Christensen Arms ??

[santee116]

My dad has the oportunity to buy a used Christensen Arms in 270 wthby mag. Just wondering if anybody has any experience with these rifles. I know nothing other than what you can learn from their website. They seem like very nice guns. If he can get it for around 1500 or less I am tempted to tell him to buy it. The good news is that he already shoots a Mark V 270 wthby. so plenty of factory ammo and brass is already on hand, would just need to buy a set of dies and find some **** magnum primers!!!

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[JCFORD]

I would recommend he shoot it first or get a 3 day time span to check it out. I have one and would not buy another for any amount. Some seem to really shoot well and some will not shoot at all. People either love them or hate them. They are light and easy to carry. But they seem to be finicky and cutomer service is non-existent. Once you buy it, it's yours and the problems that came with it are yours as well. I bought mine straight from them and it is the custom version. I will soon cut the barrel off of mine and rebarrel it. Cannot bring myself to sell it someone and screw them over that bad. Good Luck, maybe it is one of the good ones.

 

[learning]

Oh no don't do it. Mine shoots lights out but only after I had it re chambered to the ori. chamber. They lost mine for three months messed it up badly and now have one inch less barrel? I have no idea why they shortened it but they did. Don't.

 

[Willys46]

I watched a very experienced Benchrest shooter try and do load development for one and he said he has never worked so hard to get something to shoot. He got it down to .8 to 1 moa and gave up.

I think they are over priced for what you get.

 

[idig4au]

I have a custom one in 30-378 It shoots .5 moa all day long with factory ammo. I'm pretty happy with it so far and have no real complaints. Maybe I just have that really shoots. Or maybe it shoots better then I can hold it. An elk is really not going to notice the difference I don't think.

I read a lot of negative comments about them right after I ordered it (and before I knew about this website). I was apprehensive to say the least. But, like I said, it shoots really well, and I didn't have much problems dealing with them. It arrived when they said it would and was built to my specifications.

Just keep an open mind. You will also read on here that not many people like weatherby's either. Funny, that is all I have ever shot, and guess what, all my factory weatherby's shoot the lights out to. It's all about personal opinion.

At any rate, I think the christensen is a good hunting rifle to pack around all day in the mountains. If you want ot shoot benchrest or pretend you are a sniper with it, then you probably need something else.

 

[grit]

I have a custom one in 30-378 It shoots .5 moa all day long with factory ammo. I'm pretty happy with it so far and have no real complaints. Maybe I just have that really shoots. Or maybe it shoots better then I can hold it. An elk is really not going to notice the difference I don't think.

.

I must share my amusement. A 30-378 might shoot .5moa all day, once. Consistent .5 moa, with factory ammo and a Christensen Arms rifle? You should play the lottery.

 

[idig4au]

I must share my amusement. A 30-378 might shoot .5moa all day, once. Consistent .5 moa, with factory ammo and a Christensen Arms rifle? You should play the lottery.

I don't need to play the lottery.

I've always had good luck with weatherby ammo...my whole family has...for 30 some years. I wonder why that is. Only reason to re-load with weatherby's is to save costs. That is not really a concern for me right now, but my time is.

None of my elk, sheep and etc on the wall has ever complained. But what do I know...I am just a hunter that knows his caliber and how to shoot it. Isn't traditional hunting really about that?

To each their own.

 

[Michael Eichele]

I think what Grit is getting at is that with that caliber AND that insulated barrel, you shoot it all day long, your barrel is toast.

 

[grit]

I think what Grit is getting at is that with that caliber AND that insulated barrel, you shoot it all day long, your barrel is toast.

That is what struck me funny, or something along those lines. It was very late. Most folks know me here and expect a little good natured ribbing.

If the lottery comment is offensive... Well, I still think it's accurate. You're beating some long odds. (Bearing in mind, I'm assuming .5 moa means .5moa significantly beyond rock chucking range.)
With your coin invested, you surely believe something different. Confidence certainly has value, however it's bought. Somebody around here asked for opinions. It's certainly possible your opinion is more accurate than mine. I'm in Utah, Christensen arms is in Utah, maybe you are too. I'm always interested in new folks to shoot with. I'm certainly willing to have my opinion changed.

What do you know? You've offered a couple opinions. "It shoots better'n I can hold". "Only reason to reload with Wetherby's is to save cost". "I'm just a hunter who knows his caliber and how to shoot it". "It's a good rifle to carry around" "...If you want to play sniper you probably want something else"

These beliefs seem to be serving you well. I wouldn't call 'em knowledge. I wouldn't even say 'em. But hey, it aint broke...

Traditional hunting? I was assuming we were talking about long range hunting. It's not really traditional for me. My dad didn't do it until I taught him.

As for dead animals complaining.... Best keep that kind of stuff under your hat.

 

[scott n]

Cant tell you anything about the cal., however I've owned two Christensen Arms rifles. One was a .300 RUM and the one I own now is a .300 WSM. Both shoot extremely well with factory ammo. I shoot 180 grain bullets . I ordered my .300 WSM w/ a Kreiger barrel rather than the standard barrel C.A. uses. I'm shooting a sub .4 in. five shot, 100 yd. group w/ factory Federal 180 gr. Barnes MRX bullets @ 3220 fps. My .300 RUM liked 180 grain Scirroccos and shot a sub .5 in.group @ 3280 fps. Never could get a good hand load developed. I did send a rifle back for some testing on a scope,(no fault of C.A.) and found their customer service to be ok. I wont own any other rifle for big game hunting. Took both rifles to Africa, and both performed well. I would recommend A Christensen Arms rifle w/o hesitation.

 

[adam32]

I have a barrel of theirs...not screwed on an action yet so I don't know if it shoots or not. But when I bought it (used from GB) I called Christensen first to asked about it and they were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable...I'll have more info if I ever get it together...

 

[bwaites]

I've seen 2, shot one in 7mm WSM. Lighweight thumbhole stock with a muzzle brake.

Shot much softer than my F class 7mm WSM, and weighed less than 1/2 as much!

Shot well under 1 MOA at 200 yards with factory ammo, AND with less than 20 rounds down the tube!

It is a friends rifle, so I haven't played with it much, but wow!

Bill

 

[Jumpalot]

Cant tell you anything about the cal., however I've owned two Christensen Arms rifles. One was a .300 RUM and the one I own now is a .300 WSM. Both shoot extremely well with factory ammo. I shoot 180 grain bullets . I ordered my .300 WSM w/ a Kreiger barrel rather than the standard barrel C.A. uses. I'm shooting a sub .4 in. five shot, 100 yd. group w/ factory Federal 180 gr. Barnes MRX bullets @ 3220 fps. My .300 RUM liked 180 grain Scirroccos and shot a sub .5 in.group @ 3280 fps. Never could get a good hand load developed. I did send a rifle back for some testing on a scope,(no fault of C.A.) and found their customer service to be ok. I wont own any other rifle for big game hunting. Took both rifles to Africa, and both performed well. I would recommend A Christensen Arms rifle w/o hesitation.

You're shooting a 300 WSM with 180 grain bullets at 3220 fps? Holy crap that's fast! How long is your barrel?

 

[idig4au]

Cant tell you anything about the cal., however I've owned two Christensen Arms rifles. One was a .300 RUM and the one I own now is a .300 WSM. Both shoot extremely well with factory ammo. I shoot 180 grain bullets . I ordered my .300 WSM w/ a Kreiger barrel rather than the standard barrel C.A. uses. I'm shooting a sub .4 in. five shot, 100 yd. group w/ factory Federal 180 gr. Barnes MRX bullets @ 3220 fps. My .300 RUM liked 180 grain Scirroccos and shot a sub .5 in.group @ 3280 fps. Never could get a good hand load developed. I did send a rifle back for some testing on a scope,(no fault of C.A.) and found their customer service to be ok. I wont own any other rifle for big game hunting. Took both rifles to Africa, and both performed well. I would recommend A Christensen Arms rifle w/o hesitation.

Happy to hear that you've had good luck with the C.R. and factory ammo in terms of accuracy. When I stated a similar comment, I was told that I should go play the lottery. But to each their own and I'm glad it's working out for the best for you as well.