Christensen Arms Ridgeline Scout .450 Bushmaster 16″
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Christensen Arms Ridgeline Scout .450 Bushmaster 16″ is a purpose-built, compact bolt-action rifle engineered for hunters and shooters who require a portable, mechanically precise platform for short-range heavy-hitting applications. Its 16-inch carbon-wrapped stainless steel barrel, threaded muzzle, and 5.9-pound weight make it a genuine NFA-aware truck gun and suppressed hunting rig, not a marketing gimmick. This isn't a general-purpose long-range weapon; it’s a specialized tool with compliance and field handling as design priorities.
What is the Christensen Arms Ridgeline Scout .450 Bushmaster used for?
This rifle is for close-to-mid-range applications where decisive terminal ballistics and a compact form factor are paramount, such as straight-wall cartridge hunting in regulated zones, trail gun carry, or truck-side defense against large predators. The .450 Bushmaster cartridge delivers over 2,700 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, making it decisively effective on deer and hogs inside 200 yards, and the 16-inch barrel keeps the rifle at a manageable 37.5 inches overall for navigating thick brush. Its threaded muzzle (5/8x24) and AICS magazine compatibility facilitate suppressor and accessory use, critical for modern hunters concerned with hearing protection and quick reloads in the field.
How does the Ridgeline Scout compare to the Stevens 334?
The Ridgeline Scout is a dedicated, lightweight suppressor host for a straight-wall cartridge, while the the Stevens 334 is a budget-friendly, all-purpose hunting rifle. The Stevens 334 in .308 Win is a 20-inch barreled, 7.2-pound rifle built for generalist whitetail hunting with cheaper, more widely available ammunition. The Christensen is **2.1 pounds lighter** and purpose-chambered for .450 Bushmaster, making it superior for NFA-regulated hunting zones requiring straight-wall cartridges and for shooters prioritizing a lightweight, suppressed package. The Stevens is better for budget-conscious hunters who don't require a threaded barrel or specialized chambering.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 5.9 pounds (94.4 ounces), with an overall length of 37.5 inches and a 16-inch barrel. That specific weight and length profile is the result of the carbon fiber-wrapped stainless barrel and carbon fiber composite stock shaving critical ounces and inches without sacrificing rigidity needed for consistent accuracy. For comparison, many all-steel-barreled bolt guns in this power class can exceed 8 pounds, meaning you're carrying over **2 pounds less** on a full-day hunt or trek, a meaningful difference in a ready-to-fire format.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for long-range precision shooters, budget-first buyers, or those who primarily target varmints or standard-range whitetail where traditional calibers like .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor excel. The .450 Bushmaster cartridge has a pronounced ballistic arc beyond 200 yards, and ammunition costs nearly $2.50 per round for quality soft points. If your primary need is an affordable, general-purpose deer rifle for open country, the Stevens 334 — our editorial take in .243 Win is a more suitable and economical choice.
What's in the box?
The box contains the rifle itself, **one 5-round AICS-compatible steel magazine**, and the factory-installed 3-prong black nitride flash hider. Missing from the box are any optics, rings, or a suppressor, which you must purchase separately to make the rifle fully operational for its intended roles. The rifle ships in a basic cardboard box with foam inserts for protection, not a hard case, so plan to use your own for long-term storage or transport.
Is the Ridgeline Scout worth it at $1999.99?
Yes, if your use case demands this specific blend of a lightweight, threaded, straight-wall cartridge rifle built with premium components. The $1999.99 price buys you the Christensen Arms barrel technology that saves over **1.5 pounds** compared to a conventional steel profile, the excellent TriggerTech flat-shoe trigger, and an action designed for a detachable magazine system. It's not cheap, but it's a justified expense for a hunter who needs a legal, compact, and suppressor-ready platform for tough environments where a standard hunting rifle would be too unwieldy.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 5.9 lbs (94.4 oz) — over 2 lbs lighter than most all-steel .450 Bushmaster bolt guns
- 16-inch carbon-wrapped stainless barrel reduces weight without sacrificing rigidity for accuracy
- TriggerTech flat-shoe trigger provides a crisp 2.5-3.5 lb pull weight out of the box
- AICS-compatible magazine system allows for reliable 5-round feed and easy spare mag carry
Trade-offs
- .450 Bushmaster ammo averages $2.00-$2.80 per round — significantly more expensive than .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor
- No optic or rings included — adds a minimum of $150-$500 to make the rifle field-ready
- Carbon fiber stock and barrel wrap are premium features that drive the $1999 price point, not a budget option
Key attributes
| upc | 840290527289 |
| manufacturer | Christensen Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 8010656800 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 16" |
| caliber/gauge | .450 Bushmaster |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| number of magazines | 1 5 rd. |
| package height | 4.0 |
| package width | 9.0 |
| product type | Rifle |
| shipping weight | 7.85 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the muzzle threaded for a suppressor?
- Yes. The barrel has a 5/8x24 thread pitch, which is the industry standard for .45-caliber suppressors and many muzzle brakes designed for the .450 Bushmaster cartridge. You will need to verify that your specific suppressor or muzzle device is rated for the .450 Bushmaster's pressure and bore diameter.
- Does it fit in a standard rifle case?
- Yes. The 37.5-inch overall length means the rifle will fit in most 38-inch or longer takedown rifle cases. A 42-inch case provides ample room for a mounted optic and offers better protection for transportation during air travel or in a vehicle.
- Is the magazine compatible with other AICS pattern .450 Bushmaster rifles?
- In most cases, yes. This rifle uses a modified AICS pattern short-action footprint. The included metal 5-round magazine is generally interchangeable with other bolt-action rifles chambered in .450 Bushmaster that are designed for AICS mags, but fit should be verified with the other rifle's manufacturer.
- How long does shipping take?
- For in-stock items through Ironclad Armory, standard processing is 1-2 business days, with an additional 3-7 business days for ground shipping, depending on your location. Expedited options are available at checkout. All firearms ship to your chosen FFL dealer.
- Can I return it if there's a mechanical defect?
- Yes, subject to our policy. Ironclad Armory offers a 30-day return period from the date of FFL transfer for any manufacturer defect verified by our armorers. The firearm must be in new, unfired condition in its original packaging with all accessories. Returns for buyer's remorse or fit are not accepted on firearms for regulatory and safety reasons.