Christensen Arms Carbon Fiber 18" .308?

[CANNONMAN]

I found this Christensen Arms carbon fiber 18" for an AR .308 for $645. These seems reasonable. What do you folks think? Does carbon fiber do better as a cooling agent then help with accuracy? Is 18" sufficient to hit 1,000 yds? If used in hunting is this a brittle problem? I think $600 ish is going to be the max for the barrel, block and tube.

 

[taliv]

IMHO Christiansen is kinda like the kimber of rifles. Expensive and not horrible but nowhere near worth what you pay for it. However at $600 it’s prob a good deal.

Christiansen cf is not proof research but I ran a cf 11” bbl on a full auto ar15 for several years. I can tell you it cools off quick but I never tested the temp. Just going by how long before you can touch the bbl.
Lots of people run proof cf on precision rifles in prs and it works great but idk anyone who uses Christiansen. So I can say cf doesn’t seem to hurt precision if done properly.

18” is enough for 1000 yard if your targets are very very big.

I haven’t heard any problems with cold weather. Otherwise no clue how hunting would differ or make it brittle.

 

[CANNONMAN]

Thanks taliv. I've always respected your input and how you moderate. You Sir are a great resource.

 

[LoonWulf]

IMHO Christiansen is kinda like the kimber of rifles. Expensive and not horrible but nowhere near worth what you pay for it. However at $600 it’s prob a good deal.

Christiansen cf is not proof research but I ran a cf 11” bbl on a full auto ar15 for several years. I can tell you it cools off quick but I never tested the temp. Just going by how long before you can touch the bbl.
Lots of people run proof cf on precision rifles in prs and it works great but idk anyone who uses Christiansen. So I can say cf doesn’t seem to hurt precision if done properly.

18” is enough for 1000 yard if your targets are very very big.

I haven’t heard any problems with cold weather. Otherwise no clue how hunting would differ or make it brittle.

I respectfully disagree, I think both the Christensens and Kimbers offer something of a compromise in terms of cost, performance, and weight.

A full custom can be lighter, and more accurate, but even doing all the work myself I'd have spent 2500+ to get the same level of components (plus a defiant action) as the Ridgeline I bought for 1700. I could have purchased a lighter Kimber Montana for 11-1200.
They are also available in a much wider cartridge list than most other semicustom/high end production rifles.

that doesn't mean I think they are the right answer for every question (especially accuracy vs cost), or that I'd buy the barrels as components for every build. But used within their limitation I think they are worth the cost.

I've found MY Ridgeline barrel to be accurate, and very easy to load for. I'd happily use one of those AR barrels in a gun a specifically wanted to move weight back, or a heavy barrel look without the weight.
I'd also happily use a Proof for the same reason. I should note that the only Proof barrel I've personally shot did not do as well as the factory take off with the rounds my buddy had on hand.

We're I specifically looking for accuracy with weight/balance a second priority, I'd opt for a top tier all steel barrel from a reputable manufacturer.
it would probably cost less and either equal or better a Proof or Christensen.

 

[taliv]

you might be surprised but proof is considered a top tier barrel. the ones used in prs are almost exclusively the stainless ones and not the carbon fiber wrapped ones just cause they go through a lot of barrels and the cf ones are expensive.

 

[LoonWulf]

View attachment 858077
you might be surprised but proof is considered a top tier barrel. the ones used in prs are almost exclusively the stainless ones and not the carbon fiber wrapped ones just cause they go through a lot of barrels and the cf ones are expensive.

Not surprised at all, everything I've read about Proof barrels has been positive. My only experience is with one prefit Savage, and which isn't a great way to measure any barrels quality as there are a number of factors that can come into play with a home install.

my last sentence, should probably of my previous post should probably have read
"it would probably cost less and equal or better a CARBON Proof, or Christensen barrel"
Both companies do make regular stainless barrels that are hundreds less than their carbon options.

My point was simply that for the cost a carbon wrapped tube has lower accuracy to cost value than a traditional all metal barrel. In my mind they require a specific REASON to be used. Which is primarily weight/balance imo.

Heavy guns are also easier to shoot. I've posted pictures of the groups my Christensen will shoot, and it's consistently a sub moa rifle, which are about as good as I can produce. My 12lb Ruger American in 6.5CM was probably no more consistent than my Ridgeline, but the extra 3.5lbs made it easier to shoot, and I could consistently shoot smaller groups faster and with less effort......course 20 rounds thru the tube and that one would be hot enough to burn you.

So again if nothing else is driving a build I think the carbon tubes, be they Proof, Christensen, or any of the others, are less desireable (again IMO) to regular steel.


My point with about Kimbers and Christensens was much the same. Accuracy wise you wont get a lot extra buying either make of rifle. But you can generally be assured of decent accuracy at least.
I'm also ignoring the traditional Mesa rifles, as I've handled but never shot one...I'll probably be picking up a Messa in 6.5 in the near future.
Where both rifles earn value points is that they weigh significantly less than anything in their price range with similar features. They are also a decent collection of parts for the cost.
Within the realm of wanting a very light rifle, Kimbers about tops in terms of value.
I'm not sure where the Christensens fit in to the heavy barrel sporter weight game yet, as a bunch of new ones popped out recently, and there are a lot of proof barrels guns available. Everything I've seen with similar specs tho are hundreds to thousands more.

 

[Trey Veston]

My brother just picked up a Ridgeline in 6.5 PRC and he was getting 1/2" groups at 300yds with off the shelf ammo. He's extremely impressed with the rifle.