Building a PRS - pre-fit, or hand-barreled action?

[target_shot]

I am working on a build sheet for my first rifle to get into PRS and "tactical rifle" shooting. I generally have the mindset of "buy once, cry once", so I am looking for quality components, however don't want to overspend if it's not necessary for my skill level.

I am pretty much set on a defiance action and proof research carbon barrel.

I am trying to decide between a pre-fit barrel or purchasing a barrel blank to be hand fit by a smith. About $500 more to have a barrel fit, plus several more months lead time.

Is the difference in quality appreciable enough to make it worth while for an intermediate shooter?

Thanks!

[waveslayer]

What's your total budget?

You should give Dane at DMR Rifles a call. He was and is building a ton of rifles for PRS guys, he's a beast at PRS. He's in Vegas. He can spin you up a barrel too.

PM for his info.

If you're set on Defiance go custom, you can get what you want. If what you want matches a pre fit, get the prefit

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[5gnut]

Yes sir, Dane Miller is the guy.
The only thing that slows down Dane is supply of components.

[ghostrider]

Marc Soulie from Spartan Precision Rifles recently moved to Idaho, once you acquire your action and barrel send it to him, he recently told me turn around is a couple weeks

[target_shot]

Thanks gents, appreciate the info.

[707electrician]

Originally Posted by ghostrider

Marc Soulie from Spartan Precision Rifles recently moved to Idaho, once you acquire your action and barrel send it to him, he recently told me turn around is a couple weeks

+1 For Marc. Great guy and does great work.

[duckman1]

Marc did mine as well. He is working in the shop as we speak.


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[NorCalTodd]

Marc has done all of my work since 2014. I was at his new shop a few months ago. it is NICE. He's said that his current turnaround time is just a couple weeks. He has always built me hammers, and my brass doesn't know the difference from barrel to barrel.

Also, You can forego the CF barrel. Most guys are running their guns heavy for better recoil management to better spot your shots and make any adjustments. Most guys are running M40 or MTU profiles, which are pretty heavy, and help move weight forward to better balance the rifle.

[ar15barrels]

Originally Posted by target_shot

I am pretty much set on a defiance action and proof research carbon barrel.

I am trying to decide between a pre-fit barrel or purchasing a barrel blank to be hand fit by a smith.
About $500 more to have a barrel fit, plus several more months lead time.

Nobody who wins consistently is running a carbon wrapped barrel.
Proof sponsored PRS shooters are not even running carbon wrapped barrels.

Also, the cost of a pre-fit barrel has some gunsmithing costs built into it that a blank does not so you save that when you have a gunsmith fit the blank.
It's really more like half as much as what you are thinking unless you are also adding the cost of bedding or paint work into your barrel fitting estimate.
I rebarrel actions with a 4 hour turnaround if you schedule a day to come over with your barrel and action.

[tyler_sti]

Eric Cortina said it best. Its not about your skill level now, but where you want to be. If you want to be up there with the top guys, expect to buy what they have or similar. You said it your self, buy once cry once.

[Kevin11mee]

I think both are just as accurate assuming a good gunsmith cuts the chamber. The real advantage of a pre-fit barrel is that you can swap them easily and quickly.

[SDCarpenter]

What your asking is the same thing. Prefit barrels exist because custom actions are held to such tolerances that they can headspace the barrel without your action.

[sigstroker]

Carbon barrels aren't used much in PRS except for the specialty matches like the Hornady Precision Hunting Challenge or matches with a hunter division that has a weight limit.

[SirRicky85]

Originally Posted by ar15barrels

Nobody who wins consistently is running a carbon wrapped barrel.
Proof sponsored PRS shooters are not even running carbon wrapped barrels.

Also, the cost of a pre-fit barrel has some gunsmithing costs built into it that a blank does not so you save that when you have a gunsmith fit the blank.
It's really more like half as much as what you are thinking unless you are also adding the cost of bedding or paint work into your barrel fitting estimate.
I rebarrel actions with a 4 hour turnaround if you schedule a day to come over with your barrel and action.

He's right. You might as well get a Bartlein barrel