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Joey
November 30, 2017
First I love euro optic they never let me down regardless of what I order, as little as I order.
I purchased this gun on a whelm sorta. I was looking for a 7mm08 but never planned to even look at this Mesa. Every where I turned online my searches lead me to this gun. I never read reviews on guns, typically because most of the time its someone complaining of accuracy. We all know how accuracy can be.. and I never write reviews unless I feel it may help and I can be honest.
My first impressions, as well as all the guys at my FFL, were outstanding. I liked the look, I loved the fit, and I liked the feel. So I accepted the gun did the paperwork and headed straight home.
Once I got home I ran some patches down the bore and was amazed it was as clean as it was. The second patch came out with little to nothing on it. Then I moved on to unpacking the bolt.
When I removed the bolt from the bubble wrap(yeah I didn't do it at the ffl shop) I was left scratching my head, because it looked used. Not the bolt face but the body of the bolt. The finish is "worn" looking for better lack. I had never bought a new gun and had parts that looked used before.
One of the packing items was a checklist. One item on the list was function of the bolt and I guess the tester really worked that sucker over. I thought about calling Christensen Arms and discussing why it looked that way and what if anything needed to be done. However, I decided it was not something that was important to me; after all, my main concern is accuracy, and I figured a barrel break in session would probably wear some on the bolt anyhow.
So I mounted the scope, a leica eri 2.5-10x42( that I purchased from eurooptic I love it but it will take time to see) using some dnz 2 piece rings I had on hand from another project. They are low mounts and at first the fit seemed perfect. I had a great cheek mount and my eye lined up perfect with the scope. The objective end is about 1/4 inch above the barrel and I was happy with the look. I then opened the bolt to slide it out so I could align my crosshairs with the bore. Thats when I realized unless I want my new scope to match my bolt I better go with some medium rings... That isn't the fault of Christensen arms... but the bolt throw is to long for the any big ocular ended scope, even my cheap zeiss conquest would probably hit... this still isn't a deal breaker for me as I am sure a set of talley rings may give me enough clearance it won't even matter. The low mounts I have now will function fine but over time the bolt handle would wear my scope and the fit may not be as good when I go to a higher ring.... so I am really hoping this isn't a deal breaker on my end....
where it matters. I loaded 10 rounds of ammo and bought 2 boxes to test to see what this gun likes and break in the barrel following the guidelines set forth by Christensen arms. so today over several hours I shot... cleaning was as easy as when I first opened the gun 3 patches and done then four or five once I got to the 5 round groups. gun never heated up as I spaced out my 5 shot groups to insure everything was staying consistent.
With my handholds using a 120 gr barnes ttsx I was getting .458 average with a best of .297 .... this makes me extremely pleased with my purchase... with my loads using a barnes 140r ttsx I was average .952 and best of .875 that makes me ok as I am sure I can dial that in some. With factory barnes in 140 it was around 2moa and with factory hornady 139gr sst it was around 1.5... if I wasn't a reloader this would have me wondering what I had done and what box off money to buy next. Im sure I could find a factory load that could get me under that magical 1moa for a shelf bought rifle with this gun but Im glad I don't have too. Testing with the muzzle brake on showed similar results in group but shifted the POI down a couple moa at 100yd
Overall I am please with this purchase the action is not the smoothest I own, but the gun looks and feels good in my hands ( besides the bolt looking worn and the bedding compound stuck to the barrel and action where I guess they didn't put enough release???)
I removed the trigger guard to adjust the trigger. I am very pleased with the feel of this trigger. On the site Christensen says 2.5-3.5 lbs on the trigger it says 1.5 -4 lbs ( I think???) and my gauge read 1.5 at lowest. I set it at just over 2 which is where I like my hunting rifles and it breaks crisp.
So to sum it up. Id buy this gun again. Sure there are great shooting, cheaper guns out there, and everyone in camp has one. If you want something different then this is a good one to look at imo.... I also own a barrett fieldcraft in 6.5creed and while its smoother and its flawless looking, both on what you can see and whats hidden, I have yet to find a load, hand or factory, that gets me below .875. I have friends that have. but the barrett is a little higher so...
This will be one ill keep!
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Glenn
June 14, 2020
Purchased this rifle instore from Euro Optic. Great place to shop by the way. That said, on to the rifle. This is what I would consider a perfect hunting rifle. It has just the right amount of weight by the time you add a scope (Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40) and Leupold Backcountry rings which you have to buy elsewhere but beat the Talley lightweight rings to pieces imo. The rifle is a pleasure to shoot and is just as good looking in the black and gray version. I am getting some great accuracy and velocity out of my Nosler 140g Accubonds. The Triggertech trigger is outstanding. The fit and finish is great. Only thing I would change is to flatten the fore end of the stock a smidge so it would be a little easier to stabilize at the range. I could have likely bought a Bergara B14 series that would have shot just as good for cheaper but I wanted a stainless barrel and action and cerakote finish as well as the Triggertech trigger. Overall just a great hunting rifle.
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Jeremy
April 3, 2019
Just purchased this gun, the accuracy is terrific with factory loads. I typically reload all my rifles, and will eventually do the same with this gun. But i’m getting 1 MOA or better out of this gun already using factory ammo. This is my second Christensen arms rifle and both shoot terrific! My 9 year daughter is able to shoot it very well and has no fear of recoal due to the muzzle break. She really likes shoot this gun and so do I. Fit and finish is terrific. I highly recommend these guns to anyone.
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Hez
August 8, 2022
Purchased in-store, mounted a Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44 with 1-piece Talley rings. Gun is for a youth, went out and shot factory Hornady Reduced recoil loads, 3-shot group was .6". Very confident we can get it to .25" with reloads (the cold bore shot was a tad wide, making it .6" the other two were .25"...again factory ammo).
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Joey
November 30, 2017
First I love euro optic they never let me down regardless of what I order, as little as I order.
I purchased this gun on a whelm sorta. I was looking for a 7mm08 but never planned to even look at this Mesa. Every where I turned online my searches lead me to this gun. I never read reviews on guns, typically because most of the time its someone complaining of accuracy. We all know how accuracy can be.. and I never write reviews unless I feel it may help and I can be honest.
My first impressions, as well as all the guys at my FFL, were outstanding. I liked the look, I loved the fit, and I liked the feel. So I accepted the gun did the paperwork and headed straight home.
Once I got home I ran some patches down the bore and was amazed it was as clean as it was. The second patch came out with little to nothing on it. Then I moved on to unpacking the bolt.
When I removed the bolt from the bubble wrap(yeah I didn't do it at the ffl shop) I was left scratching my head, because it looked used. Not the bolt face but the body of the bolt. The finish is "worn" looking for better lack. I had never bought a new gun and had parts that looked used before.
One of the packing items was a checklist. One item on the list was function of the bolt and I guess the tester really worked that sucker over. I thought about calling Christensen Arms and discussing why it looked that way and what if anything needed to be done. However, I decided it was not something that was important to me; after all, my main concern is accuracy, and I figured a barrel break in session would probably wear some on the bolt anyhow.
So I mounted the scope, a leica eri 2.5-10x42( that I purchased from eurooptic I love it but it will take time to see) using some dnz 2 piece rings I had on hand from another project. They are low mounts and at first the fit seemed perfect. I had a great cheek mount and my eye lined up perfect with the scope. The objective end is about 1/4 inch above the barrel and I was happy with the look. I then opened the bolt to slide it out so I could align my crosshairs with the bore. Thats when I realized unless I want my new scope to match my bolt I better go with some medium rings... That isn't the fault of Christensen arms... but the bolt throw is to long for the any big ocular ended scope, even my cheap zeiss conquest would probably hit... this still isn't a deal breaker for me as I am sure a set of talley rings may give me enough clearance it won't even matter. The low mounts I have now will function fine but over time the bolt handle would wear my scope and the fit may not be as good when I go to a higher ring.... so I am really hoping this isn't a deal breaker on my end....
where it matters. I loaded 10 rounds of ammo and bought 2 boxes to test to see what this gun likes and break in the barrel following the guidelines set forth by Christensen arms. so today over several hours I shot... cleaning was as easy as when I first opened the gun 3 patches and done then four or five once I got to the 5 round groups. gun never heated up as I spaced out my 5 shot groups to insure everything was staying consistent.
With my handholds using a 120 gr barnes ttsx I was getting .458 average with a best of .297 .... this makes me extremely pleased with my purchase... with my loads using a barnes 140r ttsx I was average .952 and best of .875 that makes me ok as I am sure I can dial that in some. With factory barnes in 140 it was around 2moa and with factory hornady 139gr sst it was around 1.5... if I wasn't a reloader this would have me wondering what I had done and what box off money to buy next. Im sure I could find a factory load that could get me under that magical 1moa for a shelf bought rifle with this gun but Im glad I don't have too. Testing with the muzzle brake on showed similar results in group but shifted the POI down a couple moa at 100yd
Overall I am please with this purchase the action is not the smoothest I own, but the gun looks and feels good in my hands ( besides the bolt looking worn and the bedding compound stuck to the barrel and action where I guess they didn't put enough release???)
I removed the trigger guard to adjust the trigger. I am very pleased with the feel of this trigger. On the site Christensen says 2.5-3.5 lbs on the trigger it says 1.5 -4 lbs ( I think???) and my gauge read 1.5 at lowest. I set it at just over 2 which is where I like my hunting rifles and it breaks crisp.
So to sum it up. Id buy this gun again. Sure there are great shooting, cheaper guns out there, and everyone in camp has one. If you want something different then this is a good one to look at imo.... I also own a barrett fieldcraft in 6.5creed and while its smoother and its flawless looking, both on what you can see and whats hidden, I have yet to find a load, hand or factory, that gets me below .875. I have friends that have. but the barrett is a little higher so...
This will be one ill keep!
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