Is a proof research barrel worth it?

[RockyMtnMT]

Opinions both ways. I don't own one. Researched the topic in the past before purchasing my last two barrels for backpacking rifles. Finally decided against carbon due to expense. Maybe shoulda, coulda, woulda...
Remember Kirby Allen was thumbs down on carbon barrels due to added costs. He felt the weight gains were marginal compared to a lighter contour non-carbon barrel. He builds a lot of rifles. Dunno if his advice remains the same today.
The guy laying out cash must decide for himself.
I do believe load development for the stiffer barrels is less finicky.

I think the early carbon barrels were nothing more than factory take of barrels contoured down to accept carbon wrapping. Bores were of poor quality and when turned down caused problems with maintaining bore dia. The problem was lipstick on a pig.

Steve

 

[sobercajun]

Thinking about putting a proof research carbon barrel on my next rig. I'm building a long range hunting rifle chambered in 7-300. I really love the almost 2lbs of weight savings it'll get over a comparable barrel. This gun will be packed around the mountains.
My question is for those that have them, was it worth the cost?
How was accuracy, barrel life etc? Thanks

 

[sobercajun]

Just re-barreled a factory Remington 700/7RM with a Proof 26'' 1:8. Quick delivery directed me to the Proof barrel. I bit pricy but am well pleased. This thing shoots VERY good. Bedded the barreled action in a Carbon McMillan Game Warden stock & it's also very balanced & light.

 

[adam32]

I think the early carbon barrels were nothing more than factory take of barrels contoured down to accept carbon wrapping. Bores were of poor quality and when turned down caused problems with maintaining bore dia. The problem was lipstick on a pig.

Steve

The originals were Christensen carbon barrels and they used Shilen liners for their "custom" barrels and then turned down and wrapped factory tubes for their cheaper rifles. A lot of development went into the early barrels and a lot of bad barrels were out there.

ABS came in a bit after and started using Rock Creek liners.

MRI still makes the best carbon barrel and they mainly use Pac-Nor liners.

Kirby's research had nothing to do with the liners, he tested rigidity compared to steel barrels.

There's nothing "wrong" with any of them, I have carbon barrels on a few rifles but I won't ever pay the price of a Proof when I can get almost 2 others for the same price.

 

[rafterfp]

Any action work? Nice groups

Just re-barreled a factory Remington 700/7RM with a Proof 26'' 1:8. Quick delivery directed me to the Proof barrel. I bit pricy but am well pleased. This thing shoots VERY good. Bedded the barreled action in a Carbon McMillan Game Warden stock & it's also very balanced & light.

ny n

 

[sobercajun]

I trued my factory Remington 700 action. Posted action upgrade recommendation questions on this forum when I was barreling & most replies I got advised to just true & blueprint factory 700 action. So that's what I did. Worked out really well. Worked up a load with Berger 168VLD seated -.010 in front of 69.5grs of H1000. Clocking on average of 2988fps. Didn't take much load development to find a good node. Could probably get a little more heat but this shoots great & I don't get many shots over 300yds here in South LA. As I said, the Proof barrel is a little pricey ~$800 but it looks as good as it shoots. I'm single & don't have to explain WHY.

 

[rafterfp]

I trued my factory Remington 700 action. Posted action upgrade recommendation questions on this forum when I was barreling & most replies I got advised to just true & blueprint factory 700 action. So that's what I did. Worked out really well. Worked up a load with Berger 168VLD seated -.010 in front of 69.5grs of H1000. Clocking on average of 2988fps. Didn't take much load development to find a good node. Could probably get a little more heat but this shoots great & I don't get many shots over 300yds here in South LA. As I said, the Proof barrel is a little pricey ~$800 but it looks as good as it shoots. I'm single & don't have to explain WHY.

Right on, just curious I rebarreled a stock 700 with a Christiansen barrel I got in a trade and did nothing to the action and it is shooting amazing! Not something I would normally do but have been pleasently surprised with a 10 shot ( over 10 days ) cold bore group that measured right at 3/8 moa. With factory hornady ammo.

 

[sobercajun]

Cal Zant writes a chapter in Bryan Litz's Volume II of his Modern Advancements In Long Lange Shooting series book where they do a study test on several barrels. Two of which are carbon barrels(Proof Research & Christensen). It's a good read but my take on that test is not much difference between any of the heavy contour barrels & carbon barrels but the carbon barrels are much lighter AND they look GREAT. Mine shoots really good & would recommend it if you can justify the higher cost.

 

[Pdvdh]

...have been pleasantly surprised with a 10 shot ( over 10 days ) cold bore group that measured right at 3/8 moa. With factory hornady ammo.

Pleasantly surprised is the understatement of the year. How about WILDLY surprised. Wish I had that kind of good fortune.

 

[bigngreen]

I find the Proofs worth the money, everyone I've built with shoots excellent, slug the bore and it's excellent, run out in the lathe is as good as any high end steel barrel. I like cut rifles barrels and what I want to see out of rifles I build the Proofs have delivered.
I will play with Christansen more, they are buttoned but they are paying attention to bore growth during aggressive contouring and the barrels spec out good so far. Those are the only two I'd consider putting on a rifle at this point though they have different liner and wrap strategies which I find interesting.

 

[midnightmalloy]

I had the pleasure of going to their facility in Montana and it's nothing short of state of the art. My proof shoots amazing and I have another one for a new build. I guess when you talk about the cost of anything people will constantly scoff and say something will do just as good for less. To each their own but I have not spoke or heard of anyone who has a recent proof that didn't absolutely love it. I would say that the one thing beyond how well it shoots it that it really changes how the rifle balances and is more comfortable to shoot because of it.

What carbon barrels are guys buying that are half the price of a proof? If so please supply the names and links to their websites.

 

[86alaskan]

midnightmalloy, I bought my christensen 24" 308 on sale from opticsplanet for just at $500 shipped. that good deal made the decision for me, I was looking at premium steel and to have it fluted and everything I was in the same price range as the carbon barrel. I shopped around but there are deals to find. I think the average christensen barrels are around $600

 

[adam32]

What carbon barrels are guys buying that are half the price of a proof? If so please supply the names and links to their websites.

MRI...Christensen...Frozen Fiber...CarbonSix...Bettin/Satern...

There are a lot of carbon barrel makers these days...all cheaper than Proof, except Hardy, they are the same or a bit more I believe.

Again, nothing wrong with Proof, but I would personally never spend that much on a single barrel when others can do the same thing for much less.

 

[bigngreen]

The Hardy is $1250, Carbon six is $695, Christensen is $600, Proof $792. Proof may be the only cut rifled barrel which tends to be a selling point to me and worth the money, Proof builds a LOT of barrels both steel and carbon and they shoot consistently barrel for barrel. I view barrel shopping as shopping for quality and process not price, I've gone the cheap route a few times and in the end I spend more time screwing around in the lathe because the bores are variable or the land heights are wonky or having to cut back to crown on a tight spot, the barrel is thee heart of an accurate rifle and the last place to save money!!!!