Is a proof research barrel worth it?

adam32 said:
MRI...Christensen...Frozen Fiber...CarbonSix...Bettin/Satern...

There are a lot of carbon barrel makers these days...all cheaper than Proof, except Hardy, they are the same or a bit more I believe.

Again, nothing wrong with Proof, but I would personally never spend that much on a single barrel when others can do the same thing for much less.
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Um I would say that we should actually look at the prices before we make comments like that. A proof blank is $792 from Stocky's, carbon six is $695 and Christensen is $600. Are these less than a Proof? Yes, but nowhere near half the cost you are speaking of. Also you KNOW what you are going to get with proof and for me that's worth the extra $100-200.
 
bigngreen said:
The Hardy is $1250, Carbon six is $695, Christensen is $600, Proof $792. Proof may be the only cut rifled barrel which tends to be a selling point to me and worth the money, Proof builds a LOT of barrels both steel and carbon and they shoot consistently barrel for barrel. I view barrel shopping as shopping for quality and process not price, I've gone the cheap route a few times and in the end I spend more time screwing around in the lathe because the bores are variable or the land heights are wonky or having to cut back to crown on a tight spot, the barrel is thee heart of an accurate rifle and the last place to save money!!!!
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MRI is $500...FF is about the same.

MRI still has the best wrapping technique.

Again, I just personally will never buy one for that price when it doesn't do anything better then any others, especially when they are the heaviest of the bunch and usually when building with a carbon barrel weight is the main reason for the build.

The last barrel we wrapped ourselves was under 2 lbs ready to shoot.

If you want a cut rifle carbon then buy a Bartlein and send it to Chris to wrap...you won't be disappointed... ;)
 
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midnightmalloy said:
Um I would say that we should actually look at the prices before we make comments like that. A proof blank is $792 from Stocky's, carbon six is $695 and Christensen is $600. Are these less than a Proof? Yes, but nowhere near half the cost you are speaking of. Also you KNOW what you are going to get with proof and for me that's worth the extra $100-200.
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I won't say who or what company but I can get carbon barrels for under $400. That is basically half price of Proof and they are LIGHTER and shoot just as well.

The Carbon Six for $695 is pre-threaded and chambered I believe?

It's fine if you guys needs to justify to yourselves for overspending on a barrel, doesn't matter one bit to me... ;)
 
Yeah, that sounds like a road full of potholes and speed bumps. If anything goes awry, there's too many players to assign fault.
In the end, no one's responsible for any of their products, or work.
 
An extra $100-200 for a proven barrel in a $3k plus custom build isn't enough to take a chance on in my opinion. We are splitting hairs at that point. Chris' stuff from frozen fiber is good also. I'm not knocking ANY other of these options just saying that proof is a proven performer and it's in the same price range of all the other carbon barrels. If I were to try to save money I would just go with a steel barrel from a good manufacturer.
 
I wouldn't say that proof is a proven performer. I have talked to at least 2 very good smiths that had to send proof barrels back because they wouldn't shoot. They have got better within the last year, but they are far from having a flawless record. I have a Hell's Canyon Armory carbon barrel. It's a Rock Creek blank. He is also using Benchmark as well.
 

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