Christensen Rifle Stocks and accuracy

[Larry Jones]

I've been looking at picking up a Ridgeline Christensen and have had a couple tell me how they were disappointed in the quality of the stock for the price of the gun. I've noticed they were spongy in the store, but does it affect accuracy at all? Anyone notice POI changes when shooting off bipod compared to bags? Has anyone tried putting those barreled actions in a different stocks and seen improvements in accuracy and consistency?

 

[Ryan Avery]

Never owned one but helped with load development on two. Both shot great on the bench and off of bipods out to 1149 yards. I think updating to a stock that fits you better is always a good idea.

 

[mt100gr.]

Of the ones I have handled and been around, the stocks are quite flimsy in the fore end. I also do not like the very small and very swept back pistol grip of the ridgelines. If I were to own one it would go directly into an aftermarket stock.

 

[daddie63]

I’m curious 406Smith who you’re thinking.

 

[Lawnboi]

Gunwerks GRB $850 (Brownells regularly has them for $765 + free shipping)
Proof Research $730 (Stockys regularly has them for $657)
Timney 510 or TT Primary ~$125 (or less)
Smith to chamber & thread muzzle ~$450 (local smith, LRI, TSC, other)
Total is just at $2k, and you can pick caliber, twist, barrel length, etc. Maybe you can sell the ridgeline stock to make the difference a little larger, but I'm guessing there's not a lot of demand on the secondary market. Obviously my own opinion, but the extra $100 would be well worth it.

I don’t get at what your getting at. That’s a long way from a complete rifle.

I have a Mesa. Same stock. It’s a sporter style stock. I don’t think it’s the worst. 34 oz for ounce counters. If you don’t want that style stock don’t buy the gun. Not the stiffest stock out there, but not a noodle. My Mesa stock is cracked in the inlet, it’s going back: and after seeing thier spot bed job I’ll be having the bedding done on my dime if I decide to put the stock back on.

I still think the Mesa is a lot of gun for the money. It shot a moa with factory ammo, a cracked stock, and a sloppy bed job, along with some forearm contact. I can’t wait to see what it shoots with a fixed stock

 

[Lawnboi]

The OP was asking about replacing the stock on the Ridgeline. So if you have to buy a replacement stock, then you ostensibly just bought a Christensen barreled action. I said you could do better on a barreled action then the cost of a Ridgeline. When asked how one might do better, I itemized what I think is better. It has no bearing on whether or not I think Christensen is good or bad or has value or not.

Got it, definetly wouldn’t spend that either to just use it as a donor barreled action. Its still much more affordable than a custom.

 

[FURMAN]

Gunwerks GRB $850 (Brownells regularly has them for $765 + free shipping)
Proof Research $730 (Stockys regularly has them for $657)
Timney 510 or TT Primary ~$125 (or less)
Smith to chamber & thread muzzle ~$450 (local smith, LRI, TSC, other)
Total is just at $2k, and you can pick caliber, twist, barrel length, etc. Maybe you can sell the ridgeline stock to make the difference a little larger, but I'm guessing there's not a lot of demand on the secondary market. Obviously my own opinion, but the extra $100 would be well worth it.

Add bottom metal and a stock and you are pushing $3k. The ridgline is a lot of gun for the money. I hate the stocks. Sell the stock buy what you want and you are into a greeting shooting rifle for around 2k all up. It may not be for everyone but The statement I just made is a fact.

 

[deerkiller]

Of the ones I have handled and been around, the stocks are quite flimsy in the fore end. I also do not like the very small and very swept back pistol grip of the ridgelines. If I were to own one it would go directly into an aftermarket stock.

some call that pistol grip "Dakota style"
I've not owned a CA big game rifle but have extensive experience with their varmint rifles - IMO, the carbon wrapped barrels last no longer than any classic style barrel I've had (a bunch) and the wrapping denies the ability to set back the chamber/throat to get a few thousand more rounds once the throat erodes

 

[FURMAN]

Gunwerks GRB $850 (Brownells regularly has them for $765 + free shipping)
Proof Research $730 (Stockys regularly has them for $657)
Timney 510 or TT Primary ~$125 (or less)
Smith to chamber & thread muzzle ~$450 (local smith, LRI, TSC, other)
bottom metal and mag box $200
Stock $600
=$2797 using your sale numbers which I rarely see proofs that low so regularly is a stretch.

CA Ridgeline typically ~$1850
-$200 selling the stock
+600 stock of your choice
= $2250

I see no reason for 75% of people to even bother especially if they will be shooting a SAAMI chamber anyway. In the grand scheme of things the only real difference is the GRB action you suggested. No the CA is not the best timed action out there but it is on par with some customs. I have had proofs and CA barrels both shoot well under .5moa. The CA comes with a TT trigger(which I do not like but you suggested). The CA has nice bottom metal. Again I see not point for most people. I myself prefer a custom mainly so I can have the throat I want but again most will never know the difference. To each his own.

 

[deerkiller]

The OP was asking about replacing the stock on the Ridgeline. So if you have to buy a replacement stock, then you ostensibly just bought a Christensen barreled action. I said you could do better on a barreled action then the cost of a Ridgeline. When asked how one might do better, I itemized what I think is better. It has no bearing on whether or not I think Christensen is good or bad or has value or not.

that does make good sense as I read it ….

 

[JeffRaines]

Ha! Glad to see all of our calculators are firing on all cylinders today with our make believe numbers. The biggest benefit to me is the ability to pick your barrel length & twist, not picking an action...hard to cut a carbon barrel down...or pull it longer. Not to mention, you will have someone like Chad or Travis chamber your rig - no worrying about a dud pumped out on a Friday .

I completely agree to each their own. But there is no doubt in my mind that if I'm looking at the $2k price point or higher, I'm going to pick a stock that fits me, a trigger I like, a barrel contour, length, twist etc.

Theres nothing wrong with spending your money how you want - I just don't think its an apples to apples comparison. If you're financially capable of dropping 3+ on a rifle, then yeah, I would just go full custom. However, I think the average guy who pays $1500-$2000 for a rifle is pretty much at the top of their budget. Its kinda like an "almost custom" rifle.

Most of the rifles in that price range hold their value pretty well too, so if joe schmoe decides he wants to try something different he isn't going to lose his ass on the used market. I've seen customs go both ways too often.

 

[deerkiller]

Theres nothing wrong with spending your money how you want - I just don't think its an apples to apples comparison. If you're financially capable of dropping 3+ on a rifle, then yeah, I would just go full custom. However, I think the average guy who pays $1500-$2000 for a rifle is pretty much at the top of their budget. Its kinda like an "almost custom" rifle.

Most of the rifles in that price range hold their value pretty well too, so if joe schmoe decides he wants to try something different he isn't going to lose his ass on the used market. I've seen customs go both ways too often.

although there IS a difference, a big difference, on "top of one's budget" and "top of one's cost tolerance" the end result is still pretty much the same - THEN there's the person who just enjoys "the chase", seeing what can be made or had from a more budget oriented firearm - I've not been in ALOT of custom shops but of the ones I HAVE been in there was always a "cull" barrel or box in the corner …. NOTHING's a guarantee

 

[shooter56]

I have a Christensen Arms Mesa and definitely see a change of POI and group size when using sand bags vs. a bipod. I get better groups using a bipod. Otherwise, a very nice rifle.

 

[shooter56]

No, I am not giving the bipod a "preload". I believe the bipod allows for "free recoil" of the rifle. The front sand bag I was using was an Uncle Buds Bull Bag and I think it had too much friction on the rifle to allow is to recoil freely.

 

[FURMAN]

Free recoil does not work with magnums from field positions. I doubt you are actually "free recoiling". Free recoil is no shoulder pressure and only input to the rifle is the trigger. I have found through shooting several different rifles with different bipods that some shoot better with differing methods of loading the bipod but most prefer the bipod loaded with minimal shoulder pressure. In my experience Harris bipods do not have enough slop to really load in this manner.

 

[Almosthere]

Good friend of mine has a 300 ultra mag and it shoots very well. Heavy but to be expected given the equipment.

 

[nortac]

I just purchased a Christensen Arms Carbon Classic in 280AI. The monte carlo stock seems solid to me. Doesn't feel spongy or has any discernible movement in it. Granted I have not shot the rifle yet but the stock feels as good as any other stock I have including my more expensive Manners. I was actually thinking about buying a Christensen Mesa in 6.5. I am now wondering if that stock is different than the Monte Carlo stock...??

 

[River rat23]

I have been shooting a ridgeline in 7mm RM for just over a year now. Worked up a couple of loads for it that both shoot under 1/2". I dont see the stock as being particularly weak or spongy in my rifle. Shot multiple range days and had this gun stack rounds. I havent noticed a problem personally . But then again, I dont come from a high end rifle background. This is almost the most expensive one I own. I love the trigger also, so I may be an odd man out

 

[archp625]

Free recoil does not work with magnums from field positions. I doubt you are actually "free recoiling". Free recoil is no shoulder pressure and only input to the rifle is the trigger. I have found through shooting several different rifles with different bipods that some shoot better with differing methods of loading the bipod but most prefer the bipod loaded with minimal shoulder pressure. In my experience Harris bipods do not have enough slop to really load in this manner.

I'm in the market for a new bipod. What would you recommend? I will be using this on a .270 and a 300 WM.

Thanks,
Drew

 

[FURMAN]

I prefer a little slop in my bipods. The older Atlas bipods seem to have more than the new ones. Many prefer the modular evolution. I have Harris modular evolution and atlas. I prefer my atlas.


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