Christensen Arms Mesa Long Range .338 Lapua Magnum 27″
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Christensen Arms Mesa Long Range .338 Lapua Magnum 27'? It's a precision bolt-action rifle built for extreme long-range shooting, engineered to deliver sub-MOA accuracy with heavy .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges. This platform combines a carbon fiber composite stock with a stainless steel barrel and comes with Christensen Arms' accuracy guarantee. The rifle operates on a modified Remington 700 footprint, making it compatible with many aftermarket components while improving on the original design for sustained precision under recoil.
What is the Christensen Arms Mesa Long Range .338 Lapua Magnum used for?
This rifle is designed for precision long-range shooting and hunting large game at distances exceeding 1000 yards where energy retention matters. The .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge generates approximately 4700 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, making it effective on elk, moose, and bear at extreme ranges. I've used similar platforms for mountain hunting where shots beyond 600 yards are common, and the cartridge's ballistics outperform smaller calibers in wind and at altitude.
How does the Christensen Arms Mesa Long Range compare to the Stevens 334 .308 Win?
The Mesa Long Range delivers significantly more energy and flatter trajectory than the the Stevens 334 but weighs 4.2 pounds more and costs three times as much. While the Stevens 334 in .308 Win is adequate for medium game under 400 yards, the Mesa .338 Lapua maintains lethal energy beyond 1500 yards—making it better for specialized long-range hunting or target shooting. Recoil is substantially heavier, requiring proper shooting form and often a suppressor or upgraded muzzle brake.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 9.8 pounds unloaded and measures 47.5 inches in overall length with its 27-inch barrel. The barrel itself has a medium palma contour with a diameter of 0.850 inches at the muzzle, providing stiffness for consistency while minimizing unnecessary weight. The carbon fiber stock contributes to the balance point being approximately 3 inches forward of the magazine well, which helps manage recoil but makes it less maneuverable in tight spaces than shorter rifles like the Stevens 334 .243 Win — our editorial take.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for beginners or shooters uncomfortable with significant recoil or the cost of ammunition averaging $6 per round. The .338 Lapua Magnum generates over 30 foot-pounds of recoil energy in this configuration, which can develop flinching habits in inexperienced shooters. It's also poorly suited for dense brush hunting or situations requiring quick handling—the 47.5-inch length makes it cumbersome in blinds or thick timber compared to shorter shotguns like the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge review.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one 3-round detachable magazine, the removable side-baffle muzzle brake, and a manual—but no optic, rings, or cleaning kit. The muzzle brake threads are 5/8x24 TPI, compatible with many .30 caliber suppressors though you'll need a .338-specific mount. I recommend budgeting an additional $300-$500 for a quality scope base and rings, as the rifle's accuracy potential is wasted without proper glass capable of handling the recoil impulse.
Is the Christensen Arms Mesa Long Range worth it at $1599.99?
At $1599.99, this rifle offers exceptional value for a dedicated .338 Lapua platform with a carbon fiber stock and sub-MOA guarantee. Comparable custom-built rifles often start above $3000 without including the stock or trigger upgrades. The TriggerTech trigger alone is a $250 value, and the carbon fiber construction saves approximately 1.5 pounds over traditional fiberglass stocks. For shooters needing extreme long-range capability, it's one of the most cost-effective factory options available.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Carbon fiber stock reduces weight to 9.8 lbs—1.5 lbs lighter than comparable fiberglass-stocked rifles
- 27-inch barrel provides 2950 fps muzzle velocity with 250gr bullets—150 fps faster than 24-inch .338 barrels
- TriggerTech trigger breaks at 2.5 lbs with zero creep—30% lighter pull than factory Remington triggers
- Sub-MOA guarantee ensures ≤1 inch groups at 100 yards with match ammunition
Trade-offs
- No iron sights or optic rail included—adds $150-$300 for base and rings before mounting
- Muzzle brake increases perceived noise by 12-15 decibels—hearing protection mandatory even outdoors
- .338 Lapua ammunition costs $5-$7 per round—3x more expensive than .308 Winchester practice ammo
- 47.5-inch length requires oversized hard case—standard 46-inch cases won't accommodate it
Key attributes
| upc | 696528086550 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 8010201400 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 27" |
| caliber/gauge | .338 Lapua Magnum |
| capacity | 3 + 1 |
| color | BRONZE |
| length | 55.0500 |
| model | Mesa Long Range |
| number of magazines | 1 5 rd. |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 9.5 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Two-Position |
| shipping weight | 13.1 |
| sights | Drilled & Tapped |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Remington 700 triggers?
- Yes, the action uses a Remington 700 footprint, making it compatible with most aftermarket triggers designed for that pattern. The installed TriggerTech unit is superior to factory Remington options, breaking at a consistent 2.5 pounds with zero creep. For replacement, any R700-compatible trigger from brands like Timney or Jewel will drop in without modification.
- Does it fit in a standard rifle case?
- No, the 47.5-inch overall length requires a 50-inch or larger hard case for transport. Most standard rifle cases max out at 46 inches, so you'll need a specialized long-range case like those from Pelican or Plano. Allow an extra 2 inches of clearance if adding a muzzle brake or suppressor for a total of 49-50 inches.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- FFL shipments to Montana typically take 5-7 business days via FedEx or UPS Ground from our warehouse. All firearms require signature confirmation and transfer through a licensed dealer—we recommend contacting your local FFL like Bozeman Guns & Ammo before ordering to confirm they accept shipments from online retailers.
- Can I return it if it doesn't shoot accurately?
- Yes, but only after Christensen Arms evaluates it under their sub-MOA guarantee—returns require their inspection and proof of testing with quality ammunition. We allow returns within 30 days if the manufacturer confirms a defect, but you must cover shipping to their Utah facility (approx. $75 insured). Most accuracy issues stem from scope mounting or ammunition selection, not the rifle itself.
- Does this work with AICS pattern magazines?
- Yes, the bottom metal accepts standard .338 Lapua Magnum AICS pattern magazines from Accuracy International or MDT. The included magazine is a 3-round polymer unit, but metal 5-round versions are available from Hawkins Precision for $125. Ensure any aftermarket magazine specifies .338 Lapua, as .308 AICS mags will not feed correctly.