christensen ranger .22

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Peakbagger46

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Read a ton of reviews (some good some ugly) on this little guy. Handled one and REALLY liked it. Got $700 in Cabelas points so I think I may take a chance on it. Anyone have any first hand experience?

Looking at getting a suppressor soon and the lightweight/short barrel of the Ranger is really appealing.
 
I wouldn’t get one because I don’t like the extractor design (similar to my Savage FVSR I had issues with) and I’ve heard people have had problems with extraction on the net reviews which doesn’t surprise me. This would especially be the case with a suppressor as the back pressure dirties the bolt quicker causing extraction issues quicker causing one to have to clean or re-tension the c-clip spring to get it to extract again.

My Savage was very frustrating so I sold it which was a bummer because it was scary accurate.

With the money I got from it I was in between the Ranger and the Bergara BMR Carbon 22 and once I saw the extractor on the Ranger I wrote that off.

I ended up with a Bergara BMR carbon 22. It is a very nicely put together rifle with a carbon threaded barrel it is very nice to shoot and carry. We will see if it ends up being as accurate as my Savage once I get 500 rounds or more down the tube and find what it likes.

https://www.bergara.online/us/rifles/rimfire/bmr-carbon-rifle/
 
I like mine, accuracy and function have been very good.
If I have any complaints its that the action is very mechanical, like a short shifter, and the guns really bloody light.
The trigger that comes on them is a Trigger Tech Field, which dosent adjust down as low as id like for a gun that comes in under 6lbs scopped and with a stainless brake on it, but like the other TriggerTechs if feels great.


Im looking forward to trying a BMR as well eventually, as they are direct competitors.

IMO IF you like the way the Ranger feels, I really doubt youll have much issue with one of the newer production guns, Christensen made some changes after release that seems to have improved the function noticeably. Actually the Ranger deals fine with every round ive put thru it, but my 457 will regularly leave brass from specific round stuck in the chamber....It DOES carry a LW barrel tho with a match chamber.
 
Burris and Rangers seem to go well together, i have a 4.5-14x32 timberline on mine lol.

I like your green stock alot better than my black one also.

Ive found that i need to hold the thing pretty tight to get good consistent accuracy off thr bench. Otherwise i usually get a nice group for a few rounds then toss one out.
 
Burris and Rangers seem to go well together, i have a 4.5-14x32 timberline on mine lol.

I like your green stock alot better than my black one also.

Ive found that i need to hold the thing pretty tight to get good consistent accuracy off thr bench. Otherwise i usually get a nice group for a few rounds then toss one out.

I know .22’s are individuals as far as ammo preference but what does yours like? I plan on blasting through some Federal bulk first to settle the barrel in and then trying some better stuff I have on hand.

This thing should be the ultimate rough country grouse gun AND my ten year old is in love with it too!
 
The higher end ammo has shot better than cheaper so far, but nothings been bad. Even the hypers hold 1" or so at 50yds.
Best ammo in mine has been Eley Club, and Federal GMM. On the cheaper side it liked Aguila and CCI standards, and blue box Federals better than Mini-mags, or the Aguila high velocity and all the hyper stuff.
Ive have some bulk pack remington stuff to try still.
 
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The higher end ammo has shot better than cheaper so far, but nothings been bad. Even the hypers hold 1" or so at 50yds.
Best ammo in mine has been Eley Club, and Federal GMM. On the cheaper side it liked Aguila and CCI standards, and blue box Federals better than Mini-mags, or the Aguila high velocity and all the hyper stuff.
Ive have some bulk pack remington stuff to try still.
Excellent, thank you! Good luck with the Remington bulk lol.
 
Well amazingly enough all the golden bullets I loaded into the guns today fired and the cases left with no issues...... Accuracy was 2-3moa at 100yds, with my first groups being a little worse due to shooter inconsistency. Im confident that last group is about as good as this gun will do with RGBs

1st PXL_20220913_231537522.jpg


Second
PXL_20220913_231539842.jpg

Third PXL_20220913_231543242.jpg
 
She runs like a champ, zero ejection problems. Love the stock and trigger! Hoping to find a more accurate load but the CCI HP subsonics will do nicely for cottontail and grouse.

64F8FC33-E01D-493D-A2FA-06E3F6CBD24E.jpeg
 

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I like mine, accuracy and function have been very good.
If I have any complaints its that the action is very mechanical, like a short shifter, and the guns really bloody light.
The trigger that comes on them is a Trigger Tech Field, which dosent adjust down as low as id like for a gun that comes in under 6lbs scopped and with a stainless brake on it, but like the other TriggerTechs if feels great.


Im looking forward to trying a BMR as well eventually, as they are direct competitors.

IMO IF you like the way the Ranger feels, I really doubt youll have much issue with one of the newer production guns, Christensen made some changes after release that seems to have improved the function noticeably. Actually the Ranger deals fine with every round ive put thru it, but my 457 will regularly leave brass from specific round stuck in the chamber....It DOES carry a LW barrel tho with a match chamber.
FYI...A friend of mine has a BMR in 17HMR and says it is "very accurate". He has dozens of high end rifles and shoots lots of prairie dogs and other pest varmints, so I trust his report. I have a BXR and a a new B-14R 17HMR. The BXR is excellent and the B-14R is looking to be the same once it's broken in.
 
Took her out again today (day off). I was going to do some more load testing but decided to work on practical shooting as pronghorn/mulie seasons are coming up quickly.

Below is about average for the day for ten rounds at 50y standing at 50y at a 3X5” index card with CCI SV (modestly pleased but I need more practice) Zero reliability issues.

Having lots of fun!

6D324910-83E9-496C-AE3F-CABD902774C7.jpeg
 
Unrested standing shooting will humble many a shooter. That’ll be a great training tool for you. And reminds me I need to get out and do some unrested practice as well as I too have a pronghorn and white tail hunt coming up.
 
Got to go out again today before the rain moved in. Apparently she likes expensive stuff. Also did a lot of offhand and kneeling work.
FE07C387-F3D0-486C-B8F3-C60D4EE42133.jpeg
 
Very Nice groups. Makes me happy about my CZ 452 though. I posted 50 yard groups in the prove it thread. Today i measured the group from the fun shoot I had with my friends guns. All 3 CZ's were under 3/8 at 50 yards. The Cooper was a little smaller.
 
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