Christensen Arms Mesa first blush evaluation

[TheJason]

Time to stretch its legs. 100 yards, 80 degrees with slight breeze.

 

[TheJason]

I did some playing today to evaluate a couple of things.

1) number of fouling shots on a clean bore
2) how different shooting positions affect POI

On a clean bore, this rifle needs 2-3 rounds to settle. I’ve had a couple that didn’t need any. Some needed 5-6.



The circled rounds were shots I could feel an obvious difference in how I shouldered the rifle. I got lazy on these two, and knew right away.

It appears either a free hold (off hand under the butt) or holding the off hand over the scope are the two most consistent ways to shoot this rifle.

Next step is to load a few more and check if cheek pressure affects POI at all. Then zero. Then kill elk.

 

[jlong17]

Sportsman’s has a sale running on these rifles right now… I have a 300 WM sitting in my cart just staring at me.

 

[BackofBeyond]

Sportsman’s has a sale running on these rifles right now… I have a 300 WM sitting in my cart just staring at me.

Do it. You won’t regret it.

 

[jlong17]

Do it. You won’t regret it.

Come on man. You’re supposed to say “save your money” haha. I can’t decide if I want to save for the Ridgeline or pick up the Mesa.

 

[BackofBeyond]

Come on man. You’re supposed to say “save your money” haha. I can’t decide if I want to save for the Ridgeline or pick up the Mesa.

You can always post the Mesa for sale once you save up the difference between the two.

No problems, only solutions!

 

[nrpate05]

Sportsman’s has a sale running on these rifles right now… I have a 300 WM sitting in my cart just staring at me

Haha I pulled the trigger on a 7mm08 as soon as I saw that sale. Hopefully pick up by the end of the week. You must never hesitate!

 

[TheJason]

Haha I pulled the trigger on a 7mm08 as soon as I saw that sale. Hopefully pick up by the end of the week. You must never hesitate!

Can’t shoot it when it’s still in the cart.

#fullsendy

 

[TheJason]

Today I shot prone off a front bag to see what changes in form did to POI.

Disclaimer. Sandbag was a little low, which was actually an interesting variable. I struggled to really get the gun shouldered like I wanted.

The rounds in the purple circle were the ones where I really got a good consistent shoulder mount and good firm pressure to the rear. This is also the same POI as shooting from the bench.

The shots to the left were induced with thumb pressure on the side of the pistol grip.

The high shots were a result of weak pressure to the rear and/or a shoulder mount that wasn’t really “on”.

The two hammers were last just to check POI relative to the Sierra BT loads.

Time to clean good, check zero with hammers, and check drops. I haven’t checked on any shift in POI when alternating hammers and Sierras.

 

[TheJason]

Finally got to really stretch the legs on this rifle today.

68 degrees
Breezy - estimated 12-15 mph, probably more like 10-12 based on drift

CCI 250
71 grains RL16
Peterson brass (5th loading)
166 grain Hammer Hunter

All shots prone off front and rear bag.

I started with a clean bore. At distance it was interesting to watch it settle in. First group of four at 350 was about 6”. Second group was about 4” with the last three fairly tight.

This was 450. I dialed 4.25 MOA (Hornady app told me 3.99 but I didn’t have my readers on when I dialed).



I’m not doing cartwheels, but I’m happy with this. 450-500 is as far as I’m interested in shooting under the best of conditions. This is a solid MOA rifle/load combo.

The Leupy dials like it should. This should be sufficient for now until my OCD compels me to try H4831 or a light crimp.

 

[MThuntr]

what kind of numbers is that load producing? Why not a light crimp?

My 300 loves the 180s with a stout bit of RL26 and a light crimp...I need to back it off as it starts to express pressure in the heat.

 

[TheJason]

what kind of numbers is that load producing? Why not a light crimp?

My 300 loves the 180s with a stout bit of RL26 and a light crimp...I need to back it off as it starts to express pressure in the heat.

3325 fps.

I’ll try that first. I intended to this year but never got around to borrowing a Lee FCD. I expect I’ll be pretty happy with this load when I do that.

 

[Farmerj]

What’s the LOP on the mesa?

 

[TheJason]

What’s the LOP on the mesa?

Interweb tells me 13.6”.

 

[Farmerj]

Interweb tells me 13.6”.

The one thing I want to change on this Alaskan. Add about 1 3/4”.

 

[TheJason]

The one thing I want to change on this Alaskan. Add about 1 3/4”.

This is a comfortable rifle for me to shoot. A dozen rounds with the brake on today, easy peasy. Time to pull the brake and double check zero.

 

[Farmerj]

I’ve got monkey arms and a giraffe neck so have a 14 3/4” LOP. Just something I’ve learned over the years to make it more comfortable for shooting.

So I look for rifles with easy ability to add spacers.

 

[noharleyyet]

Finally got to really stretch the legs on this rifle today.

68 degrees
Breezy - estimated 12-15 mph, probably more like 10-12 based on drift

CCI 250
71 grains RL16
Peterson brass (5th loading)
166 grain Hammer Hunter

All shots prone off front and rear bag.

I started with a clean bore. At distance it was interesting to watch it settle in. First group of four at 350 was about 6”. Second group was about 4” with the last three fairly tight.

This was 450. I dialed 4.25 MOA (Hornady app told me 3.99 but I didn’t have my readers on when I dialed).

View attachment 241712View attachment 241713

I’m not doing cartwheels, but I’m happy with this. 450-500 is as far as I’m interested in shooting under the best of conditions. This is a solid MOA rifle/load combo.

The Leupy dials like it should. This should be sufficient for now until my OCD compels me to try H4831 or a light crimp.

Almost minute of bocce ball at 450 will get it done...interested to see the unbraked results.

 

[BackofBeyond]

I do wish my Ridgeline had a side baffle brake instead of the radial brake. It works fine, just get tired of the dust/grit in my mouth shooting prone.

Also not tired enough to part with the ~$250 to replace it.

 

[TheJason]

Curious to see if accuracy improves with new bedding. There were two pressure points on the action.