Christensen Rifles what are your guy's thoughts?

[Joe.G]

I was thinking about getting the Rifle in the link in a 25 CM Just wondering what your thoughts are on this rifle model or at least on the company.

Thanks

Evoke

Ergonomic, go-anywhere rifle offering premium features and guaranteed sub-MOA accuracy for all hunts.

christensenarms.com

 

[Marbles]

Several threads on this with my thoughts. Good luck, as you will need it from my experience with 1 Christiansen.

 

[khuber84]

Hit and miss, I have a Ridgeline in 6.5x284 that's a hammer, had a 30nos and 65cm that were piss poor out the box, CA re-barreled and then I sold those 2. Still have the 65x284, but don't shoot much since everything is now short barrel with a can.


Edit* had a MESA LR in 65prc that shot well, but it was a tank, so sold that too.

 

[Joe.G]

I Did a google search and I have gotten mixed reviews on them, Not many rifles come chambered in this round.

 

[missjordan]

I have a BA Tactical that I’ve owned for 9 years now and I’ve been very pleased with the rifle. I’d buy another CA.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[khuber84]

Buy a Mac bros element, have a barrel spun, drop it into a rokstok with a hawkins hunter dbm. Yes it'll be 2x the price, but you'll have 2x the rifle and be a pound lighter.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Have 2 CA’s both are shooters, one a 6.5cm ridgeline is a pleasure to carry and shoot, was great with the first ammo I tried, another is a CA MPP in .308 I swapped the 12” barrel for a 16” so I could put a stock on it (CA barrel) it was a picky SOB! Finally found some ammo it likes and it’s a fun little rifle, but at the 2k price point I’m not sure I’d take the plunge again. My easiest rifles have been tikkas, I own 4 they all shoot really well and were far less picky on ammo

 

[hiker270]

Have a Ridgeline FFT in 7PRC. It shot the Federal 175 Eld-x really well but with reloads it is a real tackdriver. No issues whatsoever. Learned a long time ago that people are more prone to write about a bad experience with a product than a positive one.

 

[Azhunter10]

I have a Ridgeline in 300wm that shoots the Berger 215s into 1 hole. And I have an MPR in 6.5 Creedmoor that is an absolute shooter.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Have had 5 Ridgelines and one Mesa. The 7 mags were all lights out accurate, 1/4-1/2 MOA, though they preferred different bullets. The 7mm-08s Ive had are not as accurate, but still sub-MOA. I handload, so none of these are factory round results.

Ive had to replace the action screws due to stripping out, re-install and epoxy sling swivel studs, and even resecure recoil pads. Small things, but things nonetheless.

My current 7-08 Ridgeline is not loading the last (4th round) in the magazine. The follower seems to not be pitched high enough to ramp it in properly. I did call Christensen and they gave me one or two things to try which did not work. I think my next move will be to get a M5 bottom metal with removable magazine. I do like the rifle and the velocity Im able to get with it. Leaving in the morning for a goat hunt, and hoping that 4th round doesn't bite me in the a$$. Way I see it is I got 3 shots before I have to drop the bottom metal and manually chunk one in.

All that said, if I was buying a rifle today, I would buy a Seekins or a Weatherby 307 ST/CT before buying another Christensen.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I’ve had 4, one was a shooter from factory (Mesa 300 win), one had to be sent back for rebarrel, was a shooter after that (6.5prc ridgeline), 2 never shot well (6.5 Mesa FFT and 300 win ridgeline).
It’s just not worth the gamble, too many other good options now in or below the same price range.

 

[deerhunter628]

I have four and they all shoot great.

 

[TaperPin]

I was thinking about getting the Rifle in the link in a 25 CM Just wondering what your thoughts are on this rifle model or at least on the company.

Thanks

Evoke

Ergonomic, go-anywhere rifle offering premium features and guaranteed sub-MOA accuracy for all hunts.

christensenarms.com

I like the company philosophy of producing a basic copy of the Remington 700 action with better machining and a more accurate barrel than Remington ever used with a lot of value at its price point.

The Evoke is different from the Mesa primarily in the plastic stock and it’s only available with one receiver length no matter the chambering. The action length wouldn’t bother me and other rifles like the Tikka do the same, but the plastic stock is heavier than a fiberglass composite like the Mesa uses and less rigid. Isn’t the Evoke using a single ejection plunger and AR style extractor whereas the Mesa has dual plungers and a Sako style ejector? One is all you need and the AR style extractor is considered as reliable as the Sako.

Christensen chambers are purposely cut to be on the smaller side to help accuracy, but it’s not a good choice for those who don’t believe in cleaning barrels and you’ll see a number of complaints revolve around carbon rings creating pressure issues. Many of us view minimum chambers to be an advantage. To be fair I don’t have a Mesa, but I have a number of Mesa barrels that get screwed onto a Remington receiver because they shoot great. Bore scoping Christensen chambers and barrels will show excellent machining and bore finish.

The other problems that get complained about seem rather simple and quick to fix, but at the price point with nice to have big features I expect small things to not get as much attention or the rifles would be twice the cost. A sticky ejection plunger from burrs takes 5 minutes to smooth out. I don’t pay any attention to comments about the factory trigger or safety since a custom replacement trigger is the first thing that should get added any new rifle.

If you like Remington style receivers and cleaning your barrel this isn’t a bad choice. If you don’t like cleaning barrels or Remington clones a Tikka might be a better choice.

 

[Long84]

The Evoke that I have shot was on par with a $500-$600 Savage. Out of the box the trigger was gritty and inconsistent. It got better the more we shot, or dry fired, it. Once the trigger settled down the rifle would shoot roughly 1"

 

[kblewis4]

The CA Evoke is what I call a value rifle with some good features, is priced well, and can be a solid shooter. There are some solid reviews out there. Like the 25 CM round a lot! I think it may be the best of the 3. Good luck with your decision!

 

[jtg88]

I had a ridgeline 300 win mag that shot the Berger 215s extremely well but it was the most temperature sensitive rifle I've ever owned. After 2 shots you better let it cool completely or the 3rd round was going to be 2-3" from the others. Its the only carbon barreled rifle I've every owned, so maybe they're more temp sensitive. Other than that, action worked and fed well, no complaints.

 

[Luked]

Buddy of mine has 3 Ridgelines, all in 6.5 PRC. He has 2 right hand models and one left that he has to shoot now due to some medical issues.
I have shot both the Right hand models and they shoot great. He hasnt had a lick of issues from any of the 3.

 

[2Stamp]

I had a Mesa in 7-08, really nice shooting rifle, grouped really well. I have a Ridgeline FFT in 280ai. I love it except for the stock, so it now wears a Peak44 Bastion.