Is Christensen REALLY That Terrible?

[USMCsilver]

I know there's a lot of hate in multiple circles towards Christensen. I've read lots of bad stuff (along with some of decent stuff) and I've kinda just chalked it up as people strongly dissing a company that they, for the most part, have zero first-hand knowledge.

I'll fess up. I own an MPR in 6.5 PRC. For me, it's great. It groups well, and is a "nice rifle" for my uses/purpose. Did I spend more than I should have on it? Dunno, as it was a pretty smokin' deal. But I'm not here to discuss that.

THE POINT OF THE THREAD: My kid turns 16 in December. He hunts, but doesn't care (at this age) for precision shooting. I have the opportunity to buy a new Ridgeline FFT (link to rifle) in .270 for $1,650. Is it worth that? I dunno. Could I build a "better" hunting rifle for $1,650 after tax, shipping, etc.? I kinda doubt it.

So, if you had a sub $1,700 budget, what would you suggest for a "nice" hunting rifle for a 16th birthday present? I'm not dead-set on any caliber. His present use is whitetail at 70-110yd and killed everything DRT with his youth model Mossberg .243. I'd not want to limit him too much, as this will be a rifle he'll hopefully keep for life. But I also don't think that he needs any boutique or magnum calibers, either.

The other rifle in the back of my head is a Bergara B-14 Wilderness in .308.

I looked through the classifieds, and nothing jumped out at me. What other "off the shelf" rifles should I consider?

Thanks very much!

 

[troupe]

Find a Ruger American and a decent scope and then take him somewhere nice to hunt and still have money left over. I bought my son a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creed. It is a 5/8" rifle with factory ammo. He was in the same boat, no care of the precision rifle yet in his life.

Good Luck and enjoy the outdoors.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

HOWA M1500 Hogue 6.5 Creedmoor 24" BBL (1)4RD Mag Black SKU: 430105652

Check out HOWA M1500 Hogue 6.5 Creedmoor 24" BBL (1)4RD Mag Black SKU: 430105652 available Online at Brownells Today and many more Bolt Action Rifles products are available in our Guns Department.

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The 24 inch barreled one is the heavy barrel which I like. Use the extra money for a scope and Hornady American Gunner ammo.

 

[USMCsilver]

I do have a Gen1 RAR in 300BO in a Magpul stock and it is a rack driver. The Gen2's are much better looking. I assume they're just as accurate as Gen1's?

I've considered the Howa, but don't know much about them; I've read good reviews about them, too. Are they Remington 700 footprint?

 

[Emmett Dibble]

A person I shoot with regularly sells them at a high end sporting goods/gun store. Huge come backs. Have another person that may have worked for them in sales… past tense for a reason.

If your handy, build a gun with your son. Remage is easy with a few special tools and he’ll love it forever.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I do have a Gen1 RAR in 300BO in a Magpul stock and it is a rack driver. The Gen2's are much better looking. I assume they're just as accurate as Gen1's?

I've considered the Howa, but don't know much about them; I've read good reviews about them, too. Are they Remington 700 footprint?

No but HS Precision and Bell&Carlson make stocks plus supposedly Grayboe next year.
Nice actions barrels and triggers on them to start with.

 

[Rick300]

I have only sold one hunting gun in my life. Yep , a Christensen Arms. You couldn't give me another one.

 

[joshb]

Tikka. Fine rifles! Quality actions and barrels. Great triggers! I own 8 of them so I speak from experience.
Take a look at Eurooptic’s website.
Here’s a nice 308. I’ve heard good things and not so good about the new roughtech stocks. I haven’t held one.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I have only sold one hunting gun in my life. Yep , a Christensen Arms. You couldn't give me another one.

A direct answer to the question, what more can you ask for?

 

[troupe]

Tikka. Fine rifles! Quality actions and barrels. Great triggers! I own 8 of them so I speak from experience.

Keepers for sure. Very good rifles. Noticed one someplace a while back for under $600. I started to buy it because it was a Tikka. Very smooth actions and with a stock from you would make a keeper.

 

[bwoodie]

Their customer service is horrible. If you have a problem they will not stand behind their product. Owned one and got rid of it. Would never own another.

 

[Toptom]

Another option I've always liked and had good luck with below that price point is the Model 70. For under 1700 you could get up into the supergrades even the curly maple one with money to spare.

 

[lawman29]

Model 700 Alpha 1 Hunter | Remington

 

[rjstubbl]

I recently bought a bergara b-14 ridge in .243. Has a chamber issue and is currently back with them for repair. Sent it 2 weeks ago and havent heard a thing from them. I tracked it so I know they got it but they haven’t told me anything.

 

[Rubberduckie]

I have a christensen mesa 6.5 prc. I had chambering and sticking rounds with factory ammo. Was also seeing ejector marks on the brass. I saw guys and friends that had the same issues. I ended up taking it to my gunsmith and had him clean up the chamber with his new reamer. The spot bedding job from the factory wasn't anything special. I since changed the stock but haven't fired it since. I wouldn't buy it again if I had a choice. Tikka would be my first choice. And if budget wasn't an issue than a sako or custom build.

 

[Fuj]

Just helped one of our club members with a 7-08 Kimber He
just picked up at Sportsmens Warehouse. Decent rifle for the
claimed $900 bucks he paid for it......

 

[SecondsCount]

Buy a Tikka and spend the rest on good glass.

 

[HTSmith]

Another Tikka fan here. I bought my first one last year for less than the cost of a custom barrel. A $10 trigger spring and I was in business. Shoots extremely well even with the plastic stock.

 

[falconpilot]

Owned several Ridgelines..two shot, two didn't. Own a 338 ELR and its a great rifle. Own two 22- Rangers, a 22LR and a 22Mag- they are both the best 22 rifles I've ever owned. It seems their "main stream" rifles are hit and miss..

We recommended Ridgeline to a couple buddies - they bought them and neither one would shot and customer services was weak at best. I wouldn't buy another from them.

 

[Will Henry]

I recently bought a bergara b-14 ridge in .243. Has a chamber issue and is currently back with them for repair. Sent it 2 weeks ago and havent heard a thing from them. I tracked it so I know they got it but they haven’t told me anything.

View attachment 1598709

I believe what you have there is a 243 Herter's Ram Magnum. These cartridges turn previously immutable ballistic rules upside down. Combine this with the Christensen rifle and you've got a real rarity. I see yours came with the optional shur-grip chamber finish. Bonus. I say all of this in jest, of course.
I have only looked at one Christensen. It was brought in to me because he was having trouble getting fired cases back into the rifle. The chamber was fluted due to reamer chatter. The rifle was sent back to Christensen, but no response yet (about a month). WH