CHRISTENSEN ARMS 14 RIDGELINE
Posted May 19, 2023
It’s no exaggeration to say that Christensen Arms has become one of the most respected gunmakers in the world. The Christensen Arms 14 Ridgeline is the latest example of why that is—a superbly designed and manufactured rifle that manages to combine top-tier accuracy, customizability, and excellent ergonomics. It’s a rifle that will satisfy even the pickiest of shooters, no matter their shooting style.
To begin, let’s take a closer look at the Ridgeline. It was introduced in 2016 as the first bolt-action hunting rifle from Christensen Arms. It’s a medium-sized rifle that’s built with Christensen’s trademark light weight, precision, and customized options. The rifle comes with a stainless steel action with integral recoil lug for maximum strength and accuracy. A carbon fiber barrel and hand-laid carbon fiber stock ensure the Ridgeline is as light as possible.
The Ridgeline also stands apart from other rifles in its accuracy. Christensen Arms guarantees a half-inch group when the rifle is shot with .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, and .300 Win Mag ammo. That’s certainly impressive—it puts the Christensen Arms 14 Ridgeline among the group of the most accurate production rifles on the market.
Another strong point of the Ridgeline is its customizability. The rifle comes standard with a detachable box magazine and uses A.I.’s standard-pattern removable barrel and action set-up. This means that shooters have an unlimited array of options when it comes to upgrading the rifle, as well as a wide variety of calibers it can shoot. The rifle can also be user-customized with Christensen Arms’ signature Carbon Six package. This package includes a choice of a 6.5 Creedmoor, a .270 Winchester, or a 6mm Creedmoor barrel, a stainless steel action, an adjustable trigger, free-floating M-Lok compatible handguard, and much more.
The Christensen Arms 14 Ridgeline also stands out in terms of ergonomics. The rifle is designed to fit perfectly in the shooter's hands, with its symmetrically contoured thumb rests and grip surface. Its textured pistol grip ensures a firm hold and comfortable manipulation. The M-Lok compatible handguard provides plenty of space for mounting accessories, and the ergonomically designed safety selector is easy to reach and operate.
In a nutshell, the Christensen Arms 14 Ridgeline is a fantastic rifle that impresses on all fronts. Its accuracy, customizability, and ergonomics are second to none, making it an excellent choice for a wide variety of shooters. Whether you’re a competition shooter looking for a very accurate rifle, or a hunter looking for a rifle that’s lightweight and customizable, the Christensen Arms 14 Ridgeline is a rifle you should definitely consider.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
•Excellent accuracy
•Very light recoil
•Ultra-lightweight design
•Highly durable construction
•Comfortable ergonomics
•Highly adjustable trigger pull
Cons:
•Expensive
•Limited selection of aftermarket parts
•Noisy when unsuppressed
•Requires specialized tools for disassembly
Who Should Buy
People who should buy the Christensen Arms 14 Ridgeline are those who are experienced with firearms and who intend to use it for hunting or target practice. It is not recommended for those who are new to firearms or those who are not familiar with the proper uses and safety protocols associated with them.
Comparisons
| Feature | CHRISTENSEN ARMS 14 RIDGELINE | Product 1 | Product 2 | Product 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .308 Winchester /7.62 NATO | 30-06 Springfield | .270 Winchester | 7mm Remington Magnum |
| Cartridge | 7.62 NATO | 30-Mauser | .270 Winchester | 7mm Remington Magnum |
| Barrel Length | 20” | 22” | 24” | 26” |
| Overall Length | 39.5” | 42.5” | 44” | 46” |
| Weight | 6.9 lbs | 7 lbs | 7.5 lbs | 8.2 lbs |
| Stock | Carbon Fiber | Synthetic | Walnut | Laminated |
Features / Specs
• Action: Christensen Arms 700-Style Short Action Carbon Fiber Wrapped Barrel
• Caliber: 6mm Creedmoor
• Barrel Length:14" Carbon Fiber Wrapped
• Contour: Medium Palma
• Twist Rate: 1:7.5"
• Finish: Cerakote Delta Brown and Black
• Muzzle Thread: 5/8x24
• Chamber: 6mm Creedmoor
• Trigger: Ruger Marksman (2.25-5 lb)
• Magazine: AICS-Style Steel
• Stock: Christensen Arms Carbon Fiber Composite
• Weight: 4 lbs 11oz Approx.
Popular Accessories
- Stock/Chassis: Magpul PRS Gen3 Adjustable Stock or Magpul UBR Gen2 Stock
- Scope Mount: Christensen Arms 20 MOA Scope Mount or KNS Precision AR-15/M16 Titanium Scope Mount
- Sling: Wilderness Tactical Products Ultimate Horizontal Sling or Mission First Tactical Battlelink Sling
- Magazine: Magpul PMAG or Lancer Tactical L5AWM
- Muzzle Device: Primary Weapons Systems FSC556 Muzzle Compensator or SureFire SFMB Muzzle Brake
- Grip: Magpul MOE-K2+ Grip or Hera Arms CQR Grip
- Bi Pod: Harris Engineering S-BRM Hinged Detachable Bi Pod or Atlas BT10L Bi Pod
Accuracy
The Christensen Arms 14 Ridgeline is renowned for its accuracy. Its machined aluminum receiver is combined with a carbon-wrapped barrel for the utmost accuracy and less felt recoil. These barrels come with a variety of twist rates and contours for different shooting conditions, from 1:7 to 1:8, though the 1:7 twist rate is the most common and all finishes are designed to reduce barrel whip under rapid fire. The trigger is adjustable in weight from 2.5 lbs to 3.75 lbs, with a crisp, clean break, and very minimal take-up. Additionally, the Ridgeline comes with Christensen Arms’ proprietary recoil system designed to reduce the felt recoil of the rifle. The 14” carbon-wrapped barrel also adds to the rifle’s accuracy at long distances, allowing it to remain consistent shot after shot. With all of these features, the Christensen Arms 14 Ridgeline is among the most accurate firearms on the market today and offers impressive performance for whatever purpose you may need it for.
