Issue with Christensen arms

[Lou270]

Have a CA Mesa 300 and it is very accurate. As others have stated try different ammo. I have not tried eldx factory loads but have not had luck gettimg them shoot in several rifles/cals so it may just be the bullet. Others report great accuracy so you never know

Lou

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

so you never know

That should be the slogan for a Christensen arms bolt action rifle.

 

[Clayman77]

In my experience it’s finding the right ammo. It costs a lot . Need a lot of choices . This has always worked for me .

 

[Slugz]

IMHO off the shelf ammo has a very liberal COAL that is trying to be the best it can be in every rifle it goes in. SAAMI Specs +

I think it's just as much as a crap shoot as the rifle these days unfortunately.

 

[Kimber7man]

Their ammo recommendations seem to be spot on. I’ve got a buddy who owns Ridgelines in 6.5-284 and 300WM
The recommended Nosler Trophy Grade ammo shoots into tiny little groups out of both rifles. Its expensive ammo though.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Yes, this is common. It seems about half of CA rifles have to be sent to the factory to be made right. Reach out to CA, and they will send you a shipping label. You will have to pay the FFL transfer fees, though. Given's CA's reputation for poor QC/QA, they should supply a reusable plastic shipping box with every new rifle they sell.

You don’t have to pay FFL transfer fees. If your FFL does try and charge you, CA will reimburse you for it.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I have a 280 AI ridgeline FFT. All of my groups were just over 1 moa with factory ammo. I could have done some
Load development, but I was like F that, it has an accuracy guarantee. I sent it back to CA and just got it back a few days ago. I did have to ship it through an FFL, but they covered the cost of shipping both ways and there were no FFL transfer fees. They ended up rebarreling the rifle and sent me 2 target pics, both at or close to 1/2 moa with Nosler Trophy ammo. Their customer service team was awesome and I love it the rifle.

 

[IdahoBeav]

You don’t have to pay FFL transfer fees. If your FFL does try and charge you, CA will reimburse you for it.

Interesting. Did you have to ask for this? I didn't ask, but CA, in no way, made me aware that they would pay for it.

 

[Axlrod]

Interesting. Did you have to ask for this? I didn't ask, but CA, in no way, made me are that they would pay for it.

They should email you a return label. Print it out, tape it to the outside of the gun box, and take it to whatever shipper's name is on the label (Fedex or Ups). You don't need an FFL. It is legal to ship your gun and for them to ship it back to you. Unless you have a state law that forbids it.

 

[IdahoBeav]

They should email you a return label. Print it out, tape it to the outside of the gun box, and take it to whatever shipper's name is on the label (Fedex or Ups). You don't need an FFL. It is legal to ship your gun and for them to ship it back to you. Unless you have a state law that forbids it.

For me back in January, they (CA) did provide the shipping label. They instructed me to package, label, and drop it with an FFL for shipment. The FFL I use told me that was not necessary, so I dropped it at UPS and it was successfully delivered to CA. However, CA told me that they would not ship it back directly to me, that they only ship to an FFL. They also required that I include a copy of the FFL's license in the box with the rifle.

 

[Axlrod]

For me back in January, they (CA) did provide the shipping label. They instructed me to package, label, and drop it with an FFL for shipment. The FFL I use told me that was not necessary, so I dropped it at UPS and it was successfully delivered to CA. However, CA told me that they would not ship it back directly to me, that they only ship to an FFL. They also required that I include a copy of the FFL's license in the box with the rifle.

Wow, I didn't know they changed their procedure. It was like 3 years ago or so, that I shipped a Ridgeline back and forth twice to CA. No FFL involved.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Interesting. Did you have to ask for this? I didn't ask, but CA, in no way, made me are that they would pay for it.

I have an email from the customer service rep stating that. Its honestly easier to ship through an FFL than mess with USPS or UPS.

 

[WCB]

For me back in January, they (CA) did provide the shipping label. They instructed me to package, label, and drop it with an FFL for shipment. The FFL I use told me that was not necessary, so I dropped it at UPS and it was successfully delivered to CA. However, CA told me that they would not ship it back directly to me, that they only ship to an FFL. They also required that I include a copy of the FFL's license in the box with the rifle.

Did they pay for handling by the FFL? Usually the firearm should go back they exact way it came. From customer/owner to manufacturer...manufacturer back to customer/owner...or through FFL from owner to manufacturer etc. I've brought in tons of firearms for work and it is frowned upon to deviate from that.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Did they pay for handling by the FFL? Usually the firearm should go back they exact way it came. From customer/owner to manufacturer...manufacturer back to customer/owner...or through FFL from owner to manufacturer etc. I've brought in tons of firearms for work and it is frowned upon to deviate from that.

They did not reimburse me for the FFL transfer. They only provided a shipping label, and they recommended that I drop the rifle at the FFL for UPS pickup. My FFL said that this would be no different than dropping the package, w/label affixed, at a UPS store.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

They did not reimburse me for the FFL transfer. They only provided a shipping label, and they recommended that I drop the rifle at the FFL for UPS pickup. My FFL said that this would be no different than dropping the package, w/label affixed, at a UPS store.

If you own the gun and the same gun comes back from CA, there should be no transfer fee. The gun is already yours, they don’t need to transfer it back to you. Your FFL is crooked as hell if he charged you a transfer fee.

 

[IdahoBeav]

If you own the gun and the same gun comes back from CA, there should be no transfer fee. The gun is already yours, they don’t need to transfer it back to you. Your FFL is crooked as hell if he charged you a transfer fee.

Then why won't CA ship directly to my house? They would only be returning what I sent them and is already mine, right? Is CA crooked as hell?

The FFL has no way of knowing that I am legally able to own a firearm until he does the NICS, which was done after the return shipment from CA was delivered to the FFL. CA provided me with the label for the outgoing shipment. Maybe it would have been possible for CA to send the label to the FFL, and the FFL would package the rifle and verify the S/N on the outgoing and return shipments, but this still seems like he would be taking on some liability, and it would certainly involve his time, which isn't free.

 

[Seak_angler]

I rolled the dice and bought a Ridgeline in 7mm-08 this July for black bears and blacktails… I only shoot factory stuff, after trying 3-4 different loads I couldn’t get it to group tight, I was hanging at about 1 moa which is decent I was gonna be okay with it. SWFA 10x moa on top (6x and 3-9 out of stock) , Leupold BC rings. I did clean it and do the break in procedure. Then I tried an ammo I normally wouldn’t buy or use, Hornady custom lite 120 grain SST reduced recoil. And it shot lights out like half inch and under! I was concerned at first trying all sorts of ammo and reading all the nightmare reviews. I guess I just got lucky with mine. With that being said they are extremely ammo picky. I already have a pile of kimbers and tikkas just wanted to try something new

 

[bigbahksdude]

Just thought I'd add to this thread with my own experiences here - CA Mesa 7mm rem mag. The first 'nice' rifle I've owned.

I'm and east coaster and started hunting out west last year. I didn't have a rifle capable for western big game (I have a Savage Model 110 pre-accu trigger chambered in .243 - I love that rifle, absolute tack driver, and has taken down a ton of deer over the years, but couldn't cut the cake for this trip). Long story short, I was told by a buddy who lives in the area we hunted to save my money and borrow his rifle, but it fell through so I had to share a rifle and be second in line with my tag. My wife took pity on me and bought me a CA Mesa 7mm rem mag for Christmas last year, my FIL gifted me a Gen 2 Viper PST to go with it.

I also followed the CA break in process to a tee. but I have not been able to get the rifle to group sub MOA at 100 yards. I have put Remington Core-Lokts, Federal ELD-X, Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X, Hornady Super Performance SST, and some cheap Sellier and Bellot down the barrel. The only round it kind of consistently shoots a group with is the S&B, but even then it isn't sub-MOA and I will occasionally get some real fliers (over 3-inches outside of the group). At first I thought it was me, then I shot my .243, that grouped sub-MOA as per usual. I moved on to making sure the scope rings were secure. They are torqued to spec. Muzzle break is tight. I have ~130 rounds through the barrel. Group size varies widely, the best I've gotten the rifle to do is about 1.5MOA @ 100 yds. It sits about 2.67MOA @ 100 yards, but the entire spread is large - enough to make me hesitant to take it out next weekend for whitetail rifle opener.

Today my friend and I hit the ranged to test out his new suppressor for his Tikka 3x Lite .270. He shot sub-MOA groups at 100yds. Then I had him shoot my rifle, and again could not get a good group. He then went back to his rifle and shot sub-MOA groups. I shot on his rifle and again, sub-MOA groups.

The FFL the rifle was ordered through is also a seasoned gun smith (over 40 years). He is aware of the issue and suggested after checking scope mountings to call CA. Will update as this progresses, but just throught I'd add my experience in here for reference.

 

[realunlucky]

Just thought I'd add to this thread with my own experiences here - CA Mesa 7mm rem mag. The first 'nice' rifle I've owned.

I'm and east coaster and started hunting out west last year. I didn't have a rifle capable for western big game (I have a Savage Model 110 pre-accu trigger chambered in .243 - I love that rifle, absolute tack driver, and has taken down a ton of deer over the years, but couldn't cut the cake for this trip). Long story short, I was told by a buddy who lives in the area we hunted to save my money and borrow his rifle, but it fell through so I had to share a rifle and be second in line with my tag. My wife took pity on me and bought me a CA Mesa 7mm rem mag for Christmas last year, my FIL gifted me a Gen 2 Viper PST to go with it.

I also followed the CA break in process to a tee. but I have not been able to get the rifle to group sub MOA at 100 yards. I have put Remington Core-Lokts, Federal ELD-X, Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X, Hornady Super Performance SST, and some cheap Sellier and Bellot down the barrel. The only round it kind of consistently shoots a group with is the S&B, but even then it isn't sub-MOA and I will occasionally get some real fliers (over 3-inches outside of the group). At first I thought it was me, then I shot my .243, that grouped sub-MOA as per usual. I moved on to making sure the scope rings were secure. They are torqued to spec. Muzzle break is tight. I have ~130 rounds through the barrel. Group size varies widely, the best I've gotten the rifle to do is about 1.5MOA @ 100 yds. It sits about 2.67MOA @ 100 yards, but the entire spread is large - enough to make me hesitant to take it out next weekend for whitetail rifle opener.

Today my friend and I hit the ranged to test out his new suppressor for his Tikka 3x Lite .270. He shot sub-MOA groups at 100yds. Then I had him shoot my rifle, and again could not get a good group. He then went back to his rifle and shot sub-MOA groups. I shot on his rifle and again, sub-MOA groups.

The FFL the rifle was ordered through is also a seasoned gun smith (over 40 years). He is aware of the issue and suggested after checking scope mountings to call CA. Will update as this progresses, but just throught I'd add my experience in here for reference.

Did you check your scope? That's where I'd look after checking the torque on the action and scope rings. Be interested to see what CA finds


Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[bigbahksdude]

Did you check your scope? That's where I'd look after checking the torque on the action and scope rings. Be interested to see what CA finds


Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

I have not checked my scope yet. I will check the scope after rifle closes in mid-December - I only have two rifles, so I don't want to start swapping scopes all over right before rifle opens.

I'm taking the Mesa to my FFL/gun smith tomorrow for him to check everything out. If he doesn't find anything crazy, it will be on to CA. My guess is that CA will want to have me throw some different rounds down the barrel before I send it back, but maybe not. They'll probably want me to check the scope as well.