Hello! I joined the forum today more or less specifically to “revive” this old thread! I recently purchased a MPA PMR PRO II rifle and wanted to share my experience….
I found myself wanting a precision .308 rifle in late July. I was doing research, looking at various options… Seekins Precision, Aeros Solus, Tikka T3X, etc etc and I stumbled upon a video by Paramount Tactical (it was actually a REVIEW of a Seekins rifle) where he mentions MPA rifles repeatedly. I went down the rabbit hole and within a few days I decided I HAD to have a MPA rifle. Through some email exchanges (actually with Phil the owner of MPA) I placed the order on 7/29/24. The website said to expect something like 13-18 weeks for production so I was in no hurry at all and didn’t expect I’d even see the rifle before the snow flies this winter! I ordered a non-folding stock, .308 with a 26” barrel, black in color, with standard stainless barrel finish. No brake (as I expected to add a can later). Pretty much a “no frills” MPA production rifle and I have to say they (Phil and others) were absolute sweethearts through the process. Super responsive to questions and overall very friendly and helpful.
Well… much to my surprise and elation I randomly received a shipping notification from MPA only about 3-4 short weeks after my order and I had the rifle in hand my the end of August! I put an Arken EP5 5-25X56 scope on it and went to the range with variety of different factory loads (I’m not a reloader…yet). I chose Federal Gold Medal 168gr OTM as my first ammo thru the rifle, spent about three rounds zeroing the optic at 100yds and shot my very first 3-shot group out if it:
Needless to say I was impressed and extremely happy with my purchase!
The fun ended there though as I soon discovered that the rifle doesn’t really like much OTHER than those federal 168gr OTM rounds! I have had sporadic success with Hornady 150gr “whitetail” and S&B 180gr SP. However I haven’t been able to get the barrel to group decently with any of the Hornady ELD, ELD-X, A-MAX and other match ammunitions. Granted my rifle shooting skills are not great and my eyesight is poor at best. I have been switching between shoot right handed (my norm) and left due to the fact I’m left-eye dominant and my right eye sucks terribly. I have had moderate success doing that.
I’m now sitting at 233 rounds through the barrel since new. I’ve added a can (SilencerCo EVO Harvester 30) and I can say the rifle is pretty much completely broken in. I shot the best group of my life the other day. It was with the can, and using those Federal Gold Medal 168gr OTM loads!
Anyway… I just wanted to revive this old thread and report on my findings with the MPA rifle. I’m very pleased with it so far and I’m planning to get into reloading so I can see how great the rifle REALLY is. I know I’m holding it back in many ways. Most factory loads I’ve ran thru the gun have averaged about 1 MOA in accuracy. However I can pretty consistently get 1/2 MOA or better with those Federal 168’s so I KNOW there’s tremendous potential there. My next steps are to reach out to 1,000yds and start my reloading journey. Love to hear anyone else’s experiences or opinions about MPA rifles.
