Christensen Arms

[Caseyd]

I was at kenmore over the weekend, doing some rifle shooting.

The guy next to me had just picked up a Christensen Arms carbon hunter in 300 RUM. It was a sweet rig    I think I'm going to have to start saving 

[RadSav]

I'd never own a RUM, but I've been eyeballing that gun as well.  Was in a Canada camp with a guy who was shooting one in 7mm.  The best balanced magnum I have ever held.  He offered to let me shoot it, but why torture myself.  That's a complete guided archery elk hunt in Canada.  And, I'd only shoot it every few years when I get a multi season deer permit.  Lightwieght, balanced, smooth action and guaranteed sub-MOA accuracy...what's not to like about that?  Except the price!  Though I expect I'd think it was worth every penny if I had one.  Must be some way I could write it off as a business expense, isn't there ?

[carpsniperg2]

They are a pretty solid gun. I had talked to the guys there more then once. I really thought about ordering one as well. Then I found my 340wby. The thing I don't like is that its a huge cost to upgrade the action. I like the 700 action but am not a huge fan of it on high end rifles. They have wanted 700 just to upgrade to a sako action. Thats pretty crazy right there. I have shot 2 of them both magnums and liked the way they shot. Even though there was still plenty of recoil even with the muzzle brake.

[whacker1]

 A buddy of mine bought one a few years ago in 300 wsm.  It is a pretty nice set up.

[get one leakin]

I have  a Christensen Arms carbon extreme 300 Ultra.  The price was high but its worth every penny.  I saved my money and bought 3 yrs ago.  Now I have a rifle for  the rest of my life, why wait 5 yrs and then probably pay more.  It is the best thing I have ever bought.  So balanced and it only weighs about 6lbs with the scope.  Its deadly for our long range shooting, hoping to try it out on a bull here in about...o...  37 days

[Cascade_Sherpa]

If you are serious about wanting to go with a carbon fiber sleeved or wrapped barrel on a rifle you should do some in depth research on Christensen Arms rifles and their manufacturing methods.  Unless they've changed their design they are way behind the technology curve in carbon fiber barrels and I seen quite a few threads on this forum and others complaining about their Q/C; several threads have been started from rifle owners sending their rifles back to christensen because they just won't group as advertised.  I think all of their models except for the top of the line have factory Remington barrels turned down in a lathe to accept a carbon fiber sleeve.  Which in turn has been proved to insulate the barrel instead of dissipating heat like ABS and a few other barrel makers that are further ahead in the evolutionary process than christensen arms is. In their defense I think they have good luck with their top shelf model that they use a match grade barrel to start with.

I think it was a January issue of Shooting Times that did an article on ABS barrels explaining their method of wrapping the barrel with carbon fiber instead of just installing a sleeve. The authors did a Infrared thermal scan on the barrel to prove its heat conductivity. The article finished by saying the improved  carbon fiber wrapping process actually pulls heat away from the barrel rather than insulates it.  Accurate Innovations and Mike Rock of Rock Creek Barrels recommend them.

[gunnarnewt]

     I bought one two years ago and it's the best investment I've ever made. Very accurate, they convinced me to go with the RUM, and outside of the price of brass, I've been pleasantly surprised at the lack of recoil (muzzle brake installed). 5.5 lbs out of the box. 7 lbs all decked out. Couldn't be happier. 

[high country]

I did my time with a 300 rum christensen. It was THE most finicky rifle I have ever owned. I had one load it would shoot slightly better than moa and gobs it would not. The barrels scratch easy on rocks and they feel clubby dispite the lack of weight. The best thing I can say about it is that it was so nichey that it was easy to sell.

Thankfully, I learned to build my own rifles and now know of 5 or more makers barrels that can be just as light and way more accurate. 

[whacker1]

I know of 5 or more makers barrels that can be just as light and way more accurate. 

I am intrigued - would you care to share?

at some point in the future I would like to rebarrel my 300 rum, and have some work done to the action.

[buckhorn2]

I bought one from guns america that had a camo stock and v-7 4.5 to 14 50mm in 300 hundred weatherby and it is a tack driver and got the whole set up for under 2 thousand those scopes are over a thousand so there are deals out there. I also bought a 30-378 accumark wby with a 6.5 to 20 leupold with shells dies bullets and it was also 2 thousand and the scope had the bullet drop turnet top and they are spendy.

[high country]

I know of 5 or more makers barrels that can be just as light and way more accurate. 

I am intrigued - would you care to share?

at some point in the future I would like to rebarrel my 300 rum, and have some work done to the action.

Pretty much every barrel maker around producing a #1-#3 barrel will be very close on weight and your odds of it out shooting a christensen are quite good. I choose makers based on available barrels or some are stand outs in a particular caliber.....like a rock .308, tough to best. I hear nothing but good about Washington's own benchmark barrels, although I have never spun one and I have not looked over the contours. Pac-nor, hart, shilen, broughton......there is a bunch of them.

[whacker1]

I know of 5 or more makers barrels that can be just as light and way more accurate. 

I am intrigued - would you care to share?

at some point in the future I would like to rebarrel my 300 rum, and have some work done to the action.

Pretty much every barrel maker around producing a #1-#3 barrel will be very close on weight and your odds of it out shooting a christensen are quite good. I choose makers based on available barrels or some are stand outs in a particular caliber.....like a rock .308, tough to best. I hear nothing but good about Washington's own benchmark barrels, although I have never spun one and I have not looked over the contours. Pac-nor, hart, shilen, broughton......there is a bunch of them.

i have intentions of connecting with you when I finally get ready to do some custom work to my 300.  It seems every time this subject comes up you have already played with all the ideas I have and you could probably save me a considerable amount of time and money with a little coaching.

[buckhorn2]

This is a picture of the one I bought.

[high country]

I will happily share my experiences with you. i have wasted a lot of money over the years.....lol.

[whacker1]

I will happily share my experiences with you. i have wasted a lot of money over the years.....lol.

excellent - I will be in touch in the next couple of years.