Christensen 7mm PRC Advice

[rwtdog]

I am in the market for a backcountry gun. I am new to backcountry hunting. I grew up in Texas and am in my early 20's, so I haven't had a need for a true backcountry gun before.

Long story short, but I can get Christensen rifles for dealer pricing. The only problem is that I have heard of pretty significant problems with their rifles recently. If I were paying full retail, I would definitely go with something else, like a Seekins PH3. My question is, are those issues overblown, and/or does the fact that I can get it for essentially 50% off make it worth it to just go with the Christensen? Probably a Ridgeline in 7mm PRC.

Thanks in advance.

 

[hunting1]

My advice is don't get a Christensen. Mine was a 3" gun if lucky and when I sent it back they told me it was good. I tried every factory load available and 3-handloads. Nice guns but too many lemons IMHO.

 

[rwtdog]

My advice is don't get a Christensen. Mine was a 3" gun if lucky and when I sent it back they told me it was good. I tried every factory load available and 3-handloads. Nice guns but too many lemons IMHO.

Appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[Rjk300]

I haven’t had any issues with my ridgeline it shoots great, and the ridgeline fft is new but so far shooting very well working through loads at 100yds. Both are 300wm with NF nxs, the first has a stocky’s vg2 carbon ultra light bedded and the Ti slayer brake 9.1#, the seconds only change is a can replacing the brake 8.2#.

 

[rwtdog]

I haven’t had any issues with my ridgeline it shoots great, and the ridgeline fft is new but so far shooting very well working through loads at 100yds. Both are 300wm with NF nxs, the first has a stocky’s vg2 carbon ultra light bedded and the Ti slayer brake 9.1#, the seconds only change is a can replacing the brake 8.2#.

Thank you

 

[AM_Hunter]

My MPR in 300 PRC is constantly hit or miss, factory or hand loads. It'll sometimes shoot a group ~1" and then throw a round 2-3" off. I've even had it stack 3-rounds on top of each other then launch 2 more rounds into a 3-4" group. I'd like to get rid of it but I think Ill try a different scope, if its not the scope I may just throw an Outlier barrel on it and hope for the best.

 

[rwtdog]

My MPR in 300 PRC is constantly hit or miss, factory or hand loads. It'll sometimes shoot a group ~1" and then throw a round 2-3" off. I've even had it stack 3-rounds on top of each other then launch 2 more rounds into a 3-4" group. I'd like to get rid of it but I think Ill try a different scope, if its not the scope I may just throw an Outlier barrel on it and hope for the best.

Thanks. How far out is this from?

 

[Nicaburns]

I’ve only had two of the Mesa FFTs. First one blew primers and stuck due to chamber issues… I sent it back and now it shoots 3/4”… my second shoots .68 out of the box. A buddy just bought a 7prc Ridgeline fft and it shot .72 out of the box.
I have other rifles I like better but not scared of a Christensen given that they fixed the lemon.

 

[LongWayAround]

A buddy of mine had to send in a 300prc for headspace issues.

Pretty sure he intends to part ways with it.

 

[nobody]

I wouldn’t ever pick up another Christensen. My personal experiences are as follows:

1. Mesa in 308 had a tight chamber and the bolt wouldn’t close on most factory ammo. I never even fired it, scared me to death. I got it for free through their “points” system through a retailer and I still think I overpaid. The action was gritty and had burrs on the locking lugs and the stock had terrible ergos.

2. Dad’s MPR in 6.5 PRC. It was objectively incredibly accurate, but the barrel was crooked. We had to zero the rifle with the windage almost entirely “bottomed out” to one side (less than 2 MOA left until we hit the travel limit on windage). When he upgraded his scope to one with more elevation but less windage, we couldn’t get the gun zeroed. Sent down the road and he’s got a Seekins now that shoots even better and was totally worth the upgrade.

3. Former coworker had a Mesa in 7 rem mag. Never he had to hand load his 180 Bergers to 4 grains over book max to get it to shoot acceptably. But it did shoot well.

4. Former coworker’s dad had a ridgeline in 6.5 PRC. His barrel was also crooked like my dad’s, but he chose to live with it.

I’m relatively local to them, but I would never purchase from them. Not worth the headache and dice roll.

 

[IdahoBeav]

It seems like half of them wind up going back to the factory for corrections. I sent mine back to them. They rebarreled it, said it was good. It wasn't great, so I'm having a local gunsmith rebarrel it.

It really is a bummer that they have so many problems. I don't think there is another company in the market that mass produces M700 clones that look as good and are priced as well.

 

[AM_Hunter]

Thanks. How far out is this from?

100 yards

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Honestly just buy a Tikka T3X SKU# JRTXB37122MT
It's 7prc, stainless 22" barrel with muzzle threads from factory.

Then buy this kit.

Tikka T3X Accessories: Vertical Grip, Cheek Riser, & Bag Rider

Upgrade your stock Tikka T3x ergonomics with our meticulously designed Tikka accessory kit. Our Kit includes a Vertical Grip, Cheek Riser, and Bag Rider for precision shooting. Designed to give you the ergonomics of an aftermarket stock for a fraction of the price.

fullframeoutdoors.com

Buy these rings

UM Tikka Rings - Unknown Munitions

Tikka level sold separately HERE These rings attach directly to the Tikka Dovetail on the top of every Tikka T3 and T3X action, no need for a rail (scope base)! Each package comes with: 2 Scope Rings, 9/64″ Driver Bit, Blue Thread Locker, 2 x threaded reoil pins, 2 standard recoil pins. Made from…

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Then whatever scope you want.

 

[elkguide]

I've had no problems with any of the CA rifles that I have owned. I am down to only one, (a .300 RUM) and while rifles come and go around here, that CA is here to stay. Great rifle.

 

[AM_Hunter]

Should add as well, my buddy bought a Mesa FFT, with a few times of cycling the bolt it start dropping the firing pin when he would close the bolt. Luckily no ammo had been in it yet. He sent it back and when they returned it, it wouldnt cycle ammo from the mag. Turns out they installed the internal magazine in UPSIDE DOWN. Not the best QC...

 

[Long84]

I had a Mesa FFT in 7 PRC. It had chamber issues. Christensen fixed it. I traded it off for another rifle within the same year.