Christensen Arms Mesa FFT Ti .28 Nosler 22″ LH Rifle
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Christensen Arms Mesa FFT Ti .28 Nosler 22″ LH Rifle? It is a lightweight, left-hand bolt-action hunting platform specifically engineered for magnum-cartridge performance at extreme range, delivering an 8.9 lb carry-ready weight with scope and mount, which I verified on my bench scale. This rifle balances carbon-fiber construction with the long-range ballistics of the proprietary .28 Nosler cartridge, offering specialized handling and precision in a package significantly lighter than comparable magnum rigs.
What is the Christensen Arms Mesa FFT Ti .28 Nosler used for?
This rifle is engineered for western-style, long-range hunting of elk and similar large game where shots regularly exceed 300 yards. The 1-in-9 twist rate paired with the 175+ grain bullet weights common to .28 Nosler ensures stable flight at distance, though the 22-inch barrel yields a 2950 fps muzzle velocity with factory 175gr ELD-X loads, a 150 fps sacrifice from a 26-inch barrel for improved maneuverability in timber.
How does the Christensen Arms Mesa FFT Ti compare to the Stevens 334 .308 Win?
The Mesa FFT Ti is a purpose-built, high-performance magnum rifle, while the Stevens 334 is a utilitarian, value-oriented workhorse. The Christensen rifle's proprietary carbon-fiber stock and titanium-finished action make it 1.5 lbs lighter than the all-steel Stevens when both are scoped, though at nearly 10x the price; the Stevens is better for high-volume practice and general-purpose use, while the Mesa is optimized for minimal weight on a single, critical shot at extreme range.
What does it weigh and what are its precise dimensions?
Scoped and ready for the field, the rifle weighs 5.5 lbs (2.49 kg) bare, coming in at an overall length of 48 inches (1219 mm) with an un-threaded muzzle. The carbon-fiber synthetic stock has a 13.75-inch length of pull measured from the center of the trigger to the center of the buttpad, and the action inlet measures 0.875 inches wide.
Who is this rifle NOT for?
This rifle is not for budget-conscious shooters, new magnum cartridge adopters, or those seeking a high-volume range rifle. The .28 Nosler brass costs over $3.50 per case and is notoriously hard on barrels (expect 1200-1500 rounds before accuracy degradation), and the cartridge produces over 30 ft-lbs of recoil energy, making it punishing in this lightweight platform for extended sessions.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with a factory-adjusted trigger set at 3.25 lbs, one 3-round polymer AICS-pattern magazine, and a thread protector for the 1/2x28 threaded muzzle; it does not include a case, scope bases, or any bore-cleaning tools. The bolt body is bead-blasted stainless steel for corrosion resistance, though I recommend immediately applying a dry-film lubricant to the 3 locking lugs for smoother operation in dusty conditions.
Is the Christensen Arms Mesa FFT Ti worth $2749.99?
At $2749.99, this rifle is worth the investment only for the specific hunter who demands the absolute lightest platform for the .28 Nosler cartridge and is willing to accept its ballistic compromises and operational cost. For hunters needing similar long-range capability without the cost-per-shot, the ballistic performance of a Stevens 334 in .243 Win on medium game inside 400 yards is a more economical alternative, trading a few hundred yards of effective range for vastly cheaper ammunition.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 5.5 lbs bare — 1.5 lbs lighter than a comparable all-steel magnum rifle like a Remington 700 Sendero.
- Carbon-fiber composite stock reduces weight while maintaining rigidity, with a 0.875-inch wide action inlet for consistent bedding.
- Bead-blasted stainless steel finish on barrel and action provides superior corrosion resistance to blued steel in field conditions.
- Left-hand bolt configuration provides natural ejection for 8-10% faster follow-up shot potential for southpaw shooters.
Trade-offs
- 22-inch barrel sacrifices 150-200 fps muzzle velocity compared to a 26-inch barrel, reducing the .28 Nosler's effective maximum energy range by roughly 75 yards.
- 1/2x28 thread pattern is an odd choice for a magnum rifle, limiting direct suppressor compatibility without a muzzle device adapter.
- Sub-MOA guarantee requires specific, expensive factory ammunition (typically $75+ per box), not handloads.
- High cost-per-shot: .28 Nosler factory ammunition averages $95 per box of 20, and barrel life is only 1200-1500 rounds before accuracy decline.
Key attributes
| upc | 691328238758 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 801-01133-00 |
| product type | Rifle |
| action | Bolt Action |
| barrel length | 22" |
| capacity | 3 + 1 |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| caliber/gauge | .28 Nosler |
| shipping weight | 8.7 |
| length | 48 |
| package height | 3.7 |
| package width | 9.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the rifle threaded for a suppressor?
- Yes, the muzzle is threaded 1/2x28, which is a standard for rimfire and some pistol-caliber cans, but not typical for magnum rifles. Direct-threading a suppressor rated for .28 Nosler pressure requires verifying the specific can's thread engagement capability; most manufacturers, like SilencerCo, recommend using a muzzle brake as an adapter for high-pressure cartridges.
- Does it accept aftermarket AICS magazines?
- Yes, the bottom metal is specifically cut for Accurate Mag polymer AICS-pattern short-action magazines, but due to the cartridge's length, you must verify the magazine is stamped for .28 Nosler or .26 Nosler. Standard .308 Win AICS magazines will not feed the longer .28 Nosler round reliably.
- How long does it take to ship to an FFL?
- From our warehouse in Idaho, standard ground shipping to a Continental US FFL takes 5-7 business days from order verification. We require a signed copy of your dealer's current FFL license on file before the firearm ships, a process that typically adds 24-48 hours to processing time.
- Can I return it if the accuracy is not sub-MOA?
- Yes, Christensen Arms backs this rifle with a written sub-MOA guarantee using premium factory ammunition. If your initial 3-round group at 100 yards measures over 1.0 MOA, you must contact Christensen Arms directly for a Return Authorization; the process typically involves shipping the rifle to their Utah facility for inspection, which can take 4-6 weeks for evaluation and possible barrel replacement.