Hells Canyon Long Range McMillan vs Christensen Ridgeline

[AZ Wildcat]

Thinking about a lighter weight rifle, probably in .300 Win, for hunting. Not planning on shooting anything bigger than 215 Bergers. Anyone have any thoughts on the Browning Hells Canyon Long Range McMillan compared to the Christensen Ridgeline?

 

[Knuckleballz]

Also curious about the 8 twist 300win mag with 215 bergers, bullet seating length in regards to max allowable in the xbolt magazine and distance to the lands. 3.585 max length for xbolt magazine?

 

[AKBoling]

I don't really see the two rifles mentioned as comparing apples to apples. The speed in 300 would be a great light weight hunting rifle compared to the ridgeline for quite a bit less. The Hells Canyon LR would excel with the heavies given that you could seat them properly.

 

[AZ Wildcat]

I ended up purchasing the Hells Canyon Long Range with the McMillan Stock (which ends up being roughly the same price as the CA Ridgeline and a bit heavier). The barrel is not stamped with the twist rate but a call to Browning with my serial number confirmed that mine is in fact 1:8. It may be possible that some older versions with the 1:10 twist rate are still on shelves so I'm glad I called.

I have not shot it yet but plan to on Sunday. I did load some of the new Berger-loaded ammunition with the 215s and they are the absolute longest cartridge that will fit in the magazine. I don't know what the COAL of this cartridge is but I'll measure and report back for anyone who is interested. I know they are quite a bit longer than other factory offerings.

 

[cohunt]

Did you check the twist rate with a cleaning rod/jag/patch?

I just went through the same ordeal with browning and twist rate on a stalker LR and they told me ALL of the faster twist rate barrels are stamped with the twist rate

My xbolt mag allows 3.595"

Also, did you check the "hits lands length" of the bullets before loading? Mine is the 7rem mag not 300, but I hit lands with almost every bullet I have measured before I'm at max mag length

 

[the444shooter]

The Berger loaded ammo with the 215s is listed right at 3.600 according to Berger, but I just measured 5 of them and the went anywhere from 3.594 up to 3.597 and barely fits in my factory Rem 700 mag box.

 

[257Tony]

The x-bolt mag will feed a 3.6" cartridge, I've tested it in mine. They also chamber them in 300 H&H which is a 3.6" cartridge. I have the same HCLR McMillan in 28 Nosler and its a hell of a shooter. Really great rifle for the money, can;t wait to take it out hunting for a week at the end of the month.

Do yourself a favor and get one of the Mcarbo trigger springs, should take it down to right at or near 2 lbs.

 

[AKBoling]

Do yourself a favor and get one of the Mcarbo trigger springs, should take it down to right at or near 2 lbs.[/QUOTE]

I will second this I just swapped out the spring in my x-bolt with the mcarbo spring and its running right at 2lbs +/- an ounce or two on the scale.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I happened upon a left hand HC LR McMillan in 6.5 Creed. It wasn't what I was looking for at the time but I was impressed with it after taking it from the box. Naturally, it followed me back home.
I replaced the fake (oversized hollow) brake with a contour matched Vais and put a Timney trigger in it. With a little load work I was able to get the Berger 135 Classic Hunter bullet to shoot groups as small as 1.5" @ 400 yds. Not bad for an essentially factory rifle.

 

[Hatrick]

Did you check the twist rate with a cleaning rod/jag/patch?

I just went through the same ordeal with browning and twist rate on a stalker LR and they told me ALL of the faster twist rate barrels are stamped with the twist rate

My xbolt mag allows 3.595"

Also, did you check the "hits lands length" of the bullets before loading? Mine is the 7rem mag not 300, but I hit lands with almost every bullet I have measured before I'm at max mag length

This^^^^^^^
From what I understand all new fast twist barrels are stamped with the rate.

 

[werth338]

I purchased a Hells Canyon Ambush Long Range McMillian and it will shoot. I loaded it with Berger 210 Hunting VLD at 3.56 length and with H1000 and Labrador was showing 2900 fps. It was half moa with that and the Berger 185 ammo from Berger. I can't speak to CA past handling them at a store. Seems like a nice rifle but I prefer a shorter bolt throw and I really got to like to magazine on the Browning as well. I was able to adjust the trigger down to an acceptable level plus Timney does one as well. If you want even lighter and don't need a 1-8" twist take a hard look at the X-Bolt Pro. The ones I have handled have great balance and all the reviews are excellent on them as well. They do have a Pro Long Range Version which is about the same weight as the Hells McMillian with a 1-8" twist barrel.

Not that this is something to base a rifle purchase on but the Hells McMillian I have is much easier and quicker to clean vs other rifles I have been around.