Thoughts? Christiansen Arms Mesa vs Tikka T3X

[Rockrivr1]

I’m currently looking at getting a new bolt action rifle that will be used for an upcoming Elk hunt as well as some long range shooting and It’ll be in 300 Win Mag.

I’ve been doing a bunch of research and have nixed the Weatherby Vanguard, Remington 700 BDL, Howa 1500 and Winchester 70. So many things to look at that it makes your head spin. All were so close that it came down to personal preferences.

From the research I narrowed my choices down to the Mesa and T3X. Here I’m stuck as they both have very good pluses. The Tikka is cheaper by a few hundred but not enough to be the deciding factor.

Anyone have any opinion on these two? Appreciate it!

 

[Part Timer]

While my experience with both CA and Tikka don't apply to that particular caliber, I do have experience with both brands and would not hesitate to choose a Tikka over a CA.

Over the years, I don't think I've had a Tikka shoot poorly and had a T3X in 6.5 PRC that was every bit as accurate as my customs. The Christensen (a Ridgeline, albeit) on the other hand, was closer to a 2.5-3.0 MOA rifle with several different types of ammo. Maybe that would be acceptable for a 100yd shot, but I highly doubt that will be the general consensus here given the circumstances.

This is obviously all anecdotal with very small sample sizes of each, but if it's my money on an elk hunt, I'm picking the rifle that I am confident in - which would be the Tikka. Take the extra few hundred dollars and put it into the scope/mount/ammo/binos or a new set of Crispi's for the hills.

 

[max-x]

Tikka max magazine oal will be 3.32-3.34" oal which may cause great offense if reloading lo-drag heavies

If you tinker to set it up with an aics la system (mdt oryx), max oal may be extended to 3.5ish at the cost of a few weeks of buying and assembling parts

But it's a nice action, barrel, trigger etc

If you go 300wsm, that's closer to ideal for T3 on a plug & play out of the box system

 

[MrMcCrackin]

If it makes you feel any better, I noticed that over half of the Used bolt guns available at my local Scheels are Christiansen Arms more so than Savage offerings.

 

[FuhQ]

All but 1 of my CA rifles shoot sub-1/2” @ 100 with handloads. After a warranty trip back to CA to remedy that issue, now all 5 of them shoot great. My older 24” Ridgeline in .280 Ackley is a Cadillac.

Like was mentioned, the Tikka magazine is a huge limitation with anything long action.

 

[wind gypsy]

Neither sounds appealing at all for long range shooting to me - because 6.5# rifle in 300wm isn't a ton of fun. General rifle/company attributes I'd take a tikka over a mesa any day. For 300wm though a tikka factory mag is way too short for loading heavy bullets longer. If you're shooting factory ammo that doesn't matter because they'll be loaded to SAAMI length anyway.

 

[st1650]

Tikka is fine for 7PRC but probably a bit short for 300winmag for longer bullets.
Have you considered a different caliber or are you set for 300winmag ?
I’d do 300wsm if I was running a tikka actio Lapua brass is available, no belt, some factory ammo available.

 

[owtlaw]

You couldn't give me another CA. I've tried to like them. I've had 2 Ridgelines. My 7PRC was a disaster and it was never right, even after 2 trips back to CA. My 6.5 Cr would shoot decent groups. 5/8 Moa ish, but showed high pressure with all of the factory loads and even My light handle handloads. All I ever got from. CA was that everything was ok. I got rid of them. I don't personally own a Tika but I have friends that do and they are happy with them.

 

[Metzger]

I have owned five tikkas and three Christiansen arms. Two in 300win mag a lite and a rough tech. While the lite shot well it was too light in weight for a 300 wm. The rough tech was more balanced with the additional weight and a muzzle break. I would not hesitate to buy another tikka. Two of the Christiansen arms one in 6.5 pro the other in 65cm shot poorly. The third 65cm shot as good as any custom I own so long it is suppressed. Unsuppressed it’s a 2.5 moa gun at best.