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Thread: Christensen Arms 6.5 very stiff upward movement of the bolt

  1. #1
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    Christensen Arms 6.5 very stiff upward movement of the bolt

    Update: check post 13 for pics & issue

    Visited a friend today who was shooting his new bolt action Christensen Arms Model 14 Ridgeline with a 16" barrel 1-8, chambered 6.5 Creedmoor. For the 1st 10 rounds, cleaned after every shot. Then after every three shots. I left when he was in the 40's, he will continue cleaning after every three shots, until he reaches 50.

    Following each shot, to raise the bolt to eject a round, required a lot of upward pressure, with three different brands of ammo.

    Anything come to mind?

    Cut & pasted from their web site: The Ridgeline Titanium Edition combines a precision titanium action with our signature carbon fiber barrel at an impressive price. The firearm features a titanium radial brake, spiral fluted bolt, and a carbon fiber composite sporter stock with a Metallic Grey with Black Webbing finish.

    Thank you
    Last edited by platoonDaddy; 03-12-23 at 14:37.

  2. #2
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    Is bolt lift stiff only after firing live ammo, or also when dry firing? It might be a cock on open design, so lifting the bolt is compressing what might be a stiff striker spring. If this is the case, it might compress more easily after use.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by grizzman View Post
    Is bolt lift stiff only after firing live ammo, or also when dry firing? It might be a cock on open design, so lifting the bolt is compressing what might be a stiff striker spring. If this is the case, it might compress more easily after use.
    Dry firing doesn’t have the issue…

  4. #4
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    We’ve had to send back a few Christensen Ridgeline rifles with out of spec chambers. Tight bolt lift is usually a sign of chamber/headspace issues. CA took care of them but it’s frustrating to have to do that with a fairly expensive rifle.
    Last edited by VIP3R 237; 03-05-23 at 19:36.
    I paint spaceship parts.

    Quote Originally Posted by Failure2Stop View Post
    Stippled Glocks are like used underwear; previous owner makes all the difference in value.

  5. #5
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    I would avoid anything they make. See problem after problem reported with them all over the interwebs.

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    It definitely seems like an excessive chamber pressure situation. Since it's occurring with factory ammo, I agree that it's probably an out of spec chamber.

    How does brass look after it's been fired?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by grizzman View Post
    It definitely seems like an excessive chamber pressure situation. Since it's occurring with factory ammo, I agree that it's probably an out of spec chamber.

    How does brass look after it's been fired?
    No scratches or dings on the brass.

  8. #8
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    Stiff bolt lift is the classic over-pressure indicator.

    Either something is wrong with your ammo, or the headspace is dicked up. Since it's happening with multiple different loads, I'd put money on it being the latter.

    Send it back to Christensen and make them fix it. I mean, it should have never left the factory like that, but shit happens. Call them, get a return tag, make them fix it.

  9. #9
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    Agree on the pressure indication. Often the breach face is having to shave off a case head swipe on the bolt lift. I don't know who this company is, but apparently they're a part of the culture of American Mediocrity in production.

    A good riflesmith could probably fix this thing if he doesn't want to mess with the fools who built it.
    "What would a $2,000 Geissele Super Duty do that a $500 PSA door buster on Black Friday couldn't do?" - Stopsign32v

  10. #10
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    Christiansen has a reputation for this. Their rifles are hit an miss when it comes to this. Customer Service is only so-so. Call them up and send it back.
    ____________________________________
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