Proof vs Christensen Carbon
- Thread starter Reload10
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
Longtooth32
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2015
- Messages
- 591
I just got my first Proof Research carbon in 6.5x284. Savage pre-fit. At first I thought I was going to crush the carbon fiber in the barrel vise...no such luck. That carbon is strong.
I put 100 rounds of fast 140gr bullets (Nosler 140 RDF and Berger 140 EOL, RL26) down the barrel. No break in...I then cleaned the barrel after those first 100 rounds.
There was very little copper in the barrel. I am assuming that the barrel was machined very well...
The barrel barely got warm. Seems to run cooler than my metal barrels...
I put 100 rounds of fast 140gr bullets (Nosler 140 RDF and Berger 140 EOL, RL26) down the barrel. No break in...I then cleaned the barrel after those first 100 rounds.
There was very little copper in the barrel. I am assuming that the barrel was machined very well...
The barrel barely got warm. Seems to run cooler than my metal barrels...
Do you think the carbon dissipated the heat or just insulated it from reaching the surface?
Longtooth32
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2015
- Messages
- 591
There is something on Proof Research's website, that I believe it says that it cools the barrel better because how the carbon is wrapped.
I was shooting five shot strings and the barrel never got very hot...
If the carbon wrap cools the barrel better, then the exterior of the barrel should warm to the touch more quickly. Because heat from the bore would transfer thru the steel barrel, and then thru the carbon wrapping, at a higher/faster rate.
I've not invested the time to research the claims that the carbon wraps cool the barrel faster than a simple steel barrel. Because I don't own any carbon wrapped barrels.
I will say I remain WAY skeptical of those claims.
Fire 100 high pressure loads at a steady rate over a short period of time and the barrel should be HOT, if the barrel transfers heat from inside to outside more quickly than a plain-Jane steel barrel.
Makes no sense whatsoever, to anyone with some education in the principles of heat transfer.
I've not invested the time to research the claims that the carbon wraps cool the barrel faster than a simple steel barrel. Because I don't own any carbon wrapped barrels.
I will say I remain WAY skeptical of those claims.
Fire 100 high pressure loads at a steady rate over a short period of time and the barrel should be HOT, if the barrel transfers heat from inside to outside more quickly than a plain-Jane steel barrel.
Makes no sense whatsoever, to anyone with some education in the principles of heat transfer.
Last edited:
The only reason I'd ever consider a carbon wrapped barrel is for weight reduction.
I'd have to see something more believable than pixie dust before I'd give any credibility to benefits of greater rates of heat transfer.
The issue should be as simple to settle as the R-value of the carbon, in the radial direction, is less than the R-value of the steel barrel.
If the explanation needs to be much more complicated than that, then it's quickly leading to hocus pocus.
I'd have to see something more believable than pixie dust before I'd give any credibility to benefits of greater rates of heat transfer.
The issue should be as simple to settle as the R-value of the carbon, in the radial direction, is less than the R-value of the steel barrel.
If the explanation needs to be much more complicated than that, then it's quickly leading to hocus pocus.
Nice going phorwath. Now you officially hijacked the thread, LOL. But for the record, I agree with you. Sorry OP for asking the question.
I've heard good and bad about both brands. There are other manuf out there as well with lower prices than Proof if that interests you. I don't know own any CF barrels but I know proper chambering is just as or more important than brand.
I've heard good and bad about both brands. There are other manuf out there as well with lower prices than Proof if that interests you. I don't know own any CF barrels but I know proper chambering is just as or more important than brand.
dgarrett
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2012
- Messages
- 521
I think you can flip a coin ... Both Barrels seem to be about the same these days... CA"s first try at this didn't produce that great of results... But they have changed and perfected their barrel wrapping process and have a very good barrel now.. I am having a 300 win built for my grandson right now... With a 27 inch .90 muzzle diameter CA barrel... The very best thing about the Carbon Wrapped Barrel is getting rid of the forward weight on the forearm... He is small and has arms about as big as my thumb and has trouble steadying the extra forward weight of my Accumark or Sendero...JMO Dave
Well, now that I can claim at least one accomplishment for the day, I can let down and relax for the remainder of it...But only after adding this thought. I think either brand is likely to insulate the exterior of the barrel better than a plain steel barrel.
So anyone that likes to shoot at a rapid rate of fire will be less apt to suffer burn blisters with the carbon wrapped barrel - no matter the brand of manufacture...
And now ... I'm GONE!!!
Last edited:
Reload10
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2016
- Messages
- 127
Thanks for all the reply's. Since this is a hunting rifle, I'm not to concerned about long strings of fire and the barrel heating rapidly or slowly.
Like stated earlier, my main concern is cold bore vs warm bore accuracy. Right now, the only rifle I have that shoots the same cold bore as warm is a Rock River 308 with a heavy 20" barrel. Most can see that rifle is not conducive to hunting!
I took the barrel off the donor action tonight. The pre-fit Proof's look better and better.
Like stated earlier, my main concern is cold bore vs warm bore accuracy. Right now, the only rifle I have that shoots the same cold bore as warm is a Rock River 308 with a heavy 20" barrel. Most can see that rifle is not conducive to hunting!
I took the barrel off the donor action tonight. The pre-fit Proof's look better and better.
middleofnowhere
Well-Known Member
I don't know which manufacturer is better.
Plain Carbon/Epoxy wrapped barrels do not conduct heat as well as steel. Contact with air is what cools a barrl. As a result, the carbon fiber acts as an insulation for the steel liner of a carbon wrapped barrel. The steel liner of the carbon barrel may actually cool slower or reach a higher temperature than an all steel barrel.
Plain Carbon/Epoxy wrapped barrels do not conduct heat as well as steel. Contact with air is what cools a barrl. As a result, the carbon fiber acts as an insulation for the steel liner of a carbon wrapped barrel. The steel liner of the carbon barrel may actually cool slower or reach a higher temperature than an all steel barrel.
RockyMtnMT
Official LRH Sponsor
I only have experience with the Proofs. 3 of them, so not a lot. I can't compare them for you but can say that I was very impresswd with the Proof. I was very skeptical given the price and frankly thought a guy had to have more money than sense to get one. Like Phorwath I am not too sure if the barrel is insulated or if it dissipates heat. I have come to the conclusion that whatever it does it does it well. The three barrels that I have delt with shot very well cold or hot. They handle extremely well and balance nicer than a steel barrel. I will be building one for myself this spring. Eating crow is best with some seasoning. Can't wait to get mine.
Steve
Steve
Would you give some specifics about "balance nicer".
