Christensen Ridgeline FFT vs Weatherby Backcountry Guide vs Fierce Rogue .280 AI

[KGLee357]

Hey all. I am in the market for a hunting rifle in .280 AI. I would like it to be relatively lightweight, although it does not necessarily need to be ultralight. In a perfect world I would buy a Cooper 92, but they are hard to come by and more and more expensive. I feel like the optimum barrel length would be 24”, although I am willing to entertain the idea of going shorter. I am also interested in carbon barrels, but this is not a must have. I have an interest in the rifles listed above and have identified some pros and cons with each. If anyone has first hand experience and would be willing to weigh in, I would certainly appreciate it. Currently Fierce is the only one of the three offering a 24” barrel; the other two come with a 22”. Thanks in advance for your time!

Keenan

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I have the FFT in 280 AI. Absolutely love it! Its a tackdriver and a pleasure to take into the back country. Its killed a bunch of stuff including 3 Alaskan moose.

 

[KGLee357]

Thanks for the response! I know previously they came with a 26” barrel, but it looks like you have the 22”, correct? What kind of loads are you shooting and what velocities are you achieving?

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Thanks for the response! I know previously they came with a 26” barrel, but it looks like you have the 22”, correct? What kind of loads are you shooting and what velocities are you achieving?

It is the 22”. I have just been shooting factory loads. The precision hunter is sub moa. Federal terminal ascent is closer to .5 - .6 moa

 

[deerhunter628]

I have 4 Christensen Arms rifles and they all shoot great. I dont have a 280 AI, but i do have a 300 PRC Ridgeline FFT. That FFT sure is great to pack around the mountains and it shoots great. I dont have any experience with the others you have listed.

 

[2Stamp]

I have a CA FFT in 280ai, it's one of my favorite rifles; hated the stock (long trigger reach and slick as dog crap). I replaced it with a peak 44 stock (bastion but the blacktooth felt good also).

I'm not a huge Weatherby fan, but since I replaced the stock on the CA with a peak44, I'd lean towards the backcountry guide. If you are going to suppress it you'll appreciate the 22" over a 24.

 

[KGLee357]

I appreciate the insight. It does seem that the stock is a common complaint with the Christensen. That said, it is about a thousand dollars cheaper than the Weatherby so maybe it’s worth going that direction and just making the upgrade?

 

[KGLee357]

I can’t run suppressors where I live, hence my hesitation to go to a shorter barrel. That said, if the velocity penalty is not that great it would certainly be handy to have the 22”.