Christensen Arms

Christensen Arms makes lightweight carbon fiber hunting rifles for guys who pack into the mountains. Started in Utah back in the '90s when the founder figured out that hunters carry their rifles 95% of the time and shoot them 5% of the time -- so why not make them lighter?

The company pioneered wrapping steel barrel liners with carbon fiber. You get a barrel that weighs half as much as steel but still shoots sub-MOA. Their lightest rifles hit the scales at 5 pounds in centerfire calibers, which is damn impressive.

Here's the catch: Christensen has a quality control problem. When their rifles are right, they're outstanding mountain hunting tools. When they're wrong, you're dealing with warranty returns on a $2,000+ rifle. More on that later.

Hunters carry their rifles 95% of the time and shoot them 5% of the time -- so why not make them lighter?

The Mesa uses a steel barrel with their carbon fiber stock -- gets you into the Christensen ecosystem for about $1,100. Still lighter than most hunting rifles.

FFT stands for Flash Forged Technology -- their carbon fiber stock molding process.

The Ridgeline FFT is their flagship: 5 pounds in 6.5 Creedmoor with a carbon-wrapped barrel. That's stupid light for a centerfire rifle.

Want an ultralight magnum? The Traverse FFT handles 7mm Rem Mag and .300 Win Mag at the same sub-5.5-pound weights. Fair warning though -- a 5-pound rifle in .300 Winchester Magnum will beat the hell out of you without a good muzzle brake.

Christensen takes a steel barrel liner -- that's where the bore and rifling are -- and wraps it in carbon fiber composite. The steel does the actual shooting; the carbon fiber handles the structure and heat dissipation.

Carbon barrel construction: steel liner provides accuracy, carbon wrap reduces weight

You save 40-60% of the weight versus an equivalent steel barrel profile. A hunting-weight steel barrel might run 2.5 pounds; the carbon version comes in around 1.2 pounds. That weight savings is all in your hands when you're packing at 10,000 feet.

The carbon fiber also acts as a heat sink differently than steel. It dissipates heat faster in some ways, which can help with accuracy during longer strings of fire.

But here's the trade-off: carbon barrels don't last as long with hot magnum loads. The heat eventually breaks down the carbon matrix.

At $2,000+, a rifle should work perfectly out of the box. The QC inconsistency is unusual at this price point.

Christensen has inconsistent quality control that's unusual at this price point. Some rifles ship perfect and shoot lights-out. Others arrive with accuracy problems, cosmetic defects, or fit issues.

This isn't internet rumor -- it's documented across hunting forums, gun store experiences, and customer reviews. The problem seems to be production consistency rather than design flaws. When Christensen gets it right, the rifles are excellent.

• •What this means for you: Buy from a dealer with a solid return policy. Test your rifle's accuracy thoroughly before you head into the backcountry with it. Don't assume it'll shoot sub-MOA out of the box just because that's the guarantee.

The ultralight hunting rifle market has gotten competitive. Christensen pioneered it, but they're not alone anymore.

Competitive landscape: Christensen leads on weight, competitors excel in quality control

Proof Research Elevation -- 5.8 lbs, $3,200. Heavier than the Ridgeline FFT but better quality control reputation. Costs $1,000 more.

Bergara Ridge Carbon Wilderness -- 6.2 lbs, $1,400. Heavier but proven quality and cheaper. Bergara's QC is solid.

Weatherby Mark V Backcountry -- 5.5 lbs, $2,400. Guaranteed sub-MOA with better warranty support than Christensen.

Fierce Carbon Fury -- 5.3 lbs, $2,000. Growing competitor in the same weight class. Fewer reports of QC issues.

Christensen still makes the lightest production hunting rifles you can buy. The Ridgeline FFT at 5.0 pounds is hard to beat. But you're rolling the dice on QC, and that's frustrating at $2,200.

Ultralight rifles sound great until you actually shoot them. A 5-pound rifle in .300 PRC will rearrange your dental work without a muzzle brake. Even with a brake, follow-up shots are tough because the rifle jumps around.

Most guys are better off with a 6-7 pound rifle that they can actually shoot well. The extra pound matters less when carrying than when shooting.

Most guys are better off with a 6-7 pound rifle that they can actually shoot well. The extra pound matters less than you think when you're carrying it, but it matters a lot when you're trying to make an ethical shot on game.

Budget for a quality muzzle brake if you're going ultralight with magnum calibers. It's not optional.

• •For most mountain hunters: Mesa FFT in 6.5 Creedmoor - 5.3 pounds, carbon barrel, $1,600
• •If weight is everything: Ridgeline FFT - 5.0 pounds, lightest production centerfire, $2,200
• •Budget entry: Regular Mesa with steel barrel - 6.5 pounds, $1,100 entry point
• •Don't want to gamble: Bergara carbon rifles or Proof Research Elevation - better QC, higher cost or weight

Christensen Arms had a great idea and executed it well initially. Carbon-wrapped barrels make sense for mountain hunting, and their ultralight rifles really are impressively light.

But the QC issues are real and they hurt the brand's reputation. At $2,000+, a rifle should work perfectly out of the box. Too many Christensen owners have stories about returns, warranty work, and customer service runarounds.

If you buy one, buy it from a dealer who'll take care of you if there are problems. Test it thoroughly before you depend on it. And budget for a muzzle brake if you're going ultralight in a magnum chambering.

The Ridgeline FFT is still the lightest production hunting rifle you can buy. That counts for something when you're 10 miles from the truck. Just know what you're getting into.

• •Proof Research barrels and rifles
• •Bergara carbon hunting rifles
• •Ultralight hunting rifle comparison
• •Mountain hunting gear selection