Christensen Arms Carbon... or build on Savage Action?

[Hookem74]

OK.. So I am going to get a 6.5 Creedmoor one way or the other.. not an X47 or any other variant, a Creedmoor. Looking for some opinions or experiences with Christensen Arms.. looking at the Carbon Classic with a 22" barrel for weight and swinging purposes. I like the drop box mag, carbon barrel, and the overall look of the gun, and the fact that the action is based off the 700. I have other rifles for long range stuff, this will be primarily a 100-500 yd hunting rifle. But i also have an old Savage 308 rifle, closed bottom, that could become a donor action for a ground up custom build... would do a lightweight varmint barrel on it, hunter stock, 22" barrel. But would have to get the drop box mag bottom metal, etc. to get it like I want. Thoughts?

 

[dkhunt14]

MY opinion would be to get a regular stainless barrel, get it fluted if you want it lighter. I have no problem carrying a couple extra pounds and usually the heavier barrel gun will outshoot the lighter one. I would also put a brake on it. Matt

 

[Paddyd]

One thing to consider concerning actions. The Remington action is a great action, as is the Savage, but when you consider the Savage has a floating bolt head and doesn't require any special machining to get it to lock up square and the fact that you already have the Savage I would go with what you already have unless you're planning on spending more money. Also, that bolt head can be swapped to swap out barrels chambered in case head dimensions different than your Creedmore without having to buy an entirely new bolt. You can also swap barrels on the Savage action in a few minutes at home without having to hire a smith to do it.Personally, I like Savage, but that's just me. There are a thousand or more arguments that can be made concerning all the different action choices. For hunting purposes though I bet you'd do great using your old Savage action.I also prefer a heavier barrel, but that would depend on where you plan on hunting with it and how much climbing involved.

 

[RockyMtnMan]

Also the option of building on the new Remington 783 instead of the Savage. The 783 accepts all Savage small shank pre-fit barrels, has the floating bolt head, a good trigger, drop out mag, custom stocks available from Boyd's, and a much beefier receiver than the Savage for added rigidity.....and it looks a lot better than a Savage

 

[kev77]

OK.. So I am going to get a 6.5 Creedmoor one way or the other.. not an X47 or any other variant, a Creedmoor. Looking for some opinions or experiences with Christensen Arms.. looking at the Carbon Classic with a 22" barrel for weight and swinging purposes. I like the drop box mag, carbon barrel, and the overall look of the gun, and the fact that the action is based off the 700. I have other rifles for long range stuff, this will be primarily a 100-500 yd hunting rifle. But i also have an old Savage 308 rifle, closed bottom, that could become a donor action for a ground up custom build... would do a lightweight varmint barrel on it, hunter stock, 22" barrel. But would have to get the drop box mag bottom metal, etc. to get it like I want. Thoughts?

Christensen arms ic crap. Sps action screwed on a and barrel and screw it into a stock .. Get a good rifle builder to build you one. At least they'll give a shit .

 

[butchlambert]

You are limited with a Savage style trigger. Take the barrel off your present rifle, sight in on something and pull the trigger. It will be like stirring soup. You will not be able to hold it steady.

 

[Paddyd]

You are limited with a Savage style trigger. Take the barrel off your present rifle, sight in on something and pull the trigger. It will be like stirring soup. You will not be able to hold it steady.

The Savage 3 screw is A GOOD TRIGGER. My 110FP three screw trigger is between 2-3 lbs and breaks like glass. Savage make some damned good factory triggers.

 

[butchlambert]

The Savage 3 screw is A GOOD TRIGGER. My 110FP three screw trigger is between 2-3 lbs and breaks like glass. Savage make some damned good factory triggers.

He is still limited to his Savage trigger and the carbon fiber barrel is not a good choice. JMHO

 

[Paddyd]

There are aftermarket trigger options out there. I agree about the barrel. Forget the carbon fiber barrel and go with a a Shilen barrel prefit for the Savage action and get a tack driver for much less than investing in another action. You can take that 110 action, build a great hunting rifle around it and still have the option to switch it out to a different barrel/caliber whatever and NOT need to pay anyone to do it. Savage is about the only way to build a great hunting rig at home. Try that with a Remington. The average guy can't do it. He needs a smith. ANYONE with minimal abilities can screw in a prefit barrel on a Savage action themselves using a couple blocks of hardwood, bench vice, Savage nut wrench and a headspace gauge. Not everyone has a grand or so to build a hunting rig. I say use the 110 action and invest money saved into a good optic.

 

[RockyMtnMan]

The Savage 3 screw is A GOOD TRIGGER. My 110FP three screw trigger is between 2-3 lbs and breaks like glass. Savage make some damned good factory triggers.

Thats funny. I take it you've never shot a rifle with a Jewel or B&A.

 

[Paddyd]

Not saying it's the best trigger going, just that for a hunting rifle it's plenty good. A guy can spend the money to get the best possible trigger "if" money isn't an option. For me, a clean breaking 3 lb trigger on a hunting rifle is plenty good. The Savage 3 screw is adjustable for pull weight, creep and overtravel. The newer Savage Accu trigger is pretty damned good for a hunting trigger too.
All I can say is it sure must be nice to have funds where money is no option. You forget that the guy was asking whether his action would make a viable donor action to build a rifle around, so evidently he aint looking to spend 2K on a hunting rifle when a perfectly good accurate one can be built for well under a grand with that 110 action. I think it's easy to recommend the best of the best when it's somebody elses money...

 

[Catfish]

The Savage 3 screw is A GOOD TRIGGER. My 110FP three screw trigger is between 2-3 lbs and breaks like glass. Savage make some damned good factory triggers.
I buy every Savage rifle that I think is to cheap, just foe the actions. I have Savages with a few different kinds of triggers. Sharp Shooters Supply make an excellent target trigger for Savages, but are not nessary for most rifle uses. If you load your own head space your barrel with one of your reloads and you don`t need go or no-go gage. If you have to buy another magazine, no big deal, just keep your old one and old barrel and in a few minutes you can have a 308 again.

 

[RockyMtnMan]

...All I can say is it sure must be nice to have funds where money is no option. You forget that the guy was asking whether his action would make a viable donor action to build a rifle around, so evidently he aint looking to spend 2K on a hunting rifle when a perfectly good accurate one can be built for well under a grand with that 110 action.

He also mentioned purchasing a Christensen Arms rifle. Have you ever looked at the price tag of a rifle built by Christensen Arms? The Carbon Classic runs around $2800.

So Im sure he can afford something a little nicer than a custom barreled blind mag Savage if he chooses to do so.

I also agree that the Carbon barrels are not worth the money. That thin little steel sleeve under the carbon is not very conducive to accuracy.

 

[Shynloco]

OK.. So I am going to get a 6.5 Creedmoor one way or the other.. not an X47 or any other variant, a Creedmoor. Looking for some opinions or experiences with Christensen Arms.. looking at the Carbon Classic with a 22" barrel for weight and swinging purposes. I like the drop box mag, carbon barrel, and the overall look of the gun, and the fact that the action is based off the 700. I have other rifles for long range stuff, this will be primarily a 100-500 yd hunting rifle. But i also have an old Savage 308 rifle, closed bottom, that could become a donor action for a ground up custom build... would do a lightweight varmint barrel on it, hunter stock, 22" barrel. But would have to get the drop box mag bottom metal, etc. to get it like I want. Thoughts?

Hookem64,
After reading your comments and the comments that followed, there are a couple of things that are apparent to me. Many of the folks commenting negatively about a Christensen Arms rifle have never owned, held or fired one. Secondly, you apparently are not restricting your choices by a dollar amount you may spend. Thirdly, if you are considering using a present rifle you own as a "donor," that suggests to me that you are either willing to part with it (as it sits right now) and you are not pleased with it's performance.

Further, your intended use of this "new" rifle is primarily for hunting. Having said all that, about a year or so I had the opportunity to handle and shoot a Christensen Arms Customize 300 WinMag at my range where a builder/gunsmith was testing loads for a customer. He let me shoot that rig and I shot several rounds through her at 100 yds, I had to laugh and was amazed at the light weight of the rifle. I'm not a great fan of 300 Winmags as most I've shot WITHOUT A suppressor kinda left my shoulder a bit sore. But this Christensen Ams 300 WinMag rifle had a suppressor and what a sweet and accurate shooter that baby was. I cannot speak or comment on the longevity of the carbon fiber barrel. But that rig was accurate and a pleasure to hold and shoot.

SO the bottom line, might I suggest to go hold a Christensen Arms rifle (and if possible shoot) and then make a decision which way to go. I own Remingtons, Savages, but not a Christensen Arms rifle simply because I am constrained by the amounts of money I can spend on my shooting toys. I will say if I had the bucks to spend and if I were looking for a hunting rig, I'd buy me one of those Christensen Arms rifles in a heartbeat and never worry about a weight factor or if the rifle would perform for me on a hunt.

Alex

 

[Hookem74]

Perfect.. this is the type of info / opinions I was looking for... That being said, yes, the Christensen is moderately expensive. I own several Remingtons, several Savages, and Rugers, some with factory triggers, some with Timney and Jewel. My go to Long Range is a Remington Sendero 300 ultra mag, 26" tube, with a mercury tube set in the fore end.. tames a little of the recoil to keep it manageable. lots of little stuff, 17, 22, 6mm, 270. My main goal in going with the Carbon barrel as I said is the swing weight of it.. South Texas Hog hunting can lead to some fast action shooting.. from stands to trucks to stalking. On the Christensen, even with the 24 or 26" tube, feels like some of my O/U Shotguns on the shoulder.. I know the Carbon has never made the big splash, perhaps due to cost resrictions, but I bought one of the Magnum Research 22 mags with the Houge stock and carbon wrapped barrel.. and absolutely love it. Deadly accurate, light, easy to carry around. I know comparing a 22 mag to 6.5 is apples to oranges, but that is my only carbon experience. I have a Remington Action - Wieseman Barrel 22/6mm with a Fluted Medium Varmint Barrel.. Love it, but love the Ballistics on the Creedmoor and the high BC of the bullet..

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have never used a christensen but have been around other carbon barrels and for a lightweight hunting rifle they are perfect. If you go with a regular barrel i suggest a #2 or 3 taper max and flute it if you need more weight off. If youre gonna be mountain climbing i suggest 24" max barrel length

 

[Hookem74]

Well, first let me say thanks to everyone for all the input on this. It seems I went against the grain for the most part, and ordered the Christensen 6.5 Creedmoor, 24" barrel. . It should be in tomorrow! I hate waiting on FedEx!! A Vortex Viper 4-16 will be first to go on, but will soon be followed up with a Leupold VX6 3-18 Illum. BC. got 1 box ea of 120, 129, 140, and 143 ELD-X. Depending on weather, will hopefully get to play some this weekend. I will be posting updates and pics as I can. As stated, this is a hunting rig, so as much as I would love same-hole groups, I will still be happy with sub-moa.. LOL... Hey, it's in their guarantee!!!

Thanks again guys!

Hookem74

 

[rudysts]

I have had the opportunity to shoot two Christensen Arms rifles at my local range that belonged to a fellow member and I have to say I was not very impressed with it. for the price he paid and it wasn't even bedded. as far as accuracy it was sub moa at 200 yards barely but out to 550 yards would not hold moa with his hand loads I am sure that's fine for most hunters. that day I had one of my hunting rifles that are built off a savage action chambered in 280ai with a sendero taper that I put together my self for half the price of a Christensen Arms rifle that was grouping five shots sub 2 inches at 550 yards. for the price of 2800 I would have gone with a custom and probably get sub half moa with proper load development. I'll admit Christensen Arms make some good looking rifles so do Cooper and Kimber but they don't hold a candle to a custom or a well put together Remington or the cheap Savage.

I shot this group this past Sunday 600 yards with that Savage 280ai

 

[Hookem74]

All put together.. now just need some time to start the break in..

 

[butchlambert]

All put together.. now just need some time to start the break in..

Breakin?? What needs breaking in?