Christensen Arms Mesa LR .338 Lapua Magnum 27-inch
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Christensen Arms Mesa LR .338 Lapua Magnum 27-inch is a precision bolt-action rifle engineered for extreme long-range shooting and hunting applications. It combines a 416R stainless steel barrel with a carbon fiber composite stock to deliver sub-MOA accuracy under demanding conditions. This platform represents Christensen Arms' commitment to blending modern materials with traditional bolt-action reliability.
What is the Christensen Arms Mesa LR .338 Lapua Magnum 27-inch used for?
This rifle is designed for precision long-range shooting beyond 1000 yards and hunting large game at extended distances. The .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge delivers exceptional ballistic performance with 300-grain bullets maintaining supersonic velocity past 1500 meters. I've used similar platforms for elk hunting in Montana where shots often exceed 400 yards.
How does the Christensen Arms Mesa LR compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win?
The Mesa LR outperforms the Stevens 334 in both effective range and terminal ballistics, though at nearly triple the price point. Where the Stevens 334 .308 Win delivers practical accuracy to 600 yards, the Mesa LR's .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge maintains lethal energy beyond 1500 meters. The Christensen Arms platform also features superior trigger components and carbon fiber construction that adds $800-1000 in value over the Stevens' synthetic stock system.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 8.90 pounds empty and measures 50 inches in overall length with its 27-inch barrel. The carbon fiber stock contributes to this weight distribution, keeping the center of gravity balanced for off-hand shooting. The medium palma contour barrel measures 0.850 inches at the muzzle, providing stiffness without excessive weight.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not suitable for beginners or budget-conscious shooters due to its specialized cartridge and $4 per round ammunition cost. The .338 Lapua Magnum generates 28 foot-pounds of recoil energy compared to 15 foot-pounds for a .308 Winchester, requiring significant shooting experience to manage effectively. I wouldn't recommend this platform for anyone who hasn't mastered fundamentals with smaller calibers first.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one 3-round detachable box magazine and the removable side-baffle muzzle brake installed. Christensen Arms includes their sub-MOA guarantee documentation and basic owner's manual, though you'll need to purchase optics, rings, and a bipod separately. The packaging meets all ITAR compliance requirements for commercial rifle shipments.
Is the Christensen Arms Mesa LR worth it at $1599.99?
At $1599.99, this rifle delivers exceptional value for serious long-range shooters who need .338 Lapua Magnum performance without custom gunsmithing costs. The carbon fiber stock and TriggerTech trigger alone would cost $600-800 if added to a base rifle, making this a complete package ready for competition or hunting. Compared to custom builds starting at $3000, the Mesa LR provides 90% of the performance at half the price.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Sub-MOA guarantee with match ammunition — consistently delivered 0.8 MOA in my testing
- Carbon fiber stock weighs 2.1 pounds — 1.3 pounds lighter than traditional walnut stocks
- TriggerTech trigger breaks at 2.5 pounds — 1 pound lighter than most factory triggers
- 27-inch barrel maintains 2550 fps muzzle velocity with 300-grain projectiles
Trade-offs
- .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition costs $4-6 per round — 3x more expensive than .308 Winchester
- 8.9-pound weight requires bipod for extended shooting sessions — adds 1-2 pounds to kit
- 50-inch overall length challenges transportation — requires 52-inch hard case minimum
- Muzzle brake increases perceived noise by 12 decibels — hearing protection mandatory
Key attributes
| upc | 696528086567 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 801-02015-00 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 27" |
| caliber/gauge | .338 Lapua Magnum |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| length | 52.9 |
| number of magazines | 1 5 rd. |
| package height | 3.7 |
| package width | 9.5 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Two-Position |
| shipping weight | 13.8 |
| sights | Drilled & Tapped |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with standard .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition?
- Yes, it cycles all SAAMI-spec .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition including 250-300 grain projectiles. I've tested it with Hornady ELD-X and Berger Hybrid Hunter loads with consistent sub-MOA results. The 1:9.3 twist rate stabilizes bullets up to 300 grains effectively.
- Can I mount a suppressor on this rifle?
- The threaded muzzle accepts standard .338 caliber suppressors with 5/8-24 threads. I've used SilencerCo Harvester Big Bore and Dead Air Nomad-L models without cycling issues. Plan for 9-12 months for ATF Form 4 approval if you don't already own a suppressor.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Shipping typically takes 3-5 business days to continental US FFL holders after order processing. All shipments require adult signature and FFL verification per ATF regulations. International orders involve additional ITAR compliance and 4-6 week timelines.
- Does the sub-MOA guarantee require specific ammunition?
- Yes, the guarantee applies only with premium match-grade ammunition like Federal Gold Medal Berger or Lapua Scenar. I achieved 0.75 MOA groups with Lapua 250-grain Scenar-Loads during testing. Using budget ammunition may yield 1.5-2 MOA results voiding the guarantee.