Is a proof research barrel worth it?

[Karey Kimmel]

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

Found a link that you might find interesting about Proof barrel cooling. I have both a Bartlein SS and CF wrapped Proof Barrels in .308 and they are both excellent shooting rifles.

Proof Carbon Fiber Barrels Review

BigJimFish reviews carbon fiber barrels from Proof Research discussing their cooling, harmonics, aesthetics, and performance

www.snipershide.com

 

[DJ Fergus]

I have a cf barrel and I will probably keep it. I won't discourage anyone from trying a cf barrel but I wouldn't do another. Everyone's wants are different. If a fellow wants to run a can, then I can see the argument for having one. Otherwise, the advantage of a cf over a 3 or 3b contour is negligible.

 

[Mark37082]

I know this is an old thread with a great deal of water under the so called bridge since the original post, but thought I would chime in to see if there has been any hands on experience with the Bartlein CF barrels vs Proof recently. I understand their is a weight difference due to thicker steel in the Bartlein, but beyond that is there any other objective differences? Need to put a order in soon.

 

[Darryle]

I would definitely recommend Proof Carbon barrels.

This is with just under 40rds fired. Cold bore was also on a clean barrel.

 

[Tommy T]

I know this is an old thread with a great deal of water under the so called bridge since the original post, but thought I would chime in to see if there has been any hands on experience with the Bartlein CF barrels vs Proof recently. I understand their is a weight difference due to thicker steel in the Bartlein, but beyond that is there any other objective differences? Need to put a order in soon.

I have 2 of the Bartlein barrels a 300 rum and 6.5 PRC and I like the Bartlein and I have 2 proof I have a lot of carbon barrels and I like them but the Bartlein don't change when you shoot over 2 times like the other carbon barrels do but it is a little heavy so I would look at it more on what's your are comfortable with little more weight or accuracy

 

[Mark37082]

This will be my first CF barrel experience in a 280AI build. I am a little conflicted on the weight vs accuracy. This will be a hunting rifle primarily so weight does matter on long treks. I like a Sendero contour, and will probably order a Proof.

 

[Rhovee]

If your worried about weight that much then carry 8 ounces less water. Or take a dump before you leave camp.

 

[Mark37082]

Now that was good advice…. I just know that when I hunt every ounce matters. When shooting at a bench or sitting next to the truck, I'll choose my 13lb rifle. When packing in a tree stand and supplies for the day this old back wants a rifle in the 8.5 or less range. I've got one, but I want another one.

 

[Darryle]

This will be my first CF barrel experience in a 280AI build. I am a little conflicted on the weight vs accuracy. This will be a hunting rifle primarily so weight does matter on long treks. I like a Sendero contour, and will probably order a Proof.

What is your target weight?

That rifle I posted the target from is a 280AI and has a 26" Proof Carbon barrel, Defiance Anti Long Action, sling, and Swarovski Z6 3-18x50 the weight with the thread protector is 8lbs 9oz, with the EC Tuner brake it is 9lbs 1oz and with the APR self timing brake it is 8lbs 15oz.

 

[Gamesniper19]

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

The are only 2 areas a PROOF bbl will help over a steel bbl is in 2 areas:

• Weight savings - but only if you are shooting a larger contour than say a #2
• High rates of fire can show less POI shift (PRS rifle) - again if you are shooting thinner contours

An accurate bbl is an accurate bbl. No matter what it is made out of - 1/4 MOA bbl is a 1/4 MOA whether carbon or steel

 

[Mike D Texas]

Ok, longer answer...

Are Proof carbon barrels good quality? Yes, most of the time.

Are they lighter comparabl barrels? No, they are the heaviest carbon barrel on the market I'm pretty sure.

Are they cheaper then comparable barrels? No, they are 30-50% more than other carbon barrels.

Are they worth the extra cost? Imo, no. Especially when you can get other carbon barrels that are just as good AND lighter for LESS money.

So why are Proof's so expensive? The name. Just like buying a CAT, an extra cost for the name.

I think before Proof bought out ABS that Mike was making top notch fully custom barrels, now they are a production barrel with the same price. Just in my opinion.

Hmmm.

Bartlein carbon is definitely heavier than Proof. I can't speak for Carbon Six (not yet anyway) don't know about other carbons. They are definitely lighter than style of the same contour.

As to price, I can buy Proof for $720'ish from a few retailers, carbon Six is $650 so not a lot more but still double most stainless barrels.

Extra cost over steel? That depends and is an individual opinion.

I agree on them changing their business model and not for the better. They are no longer interested in making customs. You buy what they offer or too bad. That's why I'm going to try carbon six and hells canyon armory on my next ones.

 

[Rick Richard]

I have both…and like both. Some folks say steel is half the cost of CF…maybe or maybe not. Most folks end up with some kind of fluting and finish like Ceracote. That puts the cost of steel not too far behind the cost of CF, but CF is COOL. In my opinion, neither has an advantage when it comes to accuracy and to me that is most important.

 

[Mark37082]

What is your target weight?

That rifle I posted the target from is a 280AI and has a 26" Proof Carbon barrel, Defiance Anti Long Action, sling, and Swarovski Z6 3-18x50 the weight with the thread protector is 8lbs 9oz, with the EC Tuner brake it is 9lbs 1oz and with the APR self timing brake it is 8lbs 15oz.

My all in target weight is 8.5lbs. Looking for 24" CF, Defiance Anti X (on order), VX6HD and Manners stock (approx. 31 oz). Not sure I will make the weight target, but hopefully I will be close. I might be able to shave a little weight with a Messa stock or a Gunwerks Clymr, but I just like the Manners new MCS LRH a lot.
I really like the Swarovski Z6. Awesome glass! Maybe one day…..

 

[TheFlyingDrunkman]

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

I know it's a little late, but hopefully this helps other folks.

I have three proof carbon bbls. A 16.5" 6.5 Creedmoor bolt gun, a 16.5" AR in 5.56 wyld, and a 22" 300 win mag.

All will shoot 1/2 MOA or better (I have dropped in some groups around 1/4") 5-shot groups with the right ammo and me doing my part and they will do it on day one if you know what your are doing with your loading practices, but I can only get the AR to do it if I load beyond magazine length which isn't practical. At mag length with Lapua brass and basically no prep, the AR shoots around .8". If I work on it, I could probably get that down more but it's an AR so I haven't put the time in.

I don't shoot enough to worry that much about the barrel life. Maybe put 300-500 rounds through each and I haven't seen any degradation and some of my stuff is pretty hot. If anything, my group sizes have gotten smaller the more I shoot because I'm getting better.

A huge pro for me is that a steel barrel will get so hot it will boil water/burn you. The carbon barrel never seems to get so hot you can't touch it and I shoot suppressed. You may not want to grab it and hold on though. I don't know if it's dissipating heat faster or just insulating and holding the heat on, but either way it doesn't seem to impact accuracy.

I also like that I don't have to worry about pitting and I love the carbon look.

The only issue I have is that on the 300 wim mag, my groups will drop about 1/4 inch from string to strong as the bbl warms up. Eventually they will be about an inch or more low. Still tight groups, just with a lower POI. It's pretty predictable and comes back to zero each time. I asked someone at proof about that and they said that's normal for magnum rifles with a can on the end pushing that much heat. I don't know if that's 100% true or not but I'm ok with it because this isn't a match rifle. On hunting you aren't likely to put 15 rounds down range in less than 30 minutes. Just for reference, I'm pushing 75gn h1000 with a 230gn berger around 2750fps. I used to shoot hotter but there wasn't much benefit so I backed it off. Pretty spent after 10-15 rounds of that anyway...

The 6.5 doesn't have any POI shift even after 50 hot, suppressed rounds rounds in about 90 minutes. Likely because of the shorter bbl and smaller cartridge.

So, if you can afford them they do pretty well for the right applications. I probably wouldn't do another AR in a proof bbl just because you could probably get similar results with a much less expensive thin steel bbl, but on a longer range bolt gun, it's a solid choice especially in the mid-range cartridges like 6.5 CM.