Christensen Arms BA Tactical .300 PRC 26″ Carbon Fiber
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 7.40 lbs — approximately 1.5 lbs lighter than a comparable all-steel barrel rifle of the same length.
- 20-MOA integral Picatinny rail eliminates the need for a separate base, providing a solid, repeatable mounting surface for long-range optics.
- Adjustable stock offers 1.5 inches of length-of-pull variation and 1.25 inches of comb height adjustment for precise fit.
- TriggerTech factory trigger provides a crisp, adjustable 2.5-4 lb break, superior to most factory rifle triggers requiring aftermarket upgrades.
Trade-offs
- No iron sights or backup sighting system included — requires immediate optic purchase of $700+ for a basic functional setup.
- .300 PRC ammunition costs $3.50-$5.00 per round for match-grade loads, making practice and training significantly more expensive than .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor.
- Carbon fiber barrel wrap can become extremely hot to the touch after 10-15 rapid rounds, requiring a glove or heat shield for sustained firing strings.
- The proprietary bottom metal limits magazine options to specific AICS-pattern .300 PRC metal magazines, which cost $75-$120 each versus $30 polymer magazines for some hunting rifles.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Christensen Arms BA Tactical .300 PRC 26″ Carbon Fiber is a purpose-built long-range precision rifle designed for ballistic consistency at extreme distances beyond 1,000 yards. Its carbon fiber-wrapped 416R stainless steel barrel provides 26 inches of length with a 1:8″ twist rate, stabilized for heavy, high-BC projectiles. The platform is built around Black Nitride-coated action and a lightweight carbon fiber composite stock, weighing just 7.40 lbs unloaded.
What is the Christensen Arms BA Tactical .300 PRC used for?
It is used for tactical long-range and precision shooting, primarily engaging targets from 400 to 1,800 yards. The .300 PRC cartridge is purpose-designed for efficient powder burn and flat trajectories in long barrels, making this rifle suitable for organized PRS/NRL-style matches, ELR (Extreme Long Range) steel shooting, or disciplined big-game hunting where precise shot placement at extended ranges is non-negotiable. The adjustable carbon fiber stock and 20-MOA integral rail directly support mounting high-magnification optics and maintaining a repeatable shooting platform.
How does the BA Tactical compare to the Stevens 334?
The Christensen Arms BA Tactical is fundamentally superior for sustained long-range accuracy and ergonomic precision adjustments, costing approximately $1,550 more than the entry-level Stevens 334 Rifle | .308 Win, 20in Matte Black Synthetic at $1,099.99. The Stevens 334 is a reliable, cost-effective hunting rifle with a polymer stock and shorter 20-inch barrel, better suited for general-purpose hunting under 400 yards. The BA Tactical's carbon fiber-wrapped barrel provides better heat dissipation and stiffness, its TriggerTech trigger offers a crisper 2.5-lb break versus the Stevens' 3-4 lb factory trigger, and its adjustable stock allows for comb height and length-of-pull customization that the fixed Stevens stock cannot match.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
It weighs 7.40 lbs (3.36 kg) without optics or ammunition, and its overall length is 49.2 inches with the 26-inch barrel installed. The stock adjusts for length of pull from 13.5 to 15.0 inches, and the comb height adjusts vertically approximately 1.25 inches to accommodate various scope heights and shooting positions. The 20-MOA integral Picatinny rail is 9.5 inches long with standard 1913-specification slots, providing ample real estate for long-range optic mounts and potential night vision clip-on systems.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for recreational plinkers, budget-conscious hunters, or shooters seeking a lightweight mountain rifle for steep terrain. The .300 PRC round generates significant recoil energy—even with the included muzzle brake—and costs over $3.50 per round for match-grade ammunition. Hunters targeting game inside 300 yards would be better served by lighter, less expensive platforms like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win, which offers sufficient accuracy at half the weight and a fraction of the operational cost. The BA Tactical is purpose-built for a specific, demanding discipline.
What's in the box?
You receive the complete BA Tactical rifle with the 26-inch carbon fiber-wrapped barrel and Black Nitride action installed in the carbon fiber composite stock, the removable stainless steel side-baffle muzzle brake already threaded and timed to the barrel (thread pitch is 5/8x24 TPI), a single 3-round detachable box magazine, and the factory manual with warranty registration. Note: optics, rings, bipods, and any additional magazines are sold separately—most users will need to budget $700-$2,500 for a suitable long-range optic, $100-$300 for a quality bipod, and $50-$80 per additional magazine.
Is the Christensen Arms BA Tactical worth it at $2649.99?
At $2,649.99, it is a justified investment for serious long-range competitors or precision-oriented shooters who demand factory-ready performance without custom gunsmithing. The integrated carbon fiber barrel and adjustable stock represent a $800-$1,200 upgrade over a similarly configured rifle with a traditional steel barrel and fixed polymer stock. Compared to a fully custom-built ELR rifle costing $5,000+, this off-the-shelf platform delivers 90% of the capability for about half the price. However, for casual shooters or those new to the discipline, a more versatile and economical option like the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U for clay target practice might be a better initial allocation of training funds.
Key attributes
| upc | 696528086963 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 801-04002-00 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | .300 PRC |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| length | 53 |
| number of magazines | 1 5 rd. |
| package height | 4.0 |
| package width | 9.5 |
| product type | Rifle |
| shipping weight | 12.0 |
| sights | Integrated Base |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .300 PRC ammunition?
- Yes, it chambers and fires all SAAMI-spec .300 PRC factory ammunition with a maximum overall cartridge length (COAL) of 3.700 inches. Most match-grade loads from Hornady (ELD-M, ELD-X), Berger, and Federal Premium perform optimally with its 1:8 twist barrel, stabilizing bullets from 185 to 250 grains. Handloaders should note the rifle has a standard 3.700-inch magazine box, limiting some extended heavy bullet seating depths compared to custom single-feed actions.
- Does it fit in a standard 50-inch rifle case?
- No, the 49.2-inch overall length typically requires a 52-inch or larger hard case for safe transport with the muzzle brake attached. Removing the brake reduces length by approximately 2.25 inches, allowing it to fit some 48-inch cases. For regular travel, I recommend a purpose-built case like the Pelican 1750 (52.5-inch interior) or a soft drag-bag designed for PRS rifles with external dimensions exceeding 50 inches.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Standard processing and shipping to a licensed FFL dealer takes 3-7 business days after payment verification, depending on your location and the dealer's FFL documentation status. All firearms ship via UPS or FedEx with adult signature required, with transit typically adding 2-5 additional business days. Expedited shipping is available for an additional $45-$75, reducing total delivery time to as little as 2-3 business days using premium air service.
- Can the muzzle brake be replaced with a suppressor?
- Yes, the barrel has standard 5/8x24 TPI threads under the factory muzzle brake, allowing direct attachment of any .30 caliber suppressor with that thread pattern, like the SilencerCo Omega 300 or Dead Air Nomad-L. Ensure the suppressor is rated for .300 PRC pressures and you have the appropriate ATF Form 4 approval. The rifle's 26-inch barrel provides ample dwell time for efficient suppression, reducing report by approximately 28-32 decibels with a quality can.
- Does this work with AICS-pattern magazines?
- Yes, the rifle uses a proprietary bottom metal that accepts Accurate Mag and MDT metal AICS-pattern .300 PRC magazines. The included 3-round magazine is an AICS-spec short-action length magazine body specifically designed for the .300 PRC cartridge. Aftermarket 5- and 10-round magazines are available from brands like MDT and Accurate Mag for approximately $75-$120 each, but verify compatibility with the Christensen Arms' specific magazine well dimensions before purchase.