Christenson Mesa... heavy-hard bold lift after firing round

[Matt79]

Guys,

I bought a Mesa about a month ago and took few boxes to range to start breaking it in and see what it likes. Federal loading of the 180 accubonds didn’t shoot well, but cycled normal after the shot, with there nickel plated casings. I then shot some fed 180 blue box and 180 Barnes Ttsx, which the later grouped great. The prob is both the fed blue box and the Barnes both have heavy-hard bolt lift after the round was shot. If I load them in, and rack them back out unfired, they cycle fine. It’s after they are shot, the bolt is hard to lift, and in few cases I had to really monkey with it to get it to open.
I did send christenson an email yesterday to see there thoughts, has anyone experienced similar issues or know what may be going on here?
I’m more than happy with the Barnes groupings but honestly little disappointed in what’s going on, even though I know there can be issues with anything. Any feedback will be great.

-Matt

 

[Dcrafton]

Sounds like the head space may be off a little.
If you do any reloading you may be able to work around that.
But with factory rounds that should not happen.
Probably should think about sending it back.
I would try a different ammo
manufacturer first.


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[WCB]

check the casings for any scratches or marks that may indicate rough chamber or a defect.
Did you clean the chamber before fireing? could be oil residue or manufacturing residue that you...that stuff doesn't compress and can act like a tight chamber. The casing will have slight dimples in it once extracted.

If neither of those seem to be the case I would shoot another brand of ammo and see if it changes...don't really worry about accuracy just check it for function.

As mentioned above may not be a huge deal if you reload but gun should run factory ammo.

 

[Puldo Bruce]

I am having a very similar problem with my Ridgeline .300 PRC. Last trip to the range, i was shooting 225 gr ELD-M, and after firing the 5th round I couldn't pull the bolt back. I had to use a cleaning rod and free the casing through the barrel. Strange thing, I followed it up with 5 rounds of 212 gr ELD-X and had no issues.

I brought it over to a buddy to take measurements on. There were some really bad signs of overpressure, and some heavy markings from the ejectors on tbe brass, but he wasn't sure if it was the ammo or the chamber causing the issues. I sent an email to Christensen this morning, so hopefully I hear back soon and give an update.

 

[Jsn_leonard]

Similar issues with my 300 win Mesa Ti. It shoots 1/2 moa with the Barnes 190 LRX tho so I think I can live with the sticky bolt

 

[Matt79]

Mine will also shoot Barnes ttsx into 3 shot groups almost touching, but that doesn’t make it ok to need a hammer to bust open the bolt on a $1200 gun lol.

 

[SDHNTR]

Absolutely do not tolerate a sticky bolt with factory ammo. You are one hot day away from trouble.

 

[Goatie]

I’d check for pressure signs on brass as the longer rounds might get you closer to lands causing pressure spikes.

 

[Puldo Bruce]

Here's the fired brass that's in the worst shape. I've had primers fall out of twice in similar condition.

 

[Axlrod]

Try and slide a fired case onto the bullet of a new round.Your chamber may have a tight neck. I have a ridgeline in 28 Nosler that I have to turn the necks on Nos. brass before I load them. Bertram brass works fine. I would send it back, but it has been back once because the scope mount holes aren't true to the bore. They had it several months and when I got it back it was NO better. I ended up buying some US optics windage adjustable rings for $215 so I could hunt with it- it does shoot very well. While I was having trouble with mine I found a thread from another guy with a serious bolt lift issue and they replaced his barrel, because the bore was too small.

 

[JakeSCH]

Try to lube up the springs for the ejector pins...or get a punch and push the ejector springs in / out a few times. I bet its a combo of the ejector springs and excessive headpsace.

I did that on my Mesa 6.5 PRC and it helped on virgin brass...as a FYI my 300 WM Mesa Ti headspace is 22 thou larger than hornady brass in factory GMX ammo i've shot.

 

[4ester]

Had a buddy just go through an extreme pressure scenario with a brand new Mesa Ti in 6.5 PRC with factory ammo. Sounds like CA has some problems.

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[PathFinder]

Here's the fired brass that's in the worst shape. I've had primers fall out of twice in similar condition.

Those are some pretty serious pressure signs. You're not far away from being like the previous picture. Probably a headspace/chamber issue. I'd be sending it back.

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[Goatie]

With so many ppl having issues like this id say CA is having Chamber tolerance issues. Don’t take it to a smith as it will void warranties. I had an issue with one of their carbon AR barrels a while back and someone I got on the phone over there said to take it to a gunsmith. I held off and later I read on their website that it voids all warranties to have a smith do any work on it.

After a few weeks of emails they begrudgingly refunded me after I sent the barrel back.

 

[SDHNTR]

You have multiple pressure signs there! I’d not shoot that thing it it were me. Send it back, there’s no other choice here.

 

[Puldo Bruce]

Sorry for jacking your thread @Matt79

Thanks for the help guys. Unfortunately, I have a moose hunt in AK 3 weeks out that I specifically boughtthis gun for. Looks like I'll be taking the good ole Tikka .30-06. I hear good things about CA customer service, so I can follow up when they get back to me.

 

[Jsn_leonard]

Mines not even close to being that bad. It just feels like the bolt is sticky from being brand new. The fire brass look fine after I shoot.

 

[brettdunn7]

Man I’m so glad I didn’t buy a Christenson. I really considered one.


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[gbflyer]

Reads like it’s a .30 cal issue? Wonder if they are using .30 tights with a fast twist? This can cause pressure. Yes, it’s a thing.

 

[Horses Ghost]

Had the exact issues with my Traverse in 28 Nosler, sent it back and they replaced the barrel and polished the chamber. Since getting it back i have only run about 20 rounds through it and it seems to be ok