Proof Research barrels... input?

[bug_eyedmonster]

Hey All,


I'm planning to build my next hunting rifle as a custom rifle, which means I have a bit more freedom as to what barrel to run. I've been seeing some interesting claims from Proof regarding their carbon fiber barrels and wanted to see if anyone here has any actual feedback. This will be chambered in 7mm rem mag, and I want to keep as much of the weight down as possible, which is why I was looking at a Proof barrel instead of a light contour barrel from one of the traditional makers. Thanks in advance!


Jerry

[Gofasterdammit]

You cannot go wrong with a Proof carbon fiber or steel barrel. You get what you pay for. Call them an talk to Monty, he will help you out! I've got one on order for a 6 Creedmoor competition build and it will not be treated nicely at all.

[bug_eyedmonster]

My gunsmith has been recently using their stuff, but I was hoping to find someone that has some serious experience with them... I understand you get what you pay for, but with newer companies, problems may not rise until after it's been in the field for some time. I just don't want any surprises.


Jerry

[Gofasterdammit]

Call Monty. Proof is not new to the game. Rifle barrels for sporting rifles is only a small part of their business.

[bug_eyedmonster]

Gotcha! I dont think I need to call them, I read reviews and saw videos with testimonies to their products. I just wanted to see if anyone here has actual experiences with them. Not a big deal, I can just pick my gunsmith's brain a bit more before ordering.


Jerry

[KillZone45]

Going to run one of their CF barrels for an AR and bolt action build in the future. I have been hearing good things and they look absolutely trick!

[killshot44]

Couple that barrel with a titanium action from these guys to make a super lightweight hunter.

http://www.x-tremeshooting.com/index.php?page=X-Treme%20Ti

[bsumoba]

i almost made a lightweight gun for myself...then i remembered i dont hunt

But...if I were to hunt, a proof barrel and deviant or titanium action with a manners carbon barrel would've been the ticket for me.

[bug_eyedmonster]

Going to run one of their CF barrels for an AR and bolt action build in the future. I have been hearing good things and they look absolutely trick!

I hope that's the case! These things aren't cheap by any means.

Couple that barrel with a titanium action from these guys to make a super lightweight hunter.
http://www.x-tremeshooting.com/index...e=X-Treme%20Ti

I saw the link and had to immediately inquire with my gunsmith before even replying, thanks for the awesome find!!!

i almost made a lightweight gun for myself...then i remembered i dont hunt

But...if I were to hunt, a proof barrel and deviant or titanium action with a manners carbon barrel would've been the ticket for me.

Great minds think alike!

[bsumoba]

Great minds think alike!

Would you have built yours in 7 SAUM or 284 Shehane also? because that would have been the caliber I chose...

[bug_eyedmonster]

Would you have built yours in 7 SAUM or 284 Shehane also? because that would have been the caliber I chose...

Unfortunately, no. My choice is stil the 7mm Rem Mag... close enough

Jerry

[bug_eyedmonster]

Couple that barrel with a titanium action from these guys to make a super lightweight hunter.
http://www.x-tremeshooting.com/index...e=X-Treme%20Ti

I went to take a look at one, Marc has one at his shop he is working on and said I could come check it out. From what I gather, he does not recommend this for a couple of reasons. First, for a short action or non-belted cartridge, it would most likely be fine, but for the 7mm, it's right on the margin where he would not recommend it. There is a substantial difference in weight for sure, but I didn't get a chance to put it on a scale. Its too bad, that would have been perfect to use!!!


Jerry

[calaveras]

Hopefully Randall jumps in here with some advice, I know that he knows this subject matter well.

I have heard problems with heat dissipation. Carbon fiber does not conduct heat away from the barrel well, so extended strings of fire can cause the barrel to get far too hot. For a hunting rifle, this may not be a concern.

[calaveras]

Here we go, dug up the old thread:

... in my experience, carbon barrels will generally have similar accuracy to a barrel equal to the steel part of the carbon barrel.
The problem with carbon wrapped barrels is that the steel part expands more than the carbon part so as soon as they heat up, they lose the benefit of the carbon and begin to act just like the thin barrel that's inside.

Now, if the barrel inside is a really nice and straight one, you might not get the typical thermal drift.
However, if the barrel inside has some curvature in it like most barrels, then you will get the typical featherweight thermal drift and group sizes that open up notable from shot #3 and beyond.

Just for fun, start marking your shot numbers on every group.
As you shoot each shot, record where each shot went and then go mark the shots on the target when you retrieve it.

An example:


Shoot 5 round groups.
What you should watch for is the later shots to be the shots that are effecting your group size.
Experience with how fast/much you shoot the barrel will teach you what the limitations are when you start tracking individual shots.

Another thing you could do is to shoot 5 rounds at a time on this target, 1 shot per dot:
www.caprc.com/targets/10dot.pdf

Original Post

[killshot44]

Jerry,
They make bigger actions for those cartridges, a little more $ but made for the difference.

Calaveras, it's a known trade off. No free lunch anywhere.