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”.

 

[2Stamp]

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”.

I don't know what velocities people are getting with 24s, I've kinda quit chasing velocity. I have 145s that hit 3100. I'm starting to reload some heavier bullets and where they end up close to max charge is where they end up. I'm not going to play the reloading refinement games. A 22" barrel does what I need it to.

 

[KGLee357]

I don't know what velocities people are getting with 24s, I've kinda quit chasing velocity. I have 145s that hit 3100. I'm starting to reload some heavier bullets and where they end up close to max charge is where they end up. I'm not going to play the reloading refinement games. A 22" barrel does what I need it to.

3100 with 145s is plenty for me. Everything is a compromise and that seems to be a reasonable one. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Gynaroo]

My fft 280 really likes ballistic tip 140 grain and 162 eldx. I’d buy the rifle again. It’s my second Christensen arms. I have many weatherbys. But the fft is going to save you some $$ for a nicer scope.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

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?

Why would you buy the FFT just to replace the stock? FFT is referring to the stock. Just buy a regular Ridgeline.

 

[2Stamp]

Why would you buy the FFT just to replace the stock? FFT is referring to the stock. Just buy a regular Ridgeline.

One reason is the current CA Ridgeline aren't made in 280ai.

 

[KGLee357]

One reason is the current CA Ridgeline aren't made in 280ai.

That’s exactly it. They had one in the past but it is no longer in production. It also came with a 26” barrel only which I am not interested in. I believe the FFT has a few other features besides the stock? But either way I am looking specifically for a .280 AI with a 22-24” barrel. I would be open to other options besides the three rifles listed, this is just the short list based on the research I have done. It seems that there is a consensus building here which I certainly appreciate!

 

[K9kodi]

I am new to the ca family. Just received my ridgeline fft/csrbon barrel in 300wm and compared to my weatherby, tikka, even win 70, this thing is a Ferrari. Not taking anything away from the others mentioned, just adding a whole hell of a lot to the ridgeline. It’s a whole nother class. Are there better? I’m sure , without a doubt, but my itch has been scratched.

 

[Nicaburns]

If you are considering Weatherby, why not the Alpine CT in 280ai? Under $1800 and checks all your boxes except 24” barrel

WTHBY 3WACT280AR4B 307 ALPINE CT 280AI 24MB

www.familyfirearms.com

 

[HuntHarder]

My fft in 300 win is very accurate and incredibly lightweight. Having said that, i bought one of the first ones and cracked the stock within 100 rds. Noticed my groups opening up and then found the rear pillar cracked. CA took care of it, but i was still without a gun for a couple months.

 

[KGLee357]

If you are considering Weatherby, why not the Alpine CT in 280ai? Under $1800 and checks all your boxes except 24” barrel

WTHBY 3WACT280AR4B 307 ALPINE CT 280AI 24MB

www.familyfirearms.com

It’s an interesting option that I had not looked at too closely. Do you have any personal experience with one?

 

[KGLee357]

My fft in 300 win is very accurate and incredibly lightweight. Having said that, i bought one of the first ones and cracked the stock within 100 rds. Noticed my groups opening up and then found the rear pillar cracked. CA took care of it, but i was still without a gun for a couple months.

That’s unfortunate, glad they took care of you at least. Was there any impact involved or just normal shooting conditions?

 

[HuntHarder]

Rifle was yet to be in the field. I imagine it was the high recoil of the 300, coupled with the lightweight stock and a lack of QC. 200 ish rounds on the new stock and no issues now.