Does anybody have any experience with them? Own any of their guns? I am looking into getting one and need some opinions and experience. I am looking at their Carbon Hunter model I believe they run about $1500. If anybody knows of other companys that can put together a lightweight synthetic rifle for around the same price let me know who they are. Thanks

I had one of their .22s built on the 10-22 frame...very accurate and easy to carry but I could never get the hang of shooting...just to muzzle light. I shot a few of their Carbon Cannons and they are also very, very accurate but still think they are muzzle light. The two rifles I shot both had detachable muzzle brakes and were much more accurate with the brakes off than they were with the brakes on.

Thanks DB Bill, I appreciate your response. That's exactly what I need. Anyone else?

I have been to the factory and know them pretty well. I have shot one of their .223 Carbon 1 Custom quite a bit. They are very accurate. I just cannot go crazy over their weight, they are almost too light.

Great thank you Alekojjensen, I appriciate your response. Thanks

Boman:

Why are you considering this rifle? Is it for the light weight? or the benefits of the carbon wrap (accuracy??)

Since the model you speak of is a factory barrel wrapped in carbon, you won't save any weight over the stock rifle. There are dozens of models that you could buy that will weigh between 6-7 lbs, so there is no reason to go to expense of buying the Christensen for reasons of weight.

There may however be an accuracy advantage to the carbon wrapping (I've no idea). However, there are a number of rifle tuners who will work over a rifle for you and should be able to get any kind of accuracy that you could reasonably want for a hunting rifle (3/4 moa or better?).

So....I'd suggest that you buy a factory rifle in the weight and caliber that you want and spend some time shooting it. If the accuracy is not what you hoped for, then, go to a rifle tuner and for about $300 or so, you should have whatever accuracy you want.

I'm a big fan of light rifles, and most of mine weigh less than 6 1/2 scoped. The Christiensen is just not very light by todays standards.

Jim

Jimf,

Well you had to go and ask huh.. just kidding. I guess I'd have to say that I really do like the lightweight aspect of the gun but I think I like the accuracy part a little bit better.. So the answer is both. I think Christensen says their guns weigh between 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 pounds. That is pretty light. what kind of gun do you have that is 6 1/2 scoped? also can I get it for around $1500.00. I guess thats my dilema. I could definately buy a lightweight gun for around the same price but like you said I would probably have to have a gunsmith go through it to accurize it because lightweight guns generally have thin, wippy barrels which is what I don't want.. Am I making sense or just rambling? I'm sure you or someone out there know better than I do. Any suggestions? Thanks for the help and keep it coming

Boman - I just purchased a remington titanium 700 in 30-06; it appears to be well made and has what I think is good balance - I took it apart and cleaned it, had a local 'smith tune the action and work over the trigger (no, have not fired a round yet) - will mount a scope (Leupold 3x9 compact) this weekend and begin breaking in the barrel - I purchased for a black bear/sheep/goat/sitka black tail deer rifle - I too wanted a lighter rifle yet didn't want to spend the big $ (got this for well under 950 from a ffl friend) - with scope, mounts, 'smith tuning will have approximately $1500 total with an estimated weight of under 7 pound to include a sling and five cartridges - should work for the intended tasks - has anyone else had any experience with this rifle?

Hey Boman;

You are confusing two different models from Christensen. The "Hunter" which is $1500 is a factory bbl. wrapped in Kevlar and restocked. They say the weight is between 6-7 lbs. Depending largely on what you start with I suppose. The "Custom" CAN be the 5 1/2 or so weight you are looking for but they are about $3000 (I think)

So....lots of ways to go here. You haven't mentioned caliber so I don't know if you are talking say 30-06 or maybe a 7-08, or do you want a light magnum?? Also, I don't know for sure how light you want it to be, so here's an example for the heck of it.

As the previous poster mentioned, start with a Remington Titanium, 5 lb 5 oz. (mine is a 7-08). About $900 from a number of online sources. Replace the steel factory bolt shroud, cocking piece, and trigger guard w/aluminum parts. Easy do it yourself job, $40 or so for the parts. This will save about 3.5-4 oz. So you have your gun @ close to 5 lb. bare.

Have an accuracy treatment done by someone who makes their living at it, not by a local smith. Hill Country Rifle co. is one such outfit. (Not an endorsement just a referral)

Then come back and add Leo. 2X7 or 3X9 compact (9 oz.), a "Weaver" style base, (recommend B square, 1 oz.) and a set of Burris "zee" rings (3 oz.)

You'll end with a rifle that weighs about 5 3/4-6 lbs. (Scoped) For about $1550-$1600 (including scope) and it will probably shoot under 1 MOA. (Hill Country says 1/2 MOA, but I'd use some salt there)

Sorry for the long winded answer, heck!! it's just an Idea. (Gun projects are so much fun...)

JimF

JimF - where would I find these aluminum replacement parts ? Also, will this eliminate the factory "bolt lock" system on this rifle ? I would be very disappointed if this bolt lock failed in some fashion and rendered the rifle useless and seek information on getting rid of it - thanks

Boman....just ran across this site which I think you will find interesting.

www.carbonbarrels.com

I have shot a couple of christensen arms rifles. One was a 22-250 which would shoot dime groups all day. The other was a 300 ultra, which had trouble shooting MOA.
I would recommend finding a rifle that is a shooter, and then having them cut down and carbon wrap that barrel.

KmuleinAk:

Alloy Rem ADL trigger guard from e-gunparts.com (the old Numrich co.)

Kodiak aluminum bolt shroud from Brownells (pricey)

Taylor bolt shroud & cocking piece from Midway (less expensive but I haven't tried 'em yet)

On my current Rem Ti, when I replaced the shroud, the "J" lock went away, never to be seen again.

Hope this helps.

Thank you to everyone that has posted. Sorry it took me a while to get back. I will check out those sites.

Jimf, Thanks for your help. The caliber I am considering is a .300RUM or a Lazz Warbird, At first I was actully looking at the .270 WSM or the .270 Weatherby. Maybe you could give me some pointers. I am going to get both a .270 and a fast .30. I want them both to be light. But I can only spend lots on one of them. I was thinking of getting a Browning A bolt in .270WSM and a fast .30 in a custom or semi custom job. What would you do? Thanks to you and everyone who has helped.

If you are going to get a Warbird you should realize you are probably going to have an accurate barrel life of 800-1000 rounds max. If you are going to use it to hunt with only you will be in good shape....if you are going to make it a "range-rifle" you will be spending a lot of money to get it rebarreled.

DB Bill, You have a very good point. I guess that is why I was looking at the Christensen arms model. They say they can add up to a 1000 rounds of life in a barrel... Plus it will be mainly a hunting rifle. But I would be shooting at lease a hundred rounds through it a year min. So that is somthing to consider. Thanks

If you want a really light weight rifle that is superb look at rifle inc. they have a light weight rifle in the 5 lb range....

Hi Boman:

Now we're getting somewhere. First, take a look at some numbers. These are calculated recoil numbers for calibers that we all know, using standard loads, and normal retail gun weights.(8lb=std cal, 9lb=magnums, 10lb=416) the number is recoil in ft/lb.

270win/20 30-06/23 300win/31 300ultra/41 375H&H/43 416Rem/53

Now here are some numbers for some of the same calibers in light guns, (6lb=std cal, 7 lb=mags)

270win/26 30-06/31 300win/39 300ultra/53 (yikes)

So you asked what I'd do.

I'd spend the dough on a nice, really light std .270 win. because I think you'll use and shoot it all the time. Then I'd approach the subject of a light 300 very carefully.

Personally, I'd avoid the 300 ultra or the lazz in favor of a 300 winnie. There are no 300 mags in production rifles that will get you into a finished gun for less than 9lb (scoped).

Actually, I'd probably do this....Go for a 300 short magnum of whatever flavor you like. Go with the light scope and mount set-up that I mentioned before, and you'll have plenty of ballistics, in about a 7 1/2 lb. gun (scoped) and the recoil, though stout, won't knock you into next week. Then, in a few years when you are used to the recoil, and funds are looser, you can restock with a kevlar stock and you've got a 6 1/2 lb. 300 mag.

300 WSM 180@2950 in a 7.5 rifle = 32 ft/lbs

I've done the muzzle brake thing, never again!! (I can't hear you!!)

Sorry again for the long reply...hope it helps.

Jim

Ok Ok, now we are getting somewhere.. Well I will take a look at the ballistics tables and see what I like. I'm thinking the .270 calibers might be the ticket instead of a .30... Thanks for your help. you have really opened my eyes.. seriously. Thank you very much. I appreciate all your help.

Boman - have you decided what you will buy?

KmuleinAK,

No I haven't decided yet. I got a line on a used Christensen that I will look into. Also I found a great deal on a new 7mm mag in browning a bolt. I would have it rechambered to 7 stw. That's where I'm at now. but who knows. Thanks for asking.

Boman, I have a Browning A-bolt in 7mm Rem Mag that I am amazed with. It will put 5 shots thru a dime sized hole @ 100yds and a quarter sized hole @ 200yds all day long. BUT!! It would NOT do it with factory ammo. I was just about to get rid of it when a buddy suggested I try some reloads in it. I now "roll my own" for all my rifles. Only way to go for accuracy.
It is now my "go to" rifle for almost everything I hunt.
I should add that I had the trigger reworked($55.00) and added a vais brake($140.00 installed) The best $140.00 I've ever spent. Its like shooting a 243 now with absolutly no muzzle lift.
Sorry for babbling, but I like my A-bolt.

Nutoy,

Thanks for the info. That is some pretty impressive accuracy. what grain and bullets are you shooting? Yeah I like the browings and for the most part I've had ok luck with them. The one I am looking at has a boss on it already which is fine. I do like the boss for the accuracy part of it. My brother had a .300 win mag with a boss and it kicked like a .243 it was a pleasure to shoot. I know muzzlebrakes are evil but they seem to work for us huh.. thanks again for the info and good hunting.