |
| sights | Integrated Base |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the receiver compatible with Remington 700 pattern scope bases?
- No, the integrated 20-MOA Picatinny rail is machined directly into the receiver and is proprietary to Christensen Arms. You will need to use standard Picatinny scope rings or mounts that fit a 1913-spec rail. The forward section of the rail provides 4 inches of continuous mounting surface for night vision or thermal clip-on devices.
- Does it ship with a threaded barrel for a suppressor?
- Yes, the barrel has a standard 5/8x24 threaded muzzle, which accepts the included titanium brake or direct-thread suppressors rated for .338 caliber. The thread length is 0.625 inches, so verify your suppressor’s mount engagement depth—some muzzle devices from companies like SilencerCo require timing washers that may affect proper indexing.
- How long does the factory ½ MOA guarantee last?
- The Christensen Arms ½ MOA guarantee is a lifetime warranty for the original purchaser, provided you use factory-match or hand-loaded ammunition that meets SAAMI specifications for .338 Lapua Magnum. They require a 5-shot group at 100 yards, fired from a bench rest with a minimum 20x magnification scope, to be submitted for validation. Processing a claim typically takes 7-10 business days after they receive your rifle and target.
- Can the magazine well accept AICS long-action .300 Win Mag magazines?
- No, the magazine well is specifically machined for AICS-pattern .338 Lapua Magnum magazines due to the cartridge’s longer overall length of 3.68 inches. Using a .300 Win Mag magazine will cause feeding failures and potential bolt override. I recommend sourcing extra magazines from Accurate-Mag or MDT, which offer polymer and steel options with capacities up to 10 rounds for competition use.