I am looking for a new rifle in 7mm-08. Love the caliber for most of my midwest hunting needs. I found a Christensen Ridgeline at a pretty decent price but am hesitant due to a lot of naysayers on the forums. Some people really like the rifle and others wouldn't touch it. This will be a hunting rifle and I rarely shoot over 300 yds, so I am leaning towards taking a chance. I know I may have opened a can of worms here but would like some honest opinions. I heard that CA did have quality issues in the past, but are now putting out better quality rifles.
Christensen Ridgeline quality / accuracy?
- Thread starter BWitz
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I've tried my friend's in 300wm? i don't remember. I was initially impressed, as much with him being able to get one as that it was almost new in box.
He puts an ultra light scope on it and I found the recoil to be a little harsher than my mauser m12 in 300. Accuracy was meh, but it hadn't had 20 rounds out of it. Fit and finish are as you would expect, top notch. Quite ergonomic, but a little long for me, but I am short, 5'9.
Accuracy was great for him, and loved it, but I know he did "some work" to it, but he would spit polish a perfect mirror so I don't think that's indicative of what's required or even reasonable for it to be great.
He ended up sending it back and getting a new one about 18-24 months later (in 308) but wouldn't elaborate why, has had it for maybe 5yr and puts a LOT of rounds through it, probably 2 range days a week (1 in winter and 3+in summer). Although he sent back a modern precision shortly after they first came out, one of the first in Canada apparently, for barrel de-laminating, promptly sold it, I didn't get to try it
Last year i did get to try it and a sako 85 bravarian (some custom finish on the stock, otherwise stock) sako l579 full stock well loved, Savage 110 (super custom, why a basic Savage to start I don't know, not my money) and tikka t3x (trigger work, minor stock work) all in 308 and side by side.
Glass aside, 4/5 of us (the CA owner found no fault with his gun, others 'need work' he's that type of guy) ranked them 85, CA, Savage, tikka, l579 (requires a sholder surgery after every other box) for comfort.
85/CA tied, Savage, tikka (its a hunting rifle) , l579 for finish.
Accuracy was l579 (by far, factory lapua 175g sen-L, it's outrageous), same nosler 168 match for the rest(they didn't like the lapua) savage and CA were close I think 0.75ish moa (or better), 85 was about 1moa and the tikka doesn't like that ammo and was way off (normally 1.5moa with hornady 165 whitetail, better with match)
Cool was CA, Savage, l579 (mannlicher, what can I say), 85, tikka
Hunting CA, tikka (plastic stock, something just right), 579, 85, Savage. But we are all afraid to take expensive things into harms way.
Weight (low to high) CA, tikka, 579, 85, Savage.
We were equally split and opposite on want/worth it between the 85 and CA.
Value now CA but in 10,20,30 years we all picked the 85. Between the 3 other guys they bought 1 sako carbon, CA Mesa, and CA Mesa long range, no issues and lots of love for the CA. Long range especially.
Personally I want the CA, but would go for a Mesa titanium for a light weight hunting option. Zero quality issues reported, although everyone got new mags, who doesn't. Can't go wrong.
mobenzowner
Well-Known Member
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I have a Ridgeline in 6.5 cm. I love it.
hicountry1
Well-Known Member
I have experience with 2 CA rifles...my brother's 7/08 Mesa, and my 6.5 prc Ridgeline.
The Mesa fit and finish was nice. Got good accuracy out of it working up loads for it. Hovers around .75 - 1". I expected it to shoot better to be honest. shot factories like crap, but we didn't try a whole lot of factory stuff. Some Rem corelokts, and Hornady interlocks. Not good at all.
My 6.5prc Ridgeline on the other hand is sub .5" with factory or handloads. Extremely accurate rifle.
The Mesa fit and finish was nice. Got good accuracy out of it working up loads for it. Hovers around .75 - 1". I expected it to shoot better to be honest. shot factories like crap, but we didn't try a whole lot of factory stuff. Some Rem corelokts, and Hornady interlocks. Not good at all.
My 6.5prc Ridgeline on the other hand is sub .5" with factory or handloads. Extremely accurate rifle.
hicountry1
Well-Known Member
Second point, regarding the accuracy issues with the Ridgeline.
It is my understanding that CA got a bad batch of bbls from Proof.
Scchiit happens when you start mass producing anything.
I blame Proof for poor QC for starters.
Secondly, I also blame CA for not checking the quality of the components they receive from suppliers.
Poor management, and/or bean counters cutting corners to meet orders. Wonder how that all worked out for them ?
What happened to LAW, and put them out of business. Scchhiit bbls from Green Mountain on certain calibers. I know, I had one. Cost them dearly to fix those in terms of $$$, and reputation.
Reputation Is very fragile as is apparent from the OP. Good and bad news travels at the speed of light.....
It is my understanding that CA got a bad batch of bbls from Proof.
Scchiit happens when you start mass producing anything.
I blame Proof for poor QC for starters.
Secondly, I also blame CA for not checking the quality of the components they receive from suppliers.
Poor management, and/or bean counters cutting corners to meet orders. Wonder how that all worked out for them ?
What happened to LAW, and put them out of business. Scchhiit bbls from Green Mountain on certain calibers. I know, I had one. Cost them dearly to fix those in terms of $$$, and reputation.
Reputation Is very fragile as is apparent from the OP. Good and bad news travels at the speed of light.....
Trm82
Well-Known Member
I've had 5 Christensens and I think you get a bad or a good one no in between .
My favourite was a 7-08 ridgeline that shot the 150 eldX with RL17 amazing. I was getting 2890 FPS and was half MOA rifle out to 600 yards.
I've since moved onto higher end rifles and I'm not fond of there actions or the stocks.
Also there customer service was poor in my opinion.
mobenzowner
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I thought Christensen made their own CF barrels. I dont think they are associated with Proof. I could be wrong however.
KSB209
Well-Known Member
I didn't know Proof made barrels for CA. I thought they (CA) claimed they made their own barrels. I could be wrong and curious to know
Lefty38-55
Well-Known Member
My best friend just picked one up in 308 Win, only due to the amount of ammo we have for that caliber. It is light, handles well, looks extremely well designed and built, it fits us well, and the bolt slides like it is on a bed of ball bearings! The trigger adjusted precisely and it is accurate with everything we've thrown down the pipe, 95% all hunting ammo too, SPs or bonded, and it easily is a sub-MOA rifle.
And my friend is more of a 'game shot' than a pure 'target shooter'. I shoot rifle competitions, so I tried it on the bench and it even performed amazingly well with Federal GMM loads, 1/2 MOA @ 200-yards. Offhand I hit the 200Y gong every shot, but I shoot like that all the time, so I'm in practice for such offhand shooting.
Now the only thing I don't care for on the rifle is the brake ... especially if next to it when it goes off, and that's only on a 308! While not my tastes per se (as I still LOVE wood and blue steel ... OK Boomer, LOL!) if I were looking for a light hunting rig, I don't think one could go wrong ...
And my friend is more of a 'game shot' than a pure 'target shooter'. I shoot rifle competitions, so I tried it on the bench and it even performed amazingly well with Federal GMM loads, 1/2 MOA @ 200-yards. Offhand I hit the 200Y gong every shot, but I shoot like that all the time, so I'm in practice for such offhand shooting.
Now the only thing I don't care for on the rifle is the brake ... especially if next to it when it goes off, and that's only on a 308! While not my tastes per se (as I still LOVE wood and blue steel ... OK Boomer, LOL!) if I were looking for a light hunting rig, I don't think one could go wrong ...
Axl
Well-Known Member
Christensen does not buy barrels from Proof never has. They make their own.
LAW used Wilson barrels.
hicountry1
Well-Known Member
SteveBurton
Formerly 'Jackmonkey'
I know several people that are happy with the CAs. My experience was not as good. I think it boils down to different people have different levels of acceptable. I'm pretty disappointed In all production rifles now.
My Ridgeline in 6.5 PRC now wears a McMillan stock and a CarbonSix barrel. I'm pretty close to custom rifle $$ now.
My Ridgeline in 6.5 PRC now wears a McMillan stock and a CarbonSix barrel. I'm pretty close to custom rifle $$ now.
