Miller Precision Arms MPA300 Guardian

Miller Precision Arms was showing off their MPA300 Guardian at the SHOT Show Media Day this year.  According to MPA, the Guardian is the first, “and only”, .300 Win Mag to reach the market in a truly AR platform.  The show model was set out in a nice personalized hard cover rifle case, complete with extra magazines and accessories, enticing shooters to get behind the cross hairs.

Made from 7075-T651 aircraft grade aluminum, the MPA300 is tailored for the serious precision shooter.  MPA boasts the Guardian is designed to weigh the same as the M110 sniper rifle, but yield twice the range.  The MPA300 uses a titanium charging handle, and firing pin.  Only premium barrels from Kreiger, Bartlein, and Mike Rock are used in MPA rifles, and they are contoured in house using CNC machines.  Barrels are chambered using Benchrest building techniques assuring the hand cut chamber is perfectly aligned to the bore.  With only a few exceptions, the MPA300 has all AR10 internals making any replacements easily obtainable.  Externally, the Guardian is ready to accept aftermarket components, such as the Magpul PRS 7.62×51.

The semi-auto AR platform, using double stack magazines, delivers amazing results that should quell most of the concerns any skeptic might have.  Despite a continuous strong debate on the accuracy of semi-auto precision rifles versus traditional bolt-action rifles, in my opinion, the MPA300 joins a short list of semi-auto rifles that could go the distance with the best.

The MPA representative had me firing at a 565 meter steel target.  Obviously the rifle was dialed in for that distance, but even with sometimes brisk cross winds I was able to get on target after a near miss on the first shot.  From a bench rest position getting back on target was almost immediate after each shot, despite the powerful 300 Win Mag cartridge being fired.

Recoil was amazingly reasonable, as I was fully expecting a much harsher welcome from the Guardian.  In comparison, the MPA300 recoil was equivalent, and perhaps even just a bit lighter than the .308 GA Precision “Rock” Remington 700 I routinely shoot.  This coming from a rifle with a 20” barrel.  Other than feeling the bolt cycling, the Guardian’s tolerances were very tight.

The MPA representative advised that they are building the MPA300 to be capable of accurate shots to 1500 yards.  From what I got to experience, the Guardian seems to be a serious contender in precision rifles, and a stand out semi-auto option.  Perhaps the only drawback is the Guardian’s price, set for $5399.  I guess when you’re the only one on the market the price can reflect your solitude.  MPA must recognize the price line is steep, however, as they offer a financing option when purchasing.

Here are the MPA300 specifications:

• Barrel Material – stainless steel ultra match; chrome-moly steel optional
• Barrel Length – 20” standard; 16.25”, 18”, 22” and 24” optional
• Contour – SPR standard; Super Match, Match, M4, and Bull Barrel optional
• Caliber – .300 Win Mag
• Gas System – Rifle length standard; Pistol, Carbine, and Mid-length optional
• Forearm – Precision Reflex Inc. 308 AR Delta standard; YHM 12.520” and 12.520” Customizable, and Precision Reflex Inc. GEN III Carbon Fiber Delta optional.
• Stock – Magpul PRS 7.62×51 standard; LMT SOPMOD optional
• Finish – Cerakote Dark Earth (Other color options available); Parkerized, Blued, Bead Blasted, Polished, Custom, and Hard Black Anodized
• Thread Pitch – 5/8-24 tpi standard; 1/2-28 tpi, 9/16-24 tpi optional
• Twist Rate – 1:10
• Muzzle Break – Hammer Head
• Trigger – 2-stage standard; Giesselle National Match 2-stage trigger option