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

[Nicaburns]

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

I have one in 7mm PRC… only 50 rounds through it so far but quite pleased with what I am seeing

 

[Mojave]

I would not buy a rifle from either company as both have QC issues.

I have experienced issues with Christensen and I won't buy another one. Their stock was great though.

I have an absolute hatred of the guy that owns fierce. We had an incident about 20 years ago. I was glad to hear that his company has QC issues as well.

Weatherby 307, Springfield 2020 there are lots of options for similar money.

 

[KGLee357]

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.

That makes sense. Hopefully it was an early issue that they have since resolved.

 

[KGLee357]

I would not buy a rifle from either company as both have QC issues.

I have experienced issues with Christensen and I won't buy another one. Their stock was great though.

I have an absolute hatred of the guy that owns fierce. We had an incident about 20 years ago. I was glad to hear that his company has QC issues as well.

Weatherby 307, Springfield 2020 there are lots of options for similar money.

Dang, I’m sorry to hear that. Honestly the main reason I had Fierce on the list was because of the barrel length. It seems like they have more frustrated customers than anyone. I’d love to at least get my hands on a Weatherby so that I can make a more educated choice. I do like the way the Christensens handle, understanding that some folks have had issues with them as well.

 

[KGLee357]

I have one in 7mm PRC… only 50 rounds through it so far but quite pleased with what I am seeing

How would you compare/contrast the Alpine CT with the Backcountry Guide? They seem like a generally similar product but I assume they have slightly different applications?

 

[K9kodi]

Anytime you add quality where hand fitting is required and it is done so by much smaller companies then large corporations you will undoubtedly put out a superior product, however problems will always persist. When you make an action and a bolt that sre not fine tuned together and tolerances are larger, you will less problems, as an example. I’m not excusing smaller mom and pop gun builders, I’m understanding that all companies have issues, you just open yourself up to more when you expect more and have higher quality products. It’s how you as a company address this issues.

 

[KGLee357]

Anytime you add quality where hand fitting is required and it is done so by much smaller companies then large corporations you will undoubtedly put out a superior product, however problems will always persist. When you make an action and a bolt that sre not fine tuned together and tolerances are larger, you will less problems, as an example. I’m not excusing smaller mom and pop gun builders, I’m understanding that all companies have issues, you just open yourself up to more when you expect more and have higher quality products. It’s how you as a company address this issues.

Well said!

 

[2Stamp]

How would you compare/contrast the Alpine CT with the Backcountry Guide? They seem like a generally similar product but I assume they have slightly different applications?

Initial look at both: different stocks. The black tooth is a Sporter style grip but actually fairly close. The Bastion (the Alpine) is more of a vertical grip. Totally depends on what feels good to you.

 

[Nicaburns]

How would you compare/contrast the Alpine CT with the Backcountry Guide? They seem like a generally similar product but I assume they have slightly different applications?

According to interviews, they can produce the 307 more efficiently so it is about $1,000 less cash.
Also, the Bastion is more of a vertical Grip stock.

 

[112Savage]

I know this is not apples to apples, but I have a backcountry guide in 280AI. It is crazy light. My father has a CA FFT in 6.5PRC also crazy light. I prefer shooting the Blacktooth stock he also has a weatherby talon in 300WBY with the same stock. I think for a sporter/open grip it’s a great lightweight design and I like it better than the CA FFT.

The bastion (alpine CT) stock is closer to a rokstok type vertical grip. I would say the bastion feels thinner and lighter especially in the grip than the rokstok but more vertical and more natural trigger finger/trigger hand placement than the more traditional stocks.

Comparing rokstok to bastion, I like the rokstok better. I need more time with the rokstok versus the blacktooth to know if I really like the modern design more.

I did kill two does this week with suppressed 6.5 creed 110 hammer hunters at 3100 using maven RS1.2 at medium power. At about 125-175yds I saw both does hit the dirt even though I didn’t see “impact of the bullet”. Standing while bracing against the tree. So maybe there is something to the recoil management of the rokstok type stocks.

 

[Crowmangler]

Following... I have a CA Ridgeline 7mmRM that I absolutely love. I have zero reason to get anything else but I've just about talked myself into getting the model 307 Alpine CT in 280AI. As soon as I can find one close to me I can get my hands on I'll know for sure. Would love to hear more real-world feedback on the 307.

 

[KGLee357]

According to interviews, they can produce the 307 more efficiently so it is about $1,000 less cash.
Also, the Bastion is more of a vertical Grip stock.

Right, the vertical grip stock and the 700 style action versus a Weatherby action. I wonder why it is so much less expensive to produce? They seem very similar other than those two notable differences.

 

[KGLee357]

That’s good feedback. I have been shooting sporter style rifles my whole life so that is my default go to. I would really like to spend some time behind one of the “modern” style stocks before committing to it. I’m just not convinced that it would be as versatile as I would like in a hunting rifle.

 

[KGLee357]

Following... I have a CA Ridgeline 7mmRM that I absolutely love. I have zero reason to get anything else but I've just about talked myself into getting the model 307 Alpine CT in 280AI. As soon as I can find one close to me I can get my hands on I'll know for sure. Would love to hear more real-world feedback on the 307.

Sounds like you will potentially be in a great position to provide an educated opinion on this conversation!

 

[Crowmangler]

Hopefully so. The hardest part is gonna be finding one near me I can hold

 

[Mtank79]

Dang, I’m sorry to hear that. Honestly the main reason I had Fierce on the list was because of the barrel length. It seems like they have more frustrated customers than anyone. I’d love to at least get my hands on a Weatherby so that I can make a more educated choice. I do like the way the Christensens handle, understanding that some folks have had issues with them as well.

I know it’s not the caliber but there’s several post on here about issues with the waypoint & the terrible customer service from Springfield. I don’t own a FFT but I’ve owned two ridgelines still own one. My 6.5 prc was awesome but someone snatched it a price I felt was high enough he wouldn’t buy. I turned right around & replaced it with a 7 prc ridgeline with 24”. I have handled a FFT @ my lgs & they handled like a dream. I’ll probably own a 6.5 prc FFT in the near future.

 

[pacoalcracker]

I own 2 CA Ridgeline FFT Ti rifles in 308 and 7prc. Both handle and shoot fantastic. I have no issues with the FFT stocks being slick and I have hunted in the rain with mine. I believe the quality issues with CA have been in the past and are long ago resolved. At any rate they will take care of any issues. The vertical grips are better for longer range shooting stability on a pack or bipod but not as quick to handle as the sweeping sporting grip many seek in a normal use hunting rifle. They are not for everyone.

I do own several later model Weatherby rifles, and they are well made and very accurate. I would have no issues with buying one. Quality is very high. Super lightweight rifles are not for everyone.

There will never be a Fierce rifle in my house.

 

[KGLee357]

I know it’s not the caliber but there’s several post on here about issues with the waypoint & the terrible customer service from Springfield. I don’t own a FFT but I’ve owned two ridgelines still own one. My 6.5 prc was awesome but someone snatched it a price I felt was high enough he wouldn’t buy. I turned right around & replaced it with a 7 prc ridgeline with 24”. I have handled a FFT @ my lgs & they handled like a dream. I’ll probably own a 6.5 prc FFT in the near future.

I appreciate the insight! The Springfield was never really on my radar. It does seem that the issues with the Christensens have mostly been sorted out in recent years.

 

[KGLee357]

I own 2 CA Ridgeline FFT Ti rifles in 308 and 7prc. Both handle and shoot fantastic. I have no issues with the FFT stocks being slick and I have hunted in the rain with mine. I believe the quality issues with CA have been in the past and are long ago resolved. At any rate they will take care of any issues. The vertical grips are better for longer range shooting stability on a pack or bipod but not as quick to handle as the sweeping sporting grip many seek in a normal use hunting rifle. They are not for everyone.

I do own several later model Weatherby rifles, and they are well made and very accurate. I would have no issues with buying one. Quality is very high. Super lightweight rifles are not for everyone.

There will never be a Fierce rifle in my house.

I do think that the vertical grip on the 307 Alpine CT is a deal breaker for me, unfortunately. It just does not appeal to me. So I still find myself stuck between the Ridgeline FFT and the Backcountry Guide. Ultimately I should probably just get one of each. I’ve also found myself wondering what the new Nighthawk Coopers will look like, if they ever wind up pulling it together…

 

[Mtank79]

I appreciate the insight! The Springfield was never really on my radar. It does seem that the issues with the Christensens have mostly been sorted out in recent years.

Yes they seem to be in a lot better place now. I’ve had several conversations with Jimmy @ CA. He was super helpful giving me the lowdown on my gun since it’s not listed as a ridgeline option.There’s a ton of bad reviews on them but most of the ones complaining have never handled one much less owned one. This is my 6.5 prc ridgeline that I sold. I put a AG alpine hunter stock on it.