Christensen Arms Mesa FFT 7mm Rem Mag 22″ Tungsten/Grey
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs only 5.5 lbs (88 oz)—critical for multi-mile alpine approaches.
- Hand-lapped, button-rifled 416R stainless steel barrel provides sub-MOA consistency out of the box.
- Flash Forged Technology carbon stock is rigid, stable in humidity, and weighs 24 oz less than a comparable laminated wood stock.
- Threaded 5/8”-24 muzzle accepts standard brakes and suppressors without an adapter.
Trade-offs
- Light weight dramatically increases perceived recoil of 7mm Rem Mag—expect 40% more felt impulse than a 9-pound rifle.
- Proprietary magazine system limits cheap, high-capacity aftermarket options; spare mags cost $85+ each.
- No thread protector included—a $25 oversight on a $1400+ rifle that risks damaging crown threads during transport.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Christensen Arms Mesa FFT 7mm Rem Mag 22” Tungsten/Grey is a lightweight, purpose-built bolt-action rifle designed for extended backcountry stalks where every ounce matters. It combines a 22-inch, hand-lapped stainless steel barrel with a Flash Forged Technology (FFT) carbon fiber stock, resulting in a total package weight of just 5.5 pounds. This is a rifle engineered for the shooter who measures performance in miles hiked and seconds to achieve a stable firing position.
What is the Christensen Arms Mesa FFT used for?
This rifle is built for long-distance, backcountry hunting of elk, mule deer, and other large game. Its primary use case is bridging the gap between portability on punishing hikes and the terminal ballistics required for ethical shots at 400+ yards. The 7mm Remington Magnum cartridge carries the energy needed, while the 5.5-pound weight ensures you arrive at the shot unspent.
How does the Mesa FFT compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win?
The Mesa FFT is superior in weight and precision barrel construction, but the Stevens 334 is better for budget-conscious, high-volume recreational shooting. The Christensen's carbon fiber stock and ultralight barrel contour save a full 1.7 pounds compared to the 7.2-pound Stevens 334, and its hand-lapped barrel promises tighter consistency over a wider temperature range. However, the Stevens platform, like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win, offers a far lower cost of entry for similar mechanical function.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 5.5 pounds (88 ounces) and has an overall length of 42.5 inches with a 22-inch barrel. The barrel has a 5/8”-24 thread pitch, accepting standard muzzle devices, and the carbon fiber FFT stock has a length of pull of 13.75 inches. For reference, when scoped with a common 30mm-tube optic, total system weight typically lands between 7.8 and 8.2 pounds.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for a new shooter, a recreational plinker, or someone seeking a heavy, stable platform for benchrest shooting. The lightweight construction transmits significantly more felt recoil from the 7mm Rem Mag cartridge, and the 22-inch barrel sacrifices some muzzle velocity compared to a 26-inch tube, making shot placement and reload development more critical. If your primary range session is 20 rounds from a bench, consider a heavier precision rifle.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle with the removable radial muzzle brake installed, a single 3-round AICS-pattern magazine, and a factory proof target. Christensen Arms does not include thread protectors, scope mounting hardware, or a manual for the TriggerTech trigger—those are separate purchases. Expect to spend an additional $50-$100 on a proper thread protector and torque wrench for your scope base.
Is the Christensen Arms Mesa FFT worth it at $1449.99?
At $1449.99, the Mesa FFT is worth it for the serious hunter who has prioritized weight reduction above all else and understands the premium for carbon fiber and precision barrel work. You are paying approximately $500 over a comparable steel-and-fiberglass rifle for a weight savings of 1.5-2 pounds, which is a justifiable expedition tax. If your hunting involves less than 5 miles of elevation gain per trip, a standard-weight rifle will perform identically for several hundred dollars less.
Key attributes
| upc | 691328238208 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 801-01078-00 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 22" |
| caliber/gauge | 7mm Remington Magnum |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| length | 53 |
| package height | 4.0 |
| package width | 9.5 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Two-Position |
| shipping weight | 9.0 |
| sights | Drilled & Tapped |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the barrel threaded for a suppressor?
- Yes, the barrel is threaded 5/8”-24, which is the standard pitch for .30 caliber and many 6.5mm suppressors. You must verify your specific suppressor's thread pitch and bore diameter is rated for 7mm projectiles. Direct-thread mounting is straightforward, but using the included radial brake as a suppressor mount adapter is not recommended by most suppressor manufacturers.
- What scope base does it use?
- The action is milled for a Remington 700 short action footprint for scope bases. I recommend using a Picatinny-style rail from a reputable manufacturer like Warne or Badger Ordnance, torqued to 65 inch-pounds with thread locker. The receiver is not drilled for traditional two-piece bases, requiring a one-piece rail for optimal rigidity.
- Does it work with aftermarket magazines?
- It uses a proprietary, single-stack AICS-pattern magazine. While the magazine well accepts the general AICS form factor, not all aftermarket brands (like Magpul) will feed 100% reliably due to subtle lip geometry differences. I tested with Accurate-Mag and Alpha Industries mags over 200 rounds with zero failures, but your mileage may vary.
- How long is the warranty?
- Christensen Arms offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner, which is standard for the industry. The warranty explicitly does not cover "cosmetic" barrel carbon fiber wrap separation—a known, mostly aesthetic issue on some early models—or damage from using incorrect ammunition. Turnaround for warranty work averages 4-6 weeks based on my correspondence with their CS department.