Hells Canyon Barrels vs Proof

[Whitetail312]

I am about to finish up a 300 prc with proof 24" no taper. This rifle will be sub 10 lbs with a vortex razor hd. I understand you are not liking the contour options so that is why I mention the overall weight of this rifle. In fact my 20" proof light build I did a few months ago is 8.5 glass and suppressor.

The 30" full bull contour in 375 Cheytac weighs 6.3 pounds from proof I believe. HCA has a tactical contour I like that rings in at 4.5 pounds. So by saving that almost two pounds it gives me room for a heavier stock and other things.

 

[Toolhand]

I have no experience with hells canyon but have 2 Carbon 6 barrels and they may be another option. They both out shoot my proof but also different builders. none of the 3 shoot over 1/2 MOA

 

[BrentM]

The 30" full bull contour in 375 Cheytac weighs 6.3 pounds from proof I believe. HCA has a tactical contour I like that rings in at 4.5 pounds. So by saving that almost two pounds it gives me room for a heavier stock and other things.

That seems crazy high. A 300 prc no taper in 28" is 3lbs 2 oz. that barrel is 1" at the muzzle.

 

[Whitetail312]

That seems crazy high. A 300 prc no taper in 28" is 3lbs 2 oz. that barrel is 1" at the muzzle.

It seems high to me as well, but that's what proofs website shows...
https://proofresearch.com/barrels/bolt-action-carbon-fiber-specs/

Part number 114452

 

[vancewalker007]

I've been shooting a Proof and some far I'm really happy with it. Here is a link to a video, there's second one as well, that has some interesting thoughts on the subject.

 

[BrentM]

It seems high to me as well, but that's what proofs website shows...
https://proofresearch.com/barrels/bolt-action-carbon-fiber-specs/

Part number 114452

Good lord. Clearly I'm not in the know. That is a massive chamber. Holy crap

 

[Wolf76]

I have an HCA barrel and it shoots phenomenally. Fouls very little and consistent. Mike's CS is great. Highly recommend. My gunsmith commented on the difference between the proof barrels and HCA. He noted the HCA barrel had more steel than the comparable proof. My 338 edge weighs 9# 5 oz. 26" barrel, titanium brake, and 2# 10oz McMillan thumbhole stock.

 

[carl1775]

How can a barrel have more steel, but at the same time be lighter? Does resin and fiber mat weigh more than steel? If so, isn't that the exact opposite argument of getting a carbon wrapped barrel? I'm super confused now...

 

[BrentM]

How can a barrel have more steel, but at the same time be lighter? Does resin and fiber mat weigh more than steel? If so, isn't that the exact opposite argument of getting a carbon wrapped barrel? I'm super confused now...

Could be shank area but the only way to understand barre thickness is to cut one in half. Lots of misunderstandings around cf barrels in general. My proofs have been fantastic. I'm hooked. Haven't tried others but been happy enough I have little reason to change.

 

[carl1775]

Still apples to apples, 1 oz. steel equals 1 oz. of steel. If it's bigger in the shank, then it's smaller somewhere else. Doesn't matter where in the product it occurs. Unless, the "other" steel is super cool alien steel, but most everyone calls that titanium alloy... Any way, just thinking out loud.

 

[carl1775]

Still very confused about what everyone supposedly "knows."

 

[Wolf76]

How can a barrel have more steel, but at the same time be lighter? Does resin and fiber mat weigh more than steel? If so, isn't that the exact opposite argument of getting a carbon wrapped barrel? I'm super confused now...

A couple points. HCA only shows metal in the breech/ chamber area. Then it's all cf wrap. On proof barrels, the muzzle looks similar to the beech. Then there is less resin in the cf wrap of hca. This could clear up some questions.
I'm not saying anything negative towards proof, only pointing out some differences.
I'd suggest you don't over think it. There is no wrong or bad decision.
As a side note, It's not easy keeping big guns under 10#s without sacrificing something. I could easily get a stock around 28-32 oz. This would reduce my overall weight by 10-14oz, but recoil would be more pronounced.

 

[carl1775]

Ok, carbon wrap to the muzzle, would be a place to save weight. Versus stepping back up for final diameter. How does that affect threading and ultimately crown depth/ angle/ etc.? Obviously, a thread protector, suppressor adapter, or brake, would compensate for lost material in threading, as it pertains to strength. Is there plenty of room for all of this to occur?

 

[carl1775]

Another thought, would less resin allow more resonance through the fiber? That would affect ballistics as well.