Christensen Arms CA-10 DMR
Christensen Arms has established itself as one of the top hunting rifle manufacturers. The company makes premium guns using the latest space-age materials like titanium and carbon fiber. While mostly known for bolt guns, Christensen also produces a line of AR-style rifles, including the CA-10 DMR.
This CA-10 DMR came from the Guns.com Certified Used inventory. It features 7075 billet aluminum upper and lower receivers, a black nitride bolt carrier group, and a carbon fiber handguard.
The 22-inch barrel, also made by Christensen, is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and has a 416R stainless-steel core and outer carbon fiber wrap. This wrap both reduces weight and helps with heat dissipation.
The rifle comes from the factory with a titanium muzzle brake, match-grade trigger, and a Magpul STR stock. This used gun had a Magpul PRS stock installed, but I found it too long. I installed a Magpul DT-PR stock, which is superior to the STR for long-range rifle shooting because it has an integrated bag rider.
My Setup
I also installed a Black Collar Arms Priapus grip because I prefer a more vertical shooting angle. This helps not only in the prone position, but also in unorthodox shooting positions you might find in the field.
The CA-10 DMR’s action is your standard rifle-length AR direct-impingement gas system, and it fed and ran flawlessly with all the ammo I tested. I tried shooting the CA-10 with a suppressor, but I ran into feeding issues. Since the gas system is not adjustable, there is no way to tune it for a can. Stick with the factory brake, and you will be fine.
On top of the gun, I mounted a Vortex Razor Gen II 4.5-27x56 in a Vortex Precision Extended Cantilever Mount. This is not a lightweight option, but I wanted a top-of-the-line scope to push this rifle to its limits. The Razor delivers industry-leading glass and precise tracking.
I took the CA-10 DMR to Peacemaker National Training Center in the mountains of West Virginia and took shots from a mountaintop toward direct sun into a shadowed valley. Still, with the Razor, I was able to easily locate and engage targets past 600 yards. Call me impressed, because these are difficult conditions. There is a reason the Razor is still one of the top choices for competitive shooters.
Even with the scope and accessories, the naked 8-pound CA-10 only came up to 11.5 pounds.
Shooting Experience
After sighting in and getting data at the Peacemaker 100-yard range, I moved to the Starlight range with targets from 150 to 481 yards. I shot from all kinds of positions using the ultra-versatile Tricer RP bipod. With one bipod, you can go from prone to sitting to kneeling, and it is half the price of its competitors and weighs under a pound.
I also did some barricade and tank trap work with my positional bag, and the CA-10 shined. The Christensen Arms brake with its adjustable ports tamed the recoil so I was easily able to spot my own hits and make corrections on the fly. Because it’s a light rifle, you do have to use proper technique to drive the rifle. The free-recoil technique won’t let you see your impacts. But if you do your job, this gun will do its job.
The next Peacemaker stop was the Frontier range, where I shot out to 600 yards. Despite stories on the internet, typical hunting distances are 50-300 yards; 400 and 500-yard shots are only attempted by the most skilled hunters. I wanted to see the capabilities of the CA-10, and oh man, can it shoot.
Repeated 600-yards hits were not difficult. You may be able to tell from the video that winds were coming from multiple directions and gusting from 5-15 mph. I also made 400-yard sitting shots pretty easily. For all the shots at the Frontier range, I used the Tricer HK tripod, which is light but rock solid. If you are wondering how I was carrying all this equipment, check out the OBI Link System. It’s a revolutionary transport method that does away with slings. I love it, and it makes carrying my rifle, tripod, and support bag so much more convenient when both hiking and shooting.
Accuracy
One of the best things about Christensen Arms rifles is that they come with a sub-MOA guarantee. The CA-10 lived up to this claim and shot well with everything I tried, including DoubleTap Match, Federal Gold Medal Berger, and even Hornady American Gunner.
Pros & Cons
In general, I love this gun, but I do have some criticisms. First, the Magpul DT-PR stock should come standard on it, as it is a much better precision rifle stock than the Magpul STR that is included from the factory.
Secondly, a rifle at this price point should come with some way to adjust the gas or buffer system so it can be tuned for suppressor use. Suppressor hunting has become much more popular, and a rifle at this price point should have that capability.
Also, the handguard accessory interfaces (KeyMod and Picatinny) are a little outdated. Most new long-range rifles have M-LOK and Arca rail attachment methods. I had to use an adapter on the Pic rail because all my long-range accessories are Arca.
Pros:
- Light
- Great muzzle brake
- Reliable
- Accurate (sub-MOA)
Cons:
- Better stock available
- Issues with suppressors
- KeyMod and Picatinny are somewhat outdated on long-range rifles
-
Cost
Summary
