Christensen Arms Accuracy

[PredatorSlayer]

I have been getting a lot of shit for sharing my experience with CA. I have owned quite a few of them and currently have 2. My first was a BA Tactical in 6.5 PRC. I also have an FFT in 280 AI. In preparation for my upcoming caribou hunt, I hit the range. I took the BA Tactical Bear hunting this spring and ended up taking a hard fall on some rocks which resulted in some broken ribs and a nice ding on my scope. Never checked zero and shot a nice black bear at 653 yards the next day. Just for fun I thought I would check zero today at 100 yards. This was the result. It does this consistently with Hornady Match Ammo. Its has been harder to find a factory load my FFT likes, mostly because of the limited option, but it will shoot any of the federal premium sub moa. This was the first 5 shots from my BA Tactical today:




I have several targets that look similar to this over the last 5 years from this CA rifle .

 

[MTMeatHunter]

I’ve seen you get a lot of crap for your Christensens, but you always seem to “stick to your guns”. I’ve only owned one. It shot a couple kinds of factory ammo into 3/4” five shot groups at 100 pretty darn consistently. I know they get a lot of hate, but I really liked that Mesa and regret selling it sometimes. Great rifle.

I own three Tikkas too, but I think CA puts out rifles that check boxes for me, out of the box.

 

[Tradchef]

I have a Ridgeline FFT I picked up in 6.5 CM for a light weight pack rifle for deer and longer treks in the mountains. It shoots outstanding. I just picked up a Bergara B-14 in 300 PRC that shoots fantastic as well. My 340 Weatherby Magnum is one of my favorites along with my 35 Whelen in Ruger Number 1 and Weatherby Mark V but that little 6.5 CM in the FFT is lights out. I would totally buy another one with zero hesitations.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

Between my son and me, we have three ridglines. The worst of the three(300rum) still shoots very good. The other two shoot excellent.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Yeah have an fft 6.5 that is a tack driver too, have a .308 that is pretty meh action seems decent so will probably re-barrel one of these years

 

[nobody]

Dad had an MPR in 6.5 PRC that shot groups about the same size, it was impressive. Darn thing was just dead under recoil too with that giant brake and their chassis. Plus it looked cool, which no matter what anyone says, matters a lot. It was sweet.

He traded it in on.a Seekins after discovering the scope base holes were either drilled waaaaaaaaaaaay off center, or the barrel was crooked. We didn’t notice it with his old VX5 leupold with the super wide windage adjustment range, but his replacement Maven had more elevation and less windage adjustment and we couldn’t get it zeroed left and right. We started messing with the VX5 we pulled off and realized it was zeroed a mere 3 MOA off the left hand side of the erector assembly. Couple that with the splintering carbon fiber on the handguard, plus his desire for a shorter barreled rifle to suppress and carry easier, and we went that weekend and picked up a Seekins and he’s been happy.

For all the crap I’ve seen over the years with Christensen, I’ve yet to see one that wasn’t accurate. Lots of other issues for sure, but accuracy is never one I’ve seen. My guess is if you get one that’s straight and true with the other gremlins worked out, they make great rifles.

 

[TaperPin]

I’ve found the CA hate to be humorous. I keep buying CA take off barrels and they are a great value, often shooting as well as one costing two or three times as much. I get extra pleasure spanking the kids with a $200 barrel. For all the talk of people demanding accuracy, many have settled for worse accuracy than the average CA. To get a chamber on the smaller side of SAAMI tolerances used to require a custom reamer and custom barrel - at this price point it’s a treat in the CA.

Folks want dependable designs, and the CA is for all intents and purposes no different than the Remington which has been so reliable not much has had to change since the 1950s. Over 70 years of proven accuracy that is still the most copied design around the world. Folks talk about crappy quality control, but every one I’ve ever picked up and looked closely at is better machined and finished than any Remington. The chambers of my CA barrels look and have runout as good as many full customs.

I’ve heard guys poo poo the stock for days on end, but then it turns out they’re shooting a plastic stock with poor shape. I’ll take a CA stock over a plastic stock every time. For a hunting rifle that is actually carried in the hands, the long pistol grip is so much easier to carry vs a vertical grip. For some hunting styles it’s a no brainer. When the nephew has the rifle slung on a shoulder instead of his hands in the timber I remind him to check his purse for a hygiene product with a string and get his hands on the rifle or I have better things to do than watch him struggle if an elk stands up and safely walks off.

For its price point a solid value overall in my book.

 

[Formidilosus]

I have been getting a lot of shit for sharing my experience with CA. I have owned quite a few of them and currently have 2. My first was a BA Tactical in 6.5 PRC. I also have an FFT in 280 AI. In preparation for my upcoming caribou hunt, I hit the range. I took the BA Tactical Bear hunting this spring and ended up taking a hard fall on some rocks which resulted in some broken ribs and a nice ding on my scope. Never checked zero and shot a nice black bear at 653 yards the next day. Just for fun I thought I would check zero today at 100 yards. This was the result. It does this consistently with Hornady Match Ammo. Its has been harder to find a factory load my FFT likes, mostly because of the limited option, but it will shoot any of the federal premium sub moa. This was the first 5 shots from my BA Tactical today:


View attachment 913261

I have several targets that look similar to this over the last 5 years from this CA rifle .

Is it precision that is the chief issue brought up about Christiansen?

 

[atmat]

I have been getting a lot of shit for sharing my experience with CA. I have owned quite a few of them and currently have 2. My first was a BA Tactical in 6.5 PRC. I also have an FFT in 280 AI. In preparation for my upcoming caribou hunt, I hit the range. I took the BA Tactical Bear hunting this spring and ended up taking a hard fall on some rocks which resulted in some broken ribs and a nice ding on my scope. Never checked zero and shot a nice black bear at 653 yards the next day. Just for fun I thought I would check zero today at 100 yards. This was the result. It does this consistently with Hornady Match Ammo. Its has been harder to find a factory load my FFT likes, mostly because of the limited option, but it will shoot any of the federal premium sub moa. This was the first 5 shots from my BA Tactical today:


View attachment 913261

I have several targets that look similar to this over the last 5 years from this CA rifle .

For someone who defends them so much, didn’t your 280AI start as a lemon?

…but I was like F that, it has an accuracy guarantee. I sent it back to CA and just got it back a few days ago… They ended up rebarreling the rifle

 

[Hnthrdr]

Is it precision that is the chief issue brought up about Christiansen?

I think it’s lack of qc/ variety of craftsmanship/ repeatability of solid results, some guys get one and it’s 3/4 Moa groups with the first factory ammo they try, other people are chasing 2-3 moa groups and have to shoot 7-8 different weights/ manufacturers to even get down to 1.5 moa… which maybe guys wouldn’t be mad if it was 350$ rifle but for a 2k+ price range that isn’t acceptable

 

[PredatorSlayer]

For someone who defends them so much, didn’t your 280AI start as a lemon?

It wouldnt shoot better than 1.5” 5 shot groups. I sent it back, they had it for a few weeks and rebarreled it. Now it shoots well. It also had a heavy bolt lift, it came back buttery smooth.

What happens when you get a tikka that doesn’t shoot?

 

[Hnthrdr]

It wouldnt shoot better than 1.5” 5 shot groups. I sent it back, they had it for a few weeks and rebarreled it. Now it shoots well. It also had a heavy bolt lift, it came back buttery smooth.

What happens when you get a tikka that doesn’t shoot?

You probably have a heck of a time getting it fixed? I dunno I have have 5 tikkas that are all out of the box accurate with just about any factory ammo I’ve fed them. I’m still working to get my CA .308 to do better than 2 moa, I’ve ran about 7 different factory loads through it, torqued to spec, check the scope, checked the rings, I’ve got about 2 more types of ammo I’m gonna try before it becomes a doner action

 

[atmat]

It wouldnt shoot better than 1.5” 5 shot groups. I sent it back, they had it for a few weeks and rebarreled it. Now it shoots well. It also had a heavy bolt lift, it came back buttery smooth.

What happens when you get a tikka that doesn’t shoot?

I dunno, I haven’t had that happen in the six I’ve owned.

That seems to be people’s complaints about CA. It’s just an R700 clone that can shoot lights out but is also marked by QC issues that you experienced.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I dunno, I haven’t had that happen in the six I’ve owned.

That seems to be people’s complaints about CA. It’s just an R700 clone that can shoot lights out but is also marked by QC issues that you experienced.

Hopefully you are playing the lottery…

 

[PredatorSlayer]

You probably have a heck of a time getting it fixed? I dunno I have have 5 tikkas that are all out of the box accurate with just about any factory ammo I’ve fed them. I’m still working to get my CA .308 to do better than 2 moa, I’ve ran about 7 different factory loads through it, torqued to spec, check the scope, checked the rings, I’ve got about 2 more types of ammo I’m gonna try before it becomes a doner action

Or just send it in and make them fix the accuracy issues? They pay for shipping etc. or sell it to me for the cost of the action and I’ll send it in and make them fix it lol.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Or just send it in and make them fix the accuracy issues? They pay for shipping etc. or sell it to me for the cost of the action and I’ll send it in and make them fix it lol.

Haha I might contact them, like I said I am going to try 168 TMK’s and see if it’s any better otherwise it’s getting a 6cm barrel

 

[atmat]

Hopefully you are playing the lottery…

Nope, no lottery. It’s just a probability game. For whatever reason, people report less issues with Tikkas. They certainly still exist, you just don’t hear much about them.

CA gets lots of reports of issues, though the company seems great about fixing it for free which is totally great.

I just don’t see the need to spend on a CA when a Tikka gives you better odds, is nicer and still cheaper once you replace the stock, and isn’t an R700 clone.

And transparently, lest I be called a “fanboy,” I’ve sold most of my Tikkas in favor of the new MRC Marshalls. I only have two left, one of which is a rimfire.

People can and should buy what they want. They should also know that CAs have a reputation of poor quality control for a reason — one that you personally experienced with both the bolt lift and barrel.

Edit: for perspective, out of the six guys who have posted in this thread saying they own CAs, 50% of those acknowledged theirs have significant issues. That’s a problem.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Nope, no lottery. It’s just a probability game. For whatever reason, people report less issues with Tikkas. They certainly still exist, you just don’t hear much about them.

CA gets lots of reports of issues, though the company seems great about fixing it for free which is totally great.

I just don’t see the need to spend on a CA when a Tikka gives you better odds, is nicer and still cheaper once you replace the stock, and isn’t an R700 clone.

And transparently, lest I be called a “fanboy,” I’ve sold most of my Tikkas in favor of the new MRC Marshalls. I only have two left, one of which is a rimfire.

People can and should buy what they want. They should also know that CAs have a reputation of poor quality control for a reason — one that you personally experienced with both the bolt lift and barrel.

Edit: for perspective, out of the six guys who have posted in this thread saying they own CAs, 50% of those acknowledged theirs have significant issues. That’s a problem.

Not surprised as I consider you one of lead koolaid drinkers of the forum…lol. Hopefully you have rokstoks on those Marshalls. I am guessing they came with it, or did you get the barreled action and put a rokstok on it?