Fierce or Christensen Arms?

[RugerHawg413]

My hunting buddy has a CA in .300WM (Ridgeline I think). Couldn't get it to feed in the dark with more than 1 shell in. Not sure what the issue was but he is experienced with firearms, he likes the rifle other than that issue as far as I know.

Another hunting buddy has Fierce (Fury IIRC) in .338 Lapua and I was considering Fierce and asked him if he would buy another Fierce and his response was "I don't think so." It's a very large caliber for the size of the rifle IMO, but he thinks it's too inconsistent and he handloads.

My advice with all firearms is after you read everything on the internet go handle them in person and go with what you like best.

I would also suggest considering Sako, depending on your pricepoint. Eurooptic has quite a few left hand models I believe.

Understood. Thank you for the info and sharing your experience with both rifles.

Thanks again,
Daniel

 

[Chingon]

My Fierce Reaper was so bad Cabela's bought it back for a full refund. And they DO NOT allow returns on rifles. Fierce CS was a joke. Read my thread and the other half dozen on Rokslide. Fierce is about the trashiest company on the planet.

FWIW my local gunsmith said they fix more CA rifles than any other brand. I was there trying to get them to fix my Bergarbage.

Just go Tikka. I'm about 8 Tikkas deep since my fiascos with Farce and Bergarbage without a single issue. They just flat shoot. Plenty of aftermarket.

 

[WildWill]

I bought a CA mesa in 300 win mag this January. I was aware of some of the quality control issues people had been experiencing and that getting a lemon was a real possibility. Fortunately my gun has shot everything sub moa with the exception of some 220gr hand loads and more like 1/2in moa with 180/200gr bullets. The bolt is a bit stiff and has had problems seating a handful of hand loads but seems to be loosening up a bit. My only experience with a Fierce is holding one at the gun shop and it just didn't feel right in my hands or on my shoulder so that was the end of that.

 

[kiwi hunter]

Winchester make left hand also according to google. Why I endorse Winchester is because they have the best trigger system, self adjustable down to whatever your heart(or finger) desires. There is a reason why competition shooters use a light letoff.
All my good shooters are at around 1lb.

 

[brockel]

Not the brand you asked about but I’d grab a tikka. You could shoot 3 barrels out on the tikka for the price of the fierce and 2 barrels for the price of the Christensen. And odds are the tikka is going to shoot better, have a smoother action, and better trigger

 

[Spedray]

I have a fierce titanium edge, in 7mm rem mag. It has a 1 in 8 twist for the heavies, a extended magazine and long throat. This is a rifle made in Canada by someone else based on a sako action. I have nothing but good things to say about it. Everything I feed it shoots great and almost to the same Point of impact. I have heard a lot of bad things about CS but haven't had any interactions. Would I buy again. Probably if I could find another edge model.

 

[Slam]

You don't specify why you are interested in the 2 brands mentioned, however, I think the 15 minutes invested in this video worthwhile.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I have a fierce titanium edge, in 7mm rem mag. It has a 1 in 8 twist for the heavies, an extended magazine and long throat. This is a rifle made in Canada by someone else based on a sako action. I have nothing but good things to say about it. Everything I feed it shoots great and almost to the same Point of impact. I have heard a lot of bad things about CS but haven't had any interactions. Would I buy again. Probably if I could find another edge model.

Good point. Forgot about that. They are Antler Arms. I e-mailed them in 2023 and they stated they had 2 more years of non-compete. Would like to see them in the US.

 

[Paisano]

I bought a CA ridgeline in 2018. 300 wsm. I asked which factory ammo they recommend for accuracy and went with that. I got right at an moa or a little better out of that. With my hand loads, groups shrunk 1/4 inch or so. Seems like it took 50-75 rounds to settle in which, I think they recommend for break in process. Any rate, no complaints with mine. Very functional.

 

[Sheltowee]

I'm going to be that guy and suggest something you didn't ask for-- take a hard look at the Tikkas. EuroOptic is clearancing many of their Tikka models right now, including some of their RoughTech models that come threaded, Cerakoted and with an upgraded stock. For my money, Tikka is a more reliable option than CA or Fierce and I'd put the leftover cash toward a top end optic.

 

[Rugern01]

Have a CA Mesa in 308(2023) and a Ridgeline in 7mm mag (2021). Both have been broken in according to CA directions and both shoot well with no issues. I like both guns and enjoy shooting them, along with feeling that I paid a fair price for each, but I do agree that the Tikka rifles are hard to ignore, along with Seekins in the same comparison. I handled the Seekins in 7mm mag when I bought the Ridgeline and liked the 'feel' of the Ridgeline much better, YMMV. For me, both CA rifles fit me well, are relatively light and suit my needs, no regrets on either purchase.

 

[jeff_gibbons]

I have a Fierce Carbon Fury 7mm REM Mag. I love everything about it. Sako style action that runs very smooth. Mag box is long. It shoots fantastic with everything I’ve put down it. 168 gr Bergers 0.296” 150 gr Barnes 0.32, 150 gr Nosler ABLR around 0.4is from memory. Trigger is great. Never had any reason to contact customer service.

Fit, finish, balance and weight all great.

I also read the Rokslide threads and they would give me pause if I were to buy another.

FWIW, I bought my fierce because I wanted a rifle a cut above factory that I have to restock, bed and do trigger work. I’m happy

 

[howl]

$3k for a Fierce is way too close to Blaser money to not get the Blaser.

Is it also not indubitably accurized money? Seems like these are for people who want high end or custom buy don't know about high end and are afraid to research and talk to gunsmiths.

 

[Cornbread]

Ever think about a Browning BLR? Im a leftie too and mine shoots 1" groups. Its in .300 wm. Also have one in 7mm RM & .270. All 3 shoot quite well. Its a heavier rifle, BUT with a bipod & that magnum caliber your groups will be better

 

[RugerHawg413]

Ever think about a Browning BLR? Im a leftie too and mine shoots 1" groups. Its in .300 wm. Also have one in 7mm RM & .270. All 3 shoot quite well. Its a heavier rifle, BUT with a bipod & that magnum caliber your groups will be better

Thank you for recommendation.

Thanks,
Daniel

 

[Cornbread]

Thank you for recommendation.

Thanks,
Daniel

Whatever you get, dont put a cheapass scope on it. I have both an external elevation turret and a Xmas tree reticle. A 2nd focal plane scope is fine. 1" groups are better than the shooter. Sight it in for 200 yards, not 100yards, and buy premium ammo. And practice shooting a lot at 300 yards, or longer if ya can. Hunting out West is much much different than out East. If youre hunting alone, and not with a guide, a range finder is crucial. Range at altitude is very very deceptive.

 

[El Jason]

Range at altitude is very very deceptive.

Please elaborate.

 

[bluegrassdan]

Good Morning,
I have a hunt coming up in November and I am looking to buy a rifle and try my best to stick with that same rifle for years to come for my out west hunts (I live in Arkansas). This search of mine has been going on and off for several months now. The main issue for me is that I shoot left-handed so this obviously makes the field of rifles that I can buy a lot smaller. I have been doing a good amount of research on pretty much all different brands of rifle manufacturers that make left-handed rifles. I have always preferred to get a Weatherby Mark V but I don't really like the caliber offerings that they offer for left-handed rifles. And a custom left-hand rifle is a little bit too expensive for me right now. After doing some research, I have seen and read both plenty of positive and negative reviews for both Fierce rifles and Christensen Arms rifles on here (HuntTalk), other sites, and even Google reviews. So, I want to hear from anyone that has either personally or through family/friends had experiences with Fierce rifles and/or Christensen Arms rifles. It doesn't matter if the rifle was right or left hand, I just want to hear about your experience with rifle itself and the company (customer support). I am truly not leaning either way so please be completely honest in your opinions regarding the 2 companies. I don't really want to support a company that I am not confident in so, please let me know your thoughts regarding them both.

Thank you and all info and wisdom are greatly appreciated!

Thanks again,
Daniel

Do not discount the Bergara rifles. CA has had some QC issues in recent years and lots of bad press. I can say that after accurizing several Bergara rifles for customers, they make a quality rifle and the after market parts/add on toys and accessories is wide open. You are starting off a little late in the game if you have a hunt in November. You should already be doing load work ups and practicing from field positions instead of just starting to look at a new rifle.

 

[Cornbread]

Please elaborate.

As others have told me, its Big Sky country..I figure that the air at high altitude is cleaner and you can see farther. Something may look like its 200 yards away, the you get out the range finder a nd its 400 yards actually.

 

[El Jason]

As others have told me, its Big Sky country..I figure that the air at high altitude is cleaner and you can see farther. Something may look like its 200 yards away, the you get out the range finder a nd its 400 yards actually.

So is this specific to altitude, or is it folks just can’t estimate range as well in mountainous terrain? Are the mountains at 5k feet different than 12k?