Anyone running a Proof Research barrel?

[Rocketman99]

Anyone have any actually hands-on experience with the Proof Research carbon barrels?

Pros-Cons?

Tons of reviews online but most of them seem to be sponsored and trying to get sponsored by Proof.

[Donnovin]

Pros: Much lighter than comparable steel barrel, relatively precise; in my experience, POI stable cold bore through 10 rds rapid fire; some excellent smiths are confident in working with them.
Cons: ~3X the cost of comparable steel barrel; some smiths are hesitant to guarantee their work on this barrel.

[Kingair001]

Anyone have any actually hands-on experience with the Proof Research carbon barrels?

Pros-Cons?

Tons of reviews online but most of them seem to be sponsored and trying to get sponsored by Proof.

A lot of good and bad reviews on the Proof

But apparently Proof has it all together now

I have a Hardy Rifle Engineering carbon fiber wrapped barrel on my PRS rifle but I stil need to shoot it

[ar15barrels]

I have put a few proof barrels on receivers for people.
I have gotten several comments that they wander just like a skinny barrel as soon as they heat up.
On a hunting rifle, this is not a concern.
I would not recommend them for a target rifle.

It's interesting to note that proof sponsored shooters usually do not use the carbon wrapped barrels on their match guns.
There is probably a reason for that.

[Kingair001]

It's interesting to note that proof sponsored shooters usually do not use the carbon wrapped barrels on their match guns.
There is probably a reason for that.

Correct Randal !

[Wren1911]

I have put a few proof barrels on receivers for people.
I have gotten several comments that they wander just like a skinny barrel as soon as they heat up.
On a hunting rifle, this is not a concern.
I would not recommend them for a target rifle.

It's interesting to note that proof sponsored shooters usually do not use the carbon wrapped barrels on their match guns.
There is probably a reason for that.

Any recommendations on a prefit?Or can you do a custom barrel for a RPR?

[damon1272]

I have put a few proof barrels on receivers for people.
I have gotten several comments that they wander just like a skinny barrel as soon as they heat up.
On a hunting rifle, this is not a concern.
I would not recommend them for a target rifle.

It's interesting to note that proof sponsored shooters usually do not use the carbon wrapped barrels on their match guns.
There is probably a reason for that.

Randal,
Good to know. Was considering a proof barrel for a 6.5 creed more build. Time to lift more weights.

[Vigilante]

I have gotten several comments that they wander just like a skinny barrel as soon as they heat up.

That's interesting, because I've seen the opposite. My sample size is small, 3 Sendero-Light contour barrels, but they have all hammered out decent 10 shot groups, anywhere from sub-MOA to about 2". OK, 2" isn't super impressive, but that gun has a 26" barrel chambered in .300 Mag, and those 10 shot groups were consecutive shots with no cooling in between.

[CRTguns]

here's just one more instance where a nicely contoured, button rifled and hand lapped chrome-moly barrel outshoots a PROOF: (the CMV barrel is onle 3.5 ounces heavier...and 1/3 the price)

https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/b-m-f-cobalt-kinetics-team-eclipse-ar-15s-full-review/

[Jimmy's]

The Carbon wrap is a gimmick!

[Kingair001]

The Carbon wrap is a gimmick!

For competition . . . perhaps

But for a hunting rifle . . .

[Jimmy's]

The Carbon wrap is a gimmick!

For competition . . . perhaps

But for a hunting rifle . . .

Absolutely not needed. Some may want it but there are other ways to trim fat and they all cost way less.

[Kingair001]

Absolutely not needed. Some may want it but there are other ways to trim fat and they all cost way less.

Why not ?

Let people experiment and if it works . . . good for all of us

Or at least for the ones who want to spent the money

[Rocketman99]

I have gotten several comments that they wander just like a skinny barrel as soon as they heat up.

And this was my concern. They claim no POI shift after shooting strings and that the carbon helps distribute the heat more evenly to allow for less POI shift and faster cool down. Interesting your customers are saying the opposite of what Proof states.

[Vigilante]

here's just one more instance where a nicely contoured, button rifled and hand lapped chrome-moly barrel outshoots a PROOF: (the CMV barrel is onle 3.5 ounces heavier...and 1/3 the price)

https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/b-m...s-full-review/

That's not exactly definitive evidence. The guy shot one load through the guns, and the steel barrel shot only slightly better, and I mean slightly. A true test would include several factory loads and maybe even some handloads. He also acted like the Black Hills load that he tested was something special and would produce guaranteed excellent groups. I've had guns that shot 2" 3-shot groups @ 100 yards with BH match ammo, but the same guns could shoot well under 1" with other factory loads. I'm not saying that I dislike BH ammo, because I do like BH, but accuracy with factory ammo is never a slam dunk.