Christensen elr; seekins havak ph1 or bravo; fierce edge

[c wehrle]

Looking to buy one of the above in 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC Mainly just for shooting 500 - 1000 yds. Don't want to go full custom route. Would like to hear first hand experience with any of these rifles. Have experience shooting to 500 yds. I do reload. Have also considered Tikka t3x CTR and Bergara HMR 14 but not sure they are equal to the above mentioned? Thanks

 

[Rflamm250]

A friend of mine ( new to long range shooting) recently bought a Christensen Mesa LR in 6.5 creedmoor. It shoots factory 143ELDX .5 moa out to 800. We have shot it to 1000yrds a couple times and it does pretty good. He is getting almost no vertical difference but quite a bit of horizontal at 1000. Not sure if its the rifle, ammo or him. It could use a bedding job. Other than that its holding its own with some much more expensive rifles with hand loads.

 

[okie man]

I have a Mesa long range in 6.5 Creedmoor ! it's not even broke in and it's shooting 1/2 moa groups with in the first 5 handloads ive run through it. I shot 5 rounds, each with a half grain more powder than the previous and it shot a little over moa! I'm gonna try a seating depth test with 41.5 grains of h-4350 too see if I find anything better than the first depth I chose for break in and probably call it good! Don't get much easier than that!

 

[Varminator 911]

You should also consider Brownings X bolt offerings. Roughly $1200-2200 and fast twist barrels on most of them. The 6.5 PRC is a 7 twist in many of their offerings. That would be my choice for shooting the 150 gn and heavier bullets or longer mono metals.

https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/x-bolt/current-production.html

I'm very tempted to buy the X-Bolt Max long range in 6.5 PRC with a 7 twist and MSRP of $1300. A little heavy at 8lb 3oz is all that holds me back.

https://www.browning.com/products/f...t-production/xbolt-max-long-range-hunter.html

 

[LongBomber]

I have a christensen ba tac and a fierce edge ti. Both are accurate rifles, the edge being more of a traditional hunting rifle pattern. The edge is likely a bit more accurate, but both are easily 1/2moa rifles. Fierce has a bit better rep for consistently accurate rifles, you do hear of a few issues on the Christensen rifles although mine is prety flawless.

The action on the fierce has much tighter tollerances and no bolt slop, the christensen just doesn't have that tight smooth bank vault feeling.

 

[brentc]

Not exactly what you're looking at, but I have a Ridgeline and MPR in the PRC. Both hover around 1/2 MOA with several groups in the .2s and. 3s. That said, I have a Seekins Havak in 6.5 Creedmoor that is one of the most consistent rifles I own. There is no hovering, it always prints 4 and 5 shot groups into .3 MOA clusters with minimal reloading effort.

 

[Dirtscoots]

I'm also interested. Originally was interested in CA now I'm leaning towards tikka mostly for price. I'll definitely be following this post

 

[Rick Rooney]

Which of these actions is the smoothest. My Sako's and Tikka's are some of the smoothest I know. Fierce us based on the Sako. Any help here would be great. Thanks

 

[Bigeclipse]

I have a christensen ba tac and a fierce edge ti. Both are accurate rifles, the edge being more of a traditional hunting rifle pattern. The edge is likely a bit more accurate, but both are easily 1/2moa rifles. Fierce has a bit better rep for consistently accurate rifles, you do hear of a few issues on the Christensen rifles although mine is prety flawless.

The action on the fierce has much tighter tollerances and no bolt slop, the christensen just doesn't have that tight smooth bank vault feeling.

I will echo this but in a good way. I recently purchased a Christensen Arms Mesa. The rifle is simply amazing for how much gun you get and how much it costs ~1100-1200$. The only negative I have is Longbomber is correct that there is a little bit of bolt slop when the action is open but is nice and snug when closed and this in no way hinders the accuracy. Mine shoots .5-.6MOA groups with factory ammo in 6.5prc and so I have not bothered with reloads yet. I haven't even tried the other factory offering yet. Yes Christensen Arms has sold a couple lemons to people but so has every manufacturer. If you search you will find issues on fierce rifles as well. Christensen Arms customer service has been very good with these issues (up to a point). They will not fix a sloppy bolt issue unless it is a safety concern or hindering the performance of the rifle. That being said they WILL make sure your rifle hits sub 1 MOA. Most people have been reporting much better than that. Would I spend 2000$ on one of Christensen arms upper end rifles....eh probably not as there are some other companies to look at in that price range but would I buy another Mesa or Mesa LR again in the 1300$ and under range, yes sir! As for which Caliber. I love the 6.5prc so far BUT it is likely a barrel burner....especially compared to 6.5cm so if you are only banging steel to the ranges you suggest id just go with the 6.5cm for barrel life and factory ammo options.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Which of these actions is the smoothest. My Sako's and Tikka's are some of the smoothest I know. Fierce us based on the Sako. Any help here would be great. Thanks

Fierce is likely smoother. I have a Christensen arms Mesa and while it is an amazing shooter so far, the action is definitely a bit sloppy. Why do people really care about that unless it is hindering performance though? Does it hinder a followup shot on a critter? NOPE. So why does it truly matter? That being said, the Fierce rifles look pretty dang nice!

 

[cajun]

I hear guys talk about " bolt slop" when the bolt is open or manipulating the bolt. What matters is that the bolt head, barrel are in perfect alignment and the lugs are making full contact when the bolt is closed.

 

[Jluck]

If bolt slop is your issue, There is none more smooth and tight than Steyr Prohunter/scout/SBS based rifles. I HATE sloppy bolts too BTW and I just bought a Christensen ELR.. Well see....


Oh, and welcome to the forum and thread archeology.

 

[Rick Rooney]

I have a Steyr safebolt. When it is dry it is pretty smooth. If there is any oil on it, it's not quite as smooth. My smoothest action are Sako's, Cooper's and Tikka's. I'd like to support the guys building rifles in the US (or partially in Canada in Fierce's case). The smoothness of the action isn't that important unless you are firing rapid follow up rifle shots like the driven hunts in Europe but it's just one of those things that makes me feel good when I'm handling it. Weatherby Mk V's are usually pretty smooth and certainly solid too.

 

[Jgill19]

I was looking at CA Ridgeline, shot my buddys. Instantly noticed the bolt, you had to fight it a tad as it was wanting to bind, bolt lift wasn't exceptional either. Did it hurt the functionality, probably not. I did like the stock, ultimately though, just couldn't see spending that kind of money and not being completely satisfied with it.