Field-Ready Rifles: Prepping Your Hunting Rifle for the Season Ahead

Hunting season is right around the corner, and prepping your hunting rifle is one of the most important steps to ensure success. From rifle cleaning and maintenance to verifying zero and checking optics, getting your Christensen Arms rifle field-ready now means confidence when it counts.

Start with Rifle Cleaning and Maintenance

A clean rifle is a reliable rifle. As you begin prepping your hunting rifle, start with a full cleaning. Christensen Arms rifles are built with stainless steel and carbon fiber for strength and durability, but fouling and residue can still impact performance. Clean the bore, lubricate moving parts, and complete routine rifle cleaning and maintenance before the season begins.

Learn step-by-step how to keep your Christensen Arms rifle performing at its best—read our full rifle maintenance guide here.

Check Rifle Optics and Mounts

Part of prepping your hunting rifle is confirming your optics are secure. Tighten bases, rings, and screws, and use torque settings recommended by the manufacturer. Adding a small amount of thread-locking compound helps hold everything steady. This step in your preseason hunting rifle checklist ensures your optics hold true in the field.

Confirm Rifle Zero

Never skip this step in prepping your hunting rifle. Head to the range and confirm rifle zero using the same ammunition you plan to hunt with. Test your setup at the distances you expect to shoot. Christensen Arms rifles are engineered for precision, but confirming zero builds confidence and ensures your rifle is ready when opportunity arises.

Ensure your shots hit their mark—check out our full guide on how to sight in your hunting rifle.

Inspect Ammunition and Magazines

While prepping your hunting rifle, check every part of your setup—including ammo and magazines. Make sure cartridges are clean and free of dents. Inspect magazines for spring tension and reliable feeding. This keeps your field-ready rifle functioning smoothly when it matters most.

Review Fit and Handling

Lightweight hunting rifles from Christensen Arms are designed for comfort in real-world conditions. As you’re prepping your hunting rifle, practice shouldering it with your hunting clothing, gloves, and pack. Ensuring a natural fit now will save you from fumbling when it’s time to take the shot.

Ready for the Season Ahead

• Rifle cleaning and maintenance completed
• Rifle optics secured and checked
• Confirmed rifle zero with hunting ammo
• Ammunition and magazines inspected
• Rifle fit tested with hunting gear

Prepping your hunting rifle is more than routine maintenance—it’s building confidence. With your Christensen Arms rifle cleaned, zeroed, and inspected, you know your equipment is ready. A properly prepared rifle allows you to focus on the hunt, not your gear.

Explore Christensen Arms Rifles

Whether you’re carrying a Ridgeline, Mesa, or Modern Precision Rifle, Christensen Arms offers lightweight hunting rifles engineered for repeatable rifle accuracy. Explore the full lineup to find the rifle that fits your season ahead.