New Rifle question stiff bolt hard lockup

I just bought a christensen arms Ridgeline in 300 am and when I pulled it out of the box I noticed the bolt lift was very stiff and the lockup seems like it takes more effort than it should for a rifle in this price range is this normal for these rifles?

Give Christensen Arms a call to see what they say.

Check and see if the guard screw is touching the bolt. Either it could be to long or to tight.

This is normal for their rifles. Shoot it and it will break in, mine in 300wsm was same way. after about 50-60 rds it frees up. If after about 60rd still not getting free call them. I've seen probably 10 post about this same thing. Mine shoots really well, how it grouping?

I have a Ridgeline in 300WM. Never noticed the bolt lift being excessive. Smooth and loves Barnes TSXBT. Very happy with mine !

Stiff bolt lift and close on some guns but not all is a pretty good sign that they have a QC issue. There is no good reason for a high dollar gun to need to be worn in. Personally I would be calling them and insisting they fix the gun so it operates properly.

Talked to christensen they said that they use a stiffer spring than other rifles and that they have tighter tolerances as well and that's normal they did offer to look at it seems like alot of smoke they are trying to blow up my ***

That's the same story I got from them. I sent mine back, with same problem + faulty bottom metal. They replaced the bottom metal, but the bolt was just as hard to lift.

I replaced the firing pin and used a 700 spring to lessen the "cock on opening" pressure. Also had firing pin bushed because it was cratering the primers.

Got it shooting and then got rid of it.

MontanaOutdoorsman406 said:

Talked to christensen they said that they use a stiffer spring than other rifles and that they have tighter tolerances as well and that's normal they did offer to look at it seems like alot of smoke they are trying to blow up my ---

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They are very good rifles, and why does a rifle have to be exactly like every other rifle. Listen to what they tell you, do as they say. It will smooth out and be awesome. It that's simple. They are not blowing smoke...its just how their rifle works.

coop2564 said:

They are very good rifles, and why does a rifle have to be exactly like every other rifle. Listen to what they tell you, do as they say. It will smooth out and be awesome. It that's simple. They are not blowing smoke...its just how their rifle works.

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I think the point was that if they manufacture a quality and consistent product that all of their rifles would do this rather than some being tight and some being loose especially if their tolerances are so tight like they claim. I have used a few or their barrels on my builds and had great results but their mass produced rifles are iffy in my opinion.

coop2564 said:

They are very good rifles, and why does a rifle have to be exactly like every other rifle. Listen to what they tell you, do as they say. It will smooth out and be awesome. It that's simple. They are not blowing smoke...its just how their rifle works.

Click to expand...

I posted this earlier and for some reason the post disappeared. Having to bush the bolt on a high end rifle is nonsense. A stiff striker spring might make the bolt hard to lift but it does not explain the hard to close. Some rifles being stiff while others are not is a QC issue, not a maker specific rifle design element.

The company is not being truthful to their clients. Charging premium prices for mediocre product and lousy after sales service has unfortunately become routine. It is all about marketing a story rather than actually delivering a top quality product. Based on the information in this thread I would never own one of their guns.

Since I have this very rifle I have noticed all the post on it stating this very thing about the bolt (so it is consistent). And just like mine and like they say shoot it and it will be fine and smooth by time you go thru their break in sequence. If having to shoot 2 box of shells to get a smooth bolt is to much for someone OK. But the gun is a great gun and shooter.