Zarvan
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2011
- Messages
- 54,470
- Reaction score
- 87
- Country
- Location
Laughably Easy.
That’s how I would describe hitting targets at 1000 yards with the MPA BA Lite PCR Competition Rifle, MasterPiece Arms’ new rifle for use in the production class of the Precision Rifle Series. I dialed in the trued data and pressed the trigger. Thanks to the low recoil of 6.5 Creedmoor, the scope stayed on target and 1.39 seconds later I witnessed a first round hit.. It’s not often I am impressed by a firearm, but the BA Lite PCR certainly accomplished that.
First Impressions:
These come from the same factory? It’s like the firearm version of the movie Twins
When I heard I would be testing a long-range precision rifle from MasterPiece Arms, I was somewhat bemused. I had known MasterPiece more for their MAC-pattern pistols, such as the MPA10. To my own fault, I had been ignorant of how extensively the company was involved in long range precision, hosting both precision rifle matches and long range training courses under the Aegis of MPA BA Academy. Their investment in long-range precision has paid off, as such capability is definitely within the wheelhouse of their MPA BA series of rifles. The PCR was specially designed for the Precision Rifle Series, as covered by our own Richard Johnson back in May. The PCR, as I’ll refer to it from now on, came in a standard plastic hardcase. At first glance, it looked like a Savage 10 BA Stealth with a skeletonized stock, but had many more features upon closer inspection. The BA Lite PCR sits within MPA’s “Lite” aluminum chassis. Machined from 6061 aluminum, my example came in their “burnt bronze” color. The stock had a nice bubble level built right into the bore line, rearward of the safety.
Great placement of bubble level was easy to check whenever I was on the gun
The stock also had a machined thumb notch on both sides above the grip, and was set up for a spigot mount. Upon first picking up the rifle, I noticed it was very front heavy due to the combination of the light chassis and the heavy 26″ Bergara barrel.
Custom chambered barrel
Total weight of the rifle was 14.4lbs when combined with a Leupold Mark IV scope and one piece QD scope mount, so the “Lite” is relative. The action and bolt were straight up from a factory Savage Model 12. I suspect that the bolt and action are the main cost-saving difference when comparing the PCR to the other MPA BA rifles which feature Kelby Atlas (blue-printed Remington 700-style) premium actions. Working the bolt was…well, what you would expect from a Savage model 12. After lifting the bolt 90 degrees, the bolt worked back and forth somewhat haltingly and loosely. As I’ll cover later, it is the one weakness of this rifle. The Rifle Basix trigger, however, was excellent and cleanly broke at 2lbs each and every time as measured from a Lyman digital gauge. The rifle also came with Magpul’s excellent AICS short action Pmag.
Range Time:
The best way to watch sunrise…at the range!
I had the opportunity to test out the PCR for accuracy and reliability prior to putting it through Hughston Shooting School’s full-fledged 250 round Long-Range Precision Rifle Course. Armed with the aforementioned Vortex Optics LRBC data, I headed out to the range to try out 5 different loads to see which were the most accurate. The length of pull and cheek riser are adjustable via set screws, but seemed to work just perfectly for me out of the box. I was all set to settle into some shooting. Accuracy results are as follows. All groups are 5 shots@100 yards, measured center-center and supported by an Atlas bipod and small rear bag.
- Hornady 140gr ELD Match: .402″
- Hornady 143gr ELD-X Precision Hunter: .544″
- Hornady 120gr A-Max: .884″
- Hornady 129gr Interlock American Whitetail: .815″
- American Eagle 140gr OTM: 1.284″
All rounds tested performed well, with the exception of American eagle which exhibited quite a vertical spread
