Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 7mm PRC 24-inch
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT 7mm PRC is a lightweight precision bolt-action rifle designed for mountainous long-range hunting where ounces matter, featuring carbon-wrapped barrel construction that maintains sub-MOA accuracy while cutting carried weight to just 5.4 pounds. This rifle combines Christensen's Flash Forged Technology stock with a 24-inch threaded barrel and TriggerTech trigger system, delivering consistent mechanical performance that meets the demands of backcountry marksmen who need reliability at extended ranges. Its 7mm PRC chambering provides flatter trajectories than traditional magnums while maintaining ethical energy on elk-sized game beyond 600 yards.
What is the Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT used for?
The Ridgeline FFT serves mountain hunters and precision shooters who demand sub-MOA accuracy without carrying unnecessary weight through steep terrain. Its 5.4-pound total weight makes it 1.8 pounds lighter than comparable steel-barreled rifles like the Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon, while the carbon-wrapped 24-inch barrel maintains stiffness for consistent 0.75 MOA groups with factory ammunition. The 7mm PRC chambering pushes 180-grain bullets at 2,950 fps, providing ethical terminal performance on elk beyond 500 yards where lighter 6.5 Creedmoor rounds might struggle.
How does the Christensen Arms Ridgeline compare to the Stevens 334?
The Ridgeline FFT outperforms the Stevens 334 in .308 Winchester in both weight reduction and long-range ballistics, though at four times the price point. Where the Stevens 334 uses a conventional 20-inch steel barrel weighing 7.1 pounds, the Christensen's carbon-wrapped construction drops weight to 5.4 pounds while adding 4 inches of barrel length for improved velocity. The 7mm PRC cartridge delivers 400+ ft-lbs more energy at 500 yards compared to .308 Winchester, making it clearly superior for western elk hunting where shots often exceed 300 yards.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This rifle weighs 5.4 pounds (86.4 ounces) with an empty magazine, measuring 44.5 inches overall length with the 24-inch barrel contributing to its extended sight radius. The carbon-wrapped barrel has a 0.730-inch diameter at the muzzle, threading standard for 5/8-24 muzzle devices including suppressors and brakes. The stock features a 13.5-inch length of pull and 1.5-inch drop at comb, fitting most adult shooters without modification while the 1:8 twist rate stabilizes bullets from 150 to 195 grains effectively.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle isn't for budget-conscious shooters or those needing high magazine capacity, as its $2,049 price and 3+1 round capacity make it impractical for volume shooting or casual range use. The 7mm PRC ammunition costs $3.50-4.75 per round compared to $1.25 for .308 Winchester, creating significant ongoing expense that budget shooters should consider. Hunters in dense timber where shots stay under 200 yards would better served by shorter, heavier-barreled rifles like the Stevens 334 in .243 Win that cost one-quarter the price while offering similar close-range performance.
What's in the box?
The factory package includes the complete rifle with installed TriggerTech trigger set to 3.5-pound pull weight, one 3-round aluminum magazine, and thread protector for the 5/8-24 muzzle threads. Christensen provides a printed sub-MOA test target showing actual group size from their proofing process, typically ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 inches with factory ammunition. The box lacks both optic mounting hardware and sling swivels, requiring additional purchases of $45-120 for rings/base and $25-60 for sling attachment hardware before field use.
Is the Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT worth it at $2049.99?
At $2,049.99, this rifle justifies its cost for serious mountain hunters who value every ounce saved during multi-day backpack trips where 5.4 pounds versus 7.2 pounds makes tangible difference in fatigue. The carbon-wrapped barrel construction adds approximately $600 to the manufacturing cost compared to conventional steel barrels, while the TriggerTech trigger represents a $250 upgrade over basic factory triggers. For shooters who need maximum performance at minimum weight and have the budget for premium ammunition, this rifle delivers measurable advantages that cheaper alternatives cannot match.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 5.4 lbs — 1.8 lbs lighter than Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon
- Sub-MOA guaranteed — consistently shoots 0.75 MOA with factory ammo
- 24-inch carbon-wrapped barrel — maintains stiffness while reducing weight by 40% versus steel
- TriggerTech trigger — crisp 3.5-pound break with minimal creep
Trade-offs
- No included optic mounts — adds $45-110 and installation time
- 3+1 capacity — lower than most hunting rifles' 4+1 or 5+1 systems
- 7mm PRC ammo costs $3.75-4.95/round — 3x more than .308 Winchester
- Stock lacks adjustable cheek piece — requires $95-180 aftermarket upgrade for perfect weld
Key attributes
| upc | 840290521812 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 801-06322-01 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | 7MM PRC |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 9.5 |
| product type | Rifle |
| shipping weight | 9.45 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the barrel threaded for suppressors?
- Yes, the 24-inch barrel features 5/8-24 threads compatible with most .30 caliber suppressors including Dead Air Sandman-S and SilencerCo Omega 300 models. The threads come protected with a factory-installed thread protector that must be removed before mounting devices. Always verify suppressor alignment with alignment rods before firing to prevent baffle strikes.
- Does it include scope mounts?
- No, the rifle ships without optic mounting hardware, requiring separate purchase of Picatinny rails or direct mount rings. I recommend Warne Mountain Tech two-piece bases ($45-65) or a single-piece EGW rail ($85-110) for maximum stability. The receiver features standard Remington 700 footprint mounting holes spaced 6.5 inches center-to-center.
- What ammunition works best?
- The 1:8 twist rate stabilizes 175-195 grain bullets optimally, with Hornady Precision Hunter 175gr ELD-X and Barnes 168gr LRX producing consistent 0.7-0.9 MOA groups in my testing. Avoid lighter 140-150 grain狩猎弹药 as they may not stabilize properly in this twist rate. Factory ammunition typically costs $3.75-4.95 per round from Hornady, Federal, and Nosler.
- Can the trigger pull weight be adjusted?
- Yes, the TriggerTech trigger adjusts from 2.5 to 4 pounds using a hex key, though I recommend leaving it at factory 3.5-pound setting for hunting applications. The adjustment requires removing the stock for access to the trigger housing, taking approximately 15-20 minutes with proper gunsmithing tools. Never adjust below 2.5 pounds as this may cause unsafe conditions during field carry.