TTAG’s truth tellers play with tons of guns. Some of these guns are excellent: ballistic baubles that blow us out of the water. Some of these firearms don’t quite stack up (i.e. they suck). Smoking stogies in RF’s top-secret above-ground bunker, Dan, Robert and I put our heads together to identify the one gun that ruled them all in 2014. The winner of our first Editor’s Choice Firearm of the Year award: MasterPiece Arms’ MPA-308 BA.
Most people know MasterPiece Arms as the company that makes MAC-10 clones. Whether that clouds people’s judgement or not, it’s safe to say that not all their products are not universally loved. Regular readers will recall that I made disparaging remarks about the MasterPiece Arms MAC-10 in 5.7x28mm. That article led to a challenge to visit their factory, where I discovered the truth about MasterPiece Arms. Specifically, the MPA-308 BA.
The MPA-308 BA isn’t a five star gun. As my review indicated, it isn’t perfect. But it’s a wonderful gun: a hand-crafted, precision-machined bolt action rifle. Each barrel is individually bored, rifled and hand lapped to perfection. Every action is individually tested to ensure that what leaves the factory is up to spec. The chassis provides a solid platform for the rest of the gun. The icing on the cake: MPA-308 BA costs a fraction of the price of comparably-equipped bolt action rifles ($3k).
You’re looking at four rounds in less than 0.2 MoA at 100 yards using Federal ammo. That’s a remarkable achievement from a remarkable rifle at an affordable price. Congratulations to MasterPiece Arms for producing the most outstanding firearm we encountered in 2014.
I really hope this can turn their company around to start making more quality firearms. Perhaps, given their output capacity, they should try to acquire Kel-Tec and turn out some of that vaporware for the masses.
Keep talking OT smack, Jack…
BTW, I read the reason Keltec is innovative is because they are self funded, and by Founder principles, thats NOT gonna change.
I suppose MPA could take anon internet mba candidates suggestions to sell out to Freedom Group or offshore production to Smith and Wesson Holdings…
see how that works out…
Innovative doesn’t mean much if people can’t get the products. The Large Hadron Collider is innovative, but how do you benefit from it?
Once I have my Higgs Boson I ordered from Amazon I’ll let you know.
MSRP: $2,999 (Street price around $2,600)
I built a very similar looking rile using a Mosin Nagant 91/30, an Archangel stock, and a Barska scope for about $300. It’s remarkably accurate, and that left $2700 for ammo…about 30,000 rounds at current surplus prices. :^D
Mine will shoot MOCM (Minute Of Center Mass) quite nicely at 200+ yards.
Yeah, I don’t consider $3k to be “a fraction of the price” of similar guns. Yes, there are precision .308 rifles that tip the scales at $6K. However, there are also a lot of very food guns that cost in the $3k – $4k range. I’m not saying that this MPA gun is not good – I’m sure it is – just don’t try and tell me it’s some sort of stupendous bargain.
Well, technically 3k is a fraction of 3k or 4k. Specifically, it’s 1/1 or 3/4.
Hey, Jolly, just joshin’ and props to MPA for the effort.
Great review, Nick, and that includes the old review too. Tell me why I should move up from Grampas bolt gun, per the outstanding advice on that earlier review, per Dys, and Gunr, thank you Respected Elders of the POTG for reminding me what works…
But, Nick, just for fun, why not .338 if you are going big, and why not update that MPA review with the big gun, using the scanner and CEP groups you have mentioned, and what about the trigger?
I had a stock Savage 10 that shot groups the same size. And that was a $650 rifle. Color me unimpressed
I have a Savage 10BA I picked up for a ridiculous deal… replaced the absurd scope rail and put an XLR industries buttstock on it. Shoots 1/2MOA all day with factory Federal 168Gr GMM.
Doubt I would ever buy one but looking at the retail cost of all the parts, its pretty amazing that MPA could sell the gun at what I think might be the wholesale price and make money.
That is a sexy looking rifle. I’ll take one in 7-300 mag.
Good on them for keeping the price down. I’ve looked at MOA rifles, McMillan, Gunwerks, etc. they’re all good, but pricier than this.
According to the original review, that’s a .6 moa group. You only get .2 by ignoring one of the shots. I wish you guys (TTAG) would give up on this coulda, woulda, shoulda, sorta, kinda BS you use to overstate accuracy.
On Monday, I shot five five slot groups that averaged 1.3 moa. Four of the five groups had at least three shots touching each other. According to your logic, I shot under .5 moa. Except I didn’t. How big are the fish you guys catch?
I do accept as true with all of the ideas you’ve introduced in your post.
They are really convincing and can definitely work.
Still, the posts are very brief for newbies. May you please extend them a bit from subsequent time?
Thanks for the post.
I find it to be meh. The Sauer SSG 3000 has the same accuracy while only costing 1.5k USD + you can switch barrels and bolts quickly allowing you to change calibers with minimal fuss.
There is something to say about a company that sees a well respected website criticize their product and, instead of slamming the website and threatening lawsuits, they challenge the editors to take a look at what they truly have to offer. If I had the money I would buy this rifle, and I’ll probably end up buying their MPAR as well.
People who criticize MPA are going off the crude look of their macs and simple design and not the excellent performance of their guns. These critics don’t own them. I have 4 and they are great guns, very reliable . Why change a design that is already very reliable and easy to break down and clean, with the buffer the only thing ever needing replacement for a couple bucks? If you like pretty , well finished guns go buy a 1911 and while your clearing jams I’ll be still having fun.