Christensen Rifles

[MT Hunter1983]

I have a CA MPR in 300 PRC. It’s awesome, shoots under a half minute consistently. Took 2 elk this season, both around 600 yards, and I’d feel confident shooting further if the conditions are right. There is a tiny bit of play where the stock folds, but not enough to bother me. I love that gun. So why is there so much hate towards CA? Gunsmiths I know all say they are trash. Even the local dealers who are trying to sell guns have bad things to say. Did I just get lucky? Are there that many horror stories? Or are the few bad experiences just the loudest. I’m considering buying another CA rifle, but all the negativity has me second guessing. Maybe I just got really lucky. Who hates them? And why?


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[hiker270]

My experience was not a positive one. Although it was 50-50. My buddy and I both bought 7mm Mag. Christensen Mesa's. His was an MOA rifle mine was not. Tried quite a few bullet/powder combo's and mine was a disappointment. Sold it and bought a 7 mag Tikka Roughtech and it shoots sub MOA. The Mesa was a great looking gun just didn't shoot to suit me.

 

[SummitsCalling]

I have a MPR in 300WM w/ a carbon barrel, shoots 1/2 moa or so with 180 berger hybrids. I know several other people with CAs, no issues all were bought new. Just one brand I own however.

Here's my take, loud crowds who said Kimber's were crap, but maybe the were not? People cannot shoot light rifles very well. Now it's CAs are crap, are they though? Who knows but I don't hear anything else about any other brands. As an example Howa's or the cheaper Weatherbys not made by them all must be amazing. Statistically several people have bought other brands that do not shoot well but no war drums are beaten. I'm really starting to think people cannot shoot very well or have an agenda like bow brand loyalist

 

[MT Hunter1983]

I have a MPR in 300WM w/ a carbon barrel, shoots 1/2 moa or so with 180 berger hybrids. I know several other people with CAs, no issues all were bought new. Just one brand I own however.

Here's my take, loud crowds who said Kimber's were crap, but maybe the were not? People cannot shoot light rifles very well. Now it's CAs are crap, are they though? Who knows but I don't hear anything else about any other brands. As an example Howa's or the cheaper Weatherbys not made by them all must be amazing. Statistically several people have bought other brands that do not shoot well but no war drums are beaten. I'm really starting to think people cannot shoot very well or have an agenda like bow brand loyalist

Yeah I agree a lot of people don’t put the time in and as a result are not accurate shooters. Can’t blame the gun for that. The other thing worth mentioning is ammo. I guess if I only shot factory ammo, I’d be pretty unhappy with my CA. It didn’t shoot factory ELDM or ELDX worth a damn. But hand loading was super easy, she loves 230g Bergers over N570.


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[MT Hunter1983]

The other weird thing for me…I had a Tikka 300 WM, and EVERYBODY loves Tikka. That gun never shot better than a minute even with hand loads. I guess it just goes to show you can probably get a dud from any gun maker. But there just seems to be more CA haters than just about any other brand. I don’t get it.


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[Tullis94]

I have a sample size of 1 Christensen and it was not a good one. A bore scope showed that it had a VERY rough bore. I shot several bullet and powder combos and it never shot well consistently. For 2k I was extremely disappointed. I think EVERY rifle manufacture has duds. Yes even tikkas that rokslide loves so much. Heck even custom rifle barrels can be duds. My issue is that, for 2k the Christensen problems should be few and far between.

 

[Tullis94]

One thing I left out of my first post. I can buy a stainless Tikka for under $900. Say the barrel is crap. I can get a prefit easily for $500 or even a carbon prefit for probably $900. You are still less than a CA Ridgline. That being said, if you want a cartridge that needs a long action, the Tikka is not the way to go. Just my .02.

 

[Titan_Bow]

The local Scheels used gun rack is always loaded with used CA rifles. I don’t really have an opinion on them as I’ve never owned one though.


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[rijoh]

In my experience I've had mostly pro's and only a few con's. I have 2 Ridgelines in 300 WSM and in 6.5 PRC. Both shoot very accurately.

Didn't like the factory CA stocks so sold them for $275 a piece and bought a McMillan and a MPA. As pictured both weigh 7 lbs 8 oz which makes packing them around much easier.

The 300 WSM had slightly sticky bolt lift with dry firing. Ended up swapping out the firing pin, spring, and shroud for a Gretan assembly. Now it cycles great and is 2 oz less.

The CA 6.5 PRC got faster speeds than a Tikka 6.5 PRC with the same load. I eventually turned the Tikka into a 7 SAUM with a Proof Barrel. Comparing the Proof to the CA barrel the CA weigh's a little less and the gun balances better. I do like that the CA magazine inside length is 3.050" so you can load longer bullets and still be a short action.

I'm very pleased with both guns now that I've worked the peculiarities out.

300 WSM




6.5 PRC

 

[missjordan]

Our family has a BA Tactical 338 Lapua and have owned it for 6 years with no issues. We really love the gun. Probably will need a new barrel soon and won’t think twice about having CA install it for us.


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[R_W]

I bought a christensen mesa in 300 win mag two years ago and it shoots sub moa with most factory ammo I have tried. Really likes hornady superformance sst. My friend also has a mesa in 6.5 creedmoor that shoots well. I am happy with the rifle and I would buy another christensen.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I have a Mesa fft in 6.5 prc and really like the rifle. Accuracy is great and it’s easy to carry. My brother in law has a Ridgeline in 28 nosler that shoots great too. Another buddy has a Mesa 7 rem mag and that one doesn’t seem to shoot quite as well. Another buddy just bought a Ridgeline in 7 prc, I’m excited to see how that one shoots.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Yeah I agree a lot of people don’t put the time in and as a result are not accurate shooters. Can’t blame the gun for that. The other thing worth mentioning is ammo. I guess if I only shot factory ammo, I’d be pretty unhappy with my CA. It didn’t shoot factory ELDM or ELDX worth a damn. But hand loading was super easy, she loves 230g Bergers over N570.


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Factor in also the fact that it’s the internet where people will be like “believe me, it’s not my shooting skill” etc, etc. no way to prove or disapprove anything so people complain and people on the internet eat it up.

 

[CCooper]

I have/ have had a total of 5 Ridgelines/ Traverses and have loaded for several others. All have been shooters.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I have several and they all shoot .25 - .5 moa with factory ammo. They got a bad wrap several years ago when they were outsourcing barrels. It is my understanding they brought their barrel manufacturing in house and QC improved significantly. My favorites right now are my BA Tactical in 6.5 PRC and my ridgeline fft 280AI.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

In my experience I've had mostly pro's and only a few con's. I have 2 Ridgelines in 300 WSM and in 6.5 PRC. Both shoot very accurately.

Didn't like the factory CA stocks so sold them for $275 a piece and bought a McMillan and a MPA. As pictured both weigh 7 lbs 8 oz which makes packing them around much easier.

The 300 WSM had slightly sticky bolt lift with dry firing. Ended up swapping out the firing pin, spring, and shroud for a Gretan assembly. Now it cycles great and is 2 oz less.

The CA 6.5 PRC got faster speeds than a Tikka 6.5 PRC with the same load. I eventually turned the Tikka into a 7 SAUM with a Proof Barrel. Comparing the Proof to the CA barrel the CA weigh's a little less and the gun balances better. I do like that the CA magazine inside length is 3.050" so you can load longer bullets and still be a short action.

I'm very pleased with both guns now that I've worked the peculiarities out.

300 WSM
View attachment 494391

View attachment 494392

6.5 PRC
View attachment 494393

CA would have fixed the firing pin for you. My FFT had a heavy bolt lift after dry firing. They paid to ship it back. Had it back to me in 10 days smooth as butter.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I have a sample size of 1 Christensen and it was not a good one. A bore scope showed that it had a VERY rough bore. I shot several bullet and powder combos and it never shot well consistently. For 2k I was extremely disappointed. I think EVERY rifle manufacture has duds. Yes even tikkas that rokslide loves so much. Heck even custom rifle barrels can be duds. My issue is that, for 2k the Christensen problems should be few and far between.

Did you send it back and did they take care of you?

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I’ve had two, my dad two. Two shot great, one average, and one had to be sent back. They still have it so cannot comment on CS, they did pay to have it shipped back. 2 ridgelines and 2 mesa.

 

[SwiftShot]

I have 2 and they both shoot reloads .5 MOA with most factory ammo still sub MOA.

 

[Flashlight Guy]

I have seen mesas that have rusted bottom metals straight from the factory. I’ve seen a couple ridgelines that wont shoot MOA. Ridgeline and mesas used to come with Limbsaver pads but now they have their own cheaper pad. Overall I think at one time Christensen were really good but they have gotten to big for their own good.

Customer service conversations are always brief and lacking helpful information. One conversation in particular when asking for guidance on a brand new 28 Nosler ridgeline that wouldn’t chamber a round was “we’ll do our best.”