Christensen Arms, what's the verdict?

[bobwhite]

It works fine with the Remington ammo haven't tried anything else except the Nosler.. maybe it just don't like them..but for the cost of the gun it should should anything..I'll see what CA says..

 

[BRI]

Picked up a Mesa fft 300 prc in August. It's light and shoots really well. Hand loading 190 grain Hornady CX at 3015 fps. Not really a complaint, but the bolt isn't really that smooth. While it isn't hard to close, it definitely feels snug even without chambering a round. Also notice with shells in the magazine, cycling rounds scratches the brass slightly. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the rifle and would buy another if I was looking.

 

[MaddH]

My CA had issues at first with Nosler ammo sticking. Switched to Weatherby select and all is good. Only stuck about 3 times, never while hunting

 

[Rugern01]

Bought a Ridgleline in 7mm RM in 2022 and a Mesa in 308 in 2023. Understanding I would need a day for 'break in', I just got the chance to shoot them both in. I was hoping that some of the negativity I read would not be my experience, and was happily rewarded. According to CA, you need to break-in the rifle for the MOA guarantee, which consists of shooting 50+ rounds and cleaning (according to their instructions) every 5-6 shots. It was a little time consuming, but definitely got my acquainted with the guns. Both guns shot very well without issue and shot under the MOA guarantee off bags. My Ruger M77 MkII in 308 loves 150g Hornady Superformance SST, the CA 308 Mesa did not. Was ok with the 165 SST's, but loved Norma 150g Whitetail. The 7mm RM, also shot the Norma 150g Whitetail well, along with 165g Bond Strikes, and Winchester 150g Deer Season. (So it shot everything I had my shooting bag well). Both operated seamlessly and I enjoyed shooting both. The brakes noticeably tamed recoil as compared to shooting with the thread protector.

If you do buy a CA, make sure you read, understand, and perform the break in/cleaning procedure and complete it. You will need a few boxes (3-4) of shells and it would be smart to get a few different boxes to see what the gun likes. Good luck!

 

[mdhunter]

Two things I have learned on this thread. Plenty of info is coming from a “buddy”. That, and everyone is a sub MOA shooter with the right equipment.

 

[Chingon]

Bought a Ridgleline in 7mm RM in 2022 and a Mesa in 308 in 2023. Understanding I would need a day for 'break in', I just got the chance to shoot them both in. I was hoping that some of the negativity I read would not be my experience, and was happily rewarded. According to CA, you need to break-in the rifle for the MOA guarantee, which consists of shooting 50+ rounds and cleaning (according to their instructions) every 5-6 shots. It was a little time consuming, but definitely got my acquainted with the guns. Both guns shot very well without issue and shot under the MOA guarantee off bags. My Ruger M77 MkII in 308 loves 150g Hornady Superformance SST, the CA 308 Mesa did not. Was ok with the 165 SST's, but loved Norma 150g Whitetail. The 7mm RM, also shot the Norma 150g Whitetail well, along with 165g Bond Strikes, and Winchester 150g Deer Season. (So it shot everything I had my shooting bag well). Both operated seamlessly and I enjoyed shooting both. The brakes noticeably tamed recoil as compared to shooting with the thread protector.

If you do buy a CA, make sure you read, understand, and perform the break in/cleaning procedure and complete it. You will need a few boxes (3-4) of shells and it would be smart to get a few different boxes to see what the gun likes. Good luck!

"Proper" rifle break-in is largely a myth and will not impact the accuracy of a rifle. My guess is that most CA rifles shoot fine, but a LARGE percentage of them of lemons (with respect to other manufacturers).

 

[Stcknstringer22]

Mine seems to be breaking in still. 80 shots and still speeding up. Feeding is getting better and accuracy seems decent.

 

[schmalts]

Two things I have learned on this thread. Plenty of info is coming from a “buddy”. That, and everyone is a sub MOA shooter with the right equipment.

Is getting information first hand from a buddy better of worse than a forum?

 

[mdhunter]

Is getting information first hand from a buddy better of worse than a forum?

IDK, your buddies opinion posted on a forum is not as good as “your own opinion”…in my opinion.

 

[schmalts]

IDK, your buddies opinion posted on a forum is not as good as “your own opinion”…in my opinion.

What if your buddy's opinion was formed from looking at forums of other people's opinions?

 

[mdhunter]

Touché

 

[3855WIN]

Camp neighbor has one (not sure of model) in 7 mag and it’s a shooter.

 

[ImBillT]

A friend bought a Christenson Ridgeline in 6.5PRC, and it shoots like a custom rifle with two different brands of factory ammo. That’s the extent of my experience with Christenson.

 

[Stcknstringer22]

I will agree Christensen can have it's problems and we all have heard from others experience. This Ridgeline is slowly feeding better and I'm liking it more and more.

 

[JPelkhound]

MD Hunter said it best! Everyone here is a sub-moa shooter…I’m embarrassed just reviewing this thread cause I’m not worthy!

 

[Mtspin]

Contemplating a CA Mesa FFT. I remember reading a lot about QC issues for CA rifles, mainly after they started becoming more popular and ramping up production, and mainly regarding their CF wrapped barrels. I think that hiccups are expected with any manufacturer as demand for their product increases and they have to start banging them out at a rate and volume much higher than they are used to until they settle down into thier new "groove."

Anyway, anyone buy one recently? Are you pleased with its performance?

Well in early December I purchased a CA ridgeline titanium 7 prc. I have never purchased a gun as inaccurate as this. I tried several different boxes of factory ammo and tested and remounted the night force scope. The bolt would not close on some of the factory ammo. Contacted CA and sent the gun in. That was over 5 weeks ago! Just got off the phone with CA and they stated that the gun had not been looked at yet!? The most expensive and worst performing hunting rifle I have ever purchased. There are a lot of guns in the price range. I would just say buyer beware.

 

[bobwhite]

Contemplating a CA Mesa FFT. I remember reading a lot about QC issues for CA rifles, mainly after they started becoming more popular and ramping up production, and mainly regarding their CF wrapped barrels. I think that hiccups are expected with any manufacturer as demand for their product increases and they have to start banging them out at a rate and volume much higher than they are used to until they settle down into thier new "groove."

Anyway, anyone buy one recently? Are you pleased with its performance?

I bought a new CA ridgeline FFT..it would not chamber some factory loads, bolt wouldn’t close, if it did close on some of fired you couldn’t hardly open it, as far as accuracy now the gun does shoot fantastic!! Less than 0.5 moa with all ammo. I sent it back to the factory for the chambering issues they kept it about 6 weeks and I had it back.. now the same rounds cycle fine..I have not shot it since I’ve had it back bc I have to remount the scope..but for the money the gun should have no issues!! Never had a problem with a Remington 700..just saying

 

[bobwhite]

I bought a new CA ridgeline FFT..it would not chamber some factory loads, bolt wouldn’t close, if it did close on some of fired you couldn’t hardly open it, as far as accuracy now the gun does shoot fantastic!! Less than 0.5 moa with all ammo. I sent it back to the factory for the chambering issues they kept it about 6 weeks and I had it back.. now the same rounds cycle fine..I have not shot it since I’ve had it back bc I have to remount the scope..but for the money the gun should have no issues!! Never had a problem with a Remington 700..just saying

 

[Mtspin]

I bought a new CA ridgeline FFT..it would not chamber some factory loads, bolt wouldn’t close, if it did close on some of fired you couldn’t hardly open it, as far as accuracy now the gun does shoot fantastic!! Less than 0.5 moa with all ammo. I sent it back to the factory for the chambering issues they kept it about 6 weeks and I had it back.. now the same rounds cycle fine..I have not shot it since I’ve had it back bc I have to remount the scope..but for the money the gun should have no issues!! Never had a problem with a Remington 700..just saying

I just posted a similar story. They still have mine over 5 weeks. I have a couple of friends that have similar guns that shoot fine but they even warned me. For the money there are much better choices in hindsight! I have several Browning x-bolts as example. All tack drivers out of the box and much cheaper.

 

[bobwhite]

I just posted a similar story. They still have mine over 5 weeks. I have a couple of friends that have similar guns that shoot fine but they even warned me. For the money there are much better choices in hindsight! I have several Browning x-bolts as example. All tack drivers out of the box and much cheaper.

Absolutely agree..it doesn’t put perform any of my 700s..I had my sendero reworked by my gunsmith with a Hart barrel, brake, action blue printed with 100% contact and rebedded..cost me 1600 bucks it’s chambered in 300 weatherby and shots one hole 5 shot group !! Even factory it performed excellent