Thoughts? Christiansen Arms Mesa vs Tikka T3X

If your rifle is squared away that’s mostly going to be an optics issue. If you’re just banging steel for fun that’s one thing. If you’re planning on doing some 1000 yards competition shooting then a target specific rifle might be in order.

In any case for your hunting needs a squared away rifle with a decent scope and dial will do what you need it to do.

I’d save yourself a lot of heartache and money and pass on any shot you’re not perfectly comfortable and confident of making. A gut shot elk or a three legged elk is usually a lost elk.

You and only you can determine what your range limitation is after lots of practice in field conditions from improvised positions in various weather conditions and especially wind of various angles and velocities.

My max effective range changes on a daily basis depending on the wind, shooting position/rest and weather.

Some days it’s 300 yards and some days I’ll stretch it out to 500+ yards.
I’m definitely not going to take shot that’ll just wound the animal. But from some of the brochures some shots can be over gullies and ridges, which you just don’t see here in the North East. Most distance I’ve ever took a deer with here was under 200 yards.

I am a pretty good shooter and confident in my ability. I shoot PRS from time to time. Not the best shot, but not the worst either. For that I have a Masterpiece Arms Precision Rifle for that.
 
For that purpose years ago I bought a Remington 700 SS BDL in 7 MM Mag. If I were doing it today I would probably go with another Tikka. I currently have a 7-08 Tikka T3. 300 Win Mag and 600 yards is a bit much for me but probably not for you. But what you have confidence in and enjoy. Sounds like a great adventure.
 
I’m definitely not going to take shot that’ll just wound the animal. But from some of the brochures some shots can be over gullies and ridges, which you just don’t see here in the North East. Most distance I’ve ever took a deer with here was under 200 yards.

I am a pretty good shooter and confident in my ability. I shoot PRS from time to time. Not the best shot, but not the worst either. For that I have a Masterpiece Arms Precision Rifle for that.
Sounds like you’ve got a solid basis for your shooting ability. One of the big things that people don’t get is when you’re dealing with canyons, ridges etc at range the wind is seldom constant in direction or velocity. Topography matters.

So for the most part when you see that critter cross canyon just because the wind is doing something where you are, across the canyon you don’t get to know. Which is why wind, for me is the number one variable range limiting factor given all other constants.

Oh and just MHO but I like fluted barrels. Especially on the T3, for no reason in particular I just think they look good.
 
I don't know of a single person that had an issue with a Christensen arms rifle. The Internet is full of a lot of hearsay.
Mine ain’t hearsay. I was directly involved in sending Christensen rifles back to Christensen to have them repaired for issues that never should have left the factory. Stuff like stripped action screws, a loose barrel, frayed CF barrels…stuff that should never get past QC, especially with a test fire.
 
Mine ain’t hearsay. I was directly involved in sending Christensen rifles back to Christensen to have them repaired for issues that never should have left the factory. Stuff like stripped action screws, a loose barrel, frayed CF barrels…stuff that should never get past QC, especially with a test fire.
Like I said, no one I know had an issue with one, that does not mean that people did not have issues . There is still too much hearsay on the internet.
 
Like I said, no one I know had an issue with one, that does not mean that people did not have issues . There is still too much hearsay on the internet.
The “hearsay” exists for a reason. Christensen, when they execute correctly, produces some fine rifles. The problem is, their QC and customer service were absolute trash for a few years. There are also new players in the game who do it better these days.
 
The “hearsay” exists for a reason. Christensen, when they execute correctly, produces some fine rifles. The problem is, their QC and customer service were absolute trash for a few years. There are also new players in the game who do it better these days.
Probably why a lot of dealers in a 100 mile radius of me have stopped selling them or handle very few of them. Too Bad
 
I think this should be separated into two separate rifle purchases. If you want a Lightweight 300WM for hunting that you will shoot very little, that's a decent idea.
Then you need a heavier rifle for Long Range Shooting. That one, if just punching paper, can be any number of lighter recoiling cartridges that car reach way out there.

I've never even held a Christianson, but have noting but good things to say about my Tikka.
 
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