Fluted Bartlein vs Proof Research sendero contours

What would you do? Building a backpacking hunting rifle/general long range but ok with it not being CRAZY light since I'd rather pack a little weight than a mule that's going to beat me up.

26 inch barrel

I'm thinking a fluted bartlein sendero contour is going to run around 3.8-4 pounds since they list a non fluted as 4.5

Proof barrel around 3 pounds?
Appears proof sendero will be a little thicker since it's more of an m24 actual size

If anyone has experience with Hardy barrels seem to be same price as Proof.

Manners eh1a will be 3 pounds
Axiom action

jmcmath said:

What would you do? Building a backpacking hunting rifle/general long range...

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Prior to a couple of years ago, I was in the camp that favored the slightly heavier rifle even though it was a little more of a burden trying to negotiate the mountainous areas of the Southwest. But the last few years have brought some excellent, lighter weight components onto the firearms market so I'm beginning to modify how I build for some of the folks who want or need less of a burden while still climbing up and down the more difficult terrain.

Tom Manners has contributed significantly with his lightweight but stiff carbon fiber stocks. Your suggested EH1A is the adjustable variation of the stock I end up using most frequently, the EH1. I've also spent quite a bit of time working with the Proof Research barrels for both bolt rifles and the AR platforms. My only hesitation here is the fact that I have had such excellent results from the Bartlein barrels in every caliber and cartridge that I've used in any build. So rather than attempt to use just the carbon fiber or fluting to save a little bit of weight, I've started using some of the smaller contours and shortening the barrel length a little. I don't go smaller than their #3 contour but the weight savings when compared to my once normal #10 light Palma or a modified #13 in a 26" finished length.

Now I'm concentrating on the #3 Bartlein at 24" finished plus a brake if requested. Sometimes I'll dip below 24" down to 22" if I can justify the cartridge/bullet combination in a shorter barrel. I've gone as short as 18" when chambering for a .308 Win. The EH1 stocks are configured for ADL, to eliminate bottom metal. I do splurge a little by including several flush cups to allow for a variety of carry positions.

I'm not yet convinced to convert over to Titanium actions but the new Bordon and Pierce action are having a definite affect on my thinking.

My personal experiment involves a larger than standard cartridge, the 7mm-300 Norma Magnum so this won't be the ultimate in light weight, although it is significantly lighter than what I normally carry:

EH1 ADL stock
Borden Titanium action
Bartlein 7mm #3 5R SS 28" finished
Trigger Tech trigger
Talley Alloy mounts
Swarovski Optik Z5 3.5-18X44 (BRX reticle)

It looks like right around 8 lbs. finished. It beats the daylights out the 12-14 lbs. I've been carrying...

Enjoy the process!

I would probably do it this way:
* Look at the cartridge and barrel length required for it
* Decide the ideal weight and balance for you and your hunting situations
* Set a budget for the project
* Pick components that fit those objectives within the budget

For example, with the lighter proof barrel, you may be able to justify that slightly heavier scope with larger front objective. Or go Bartlein and put more dollars on the scope.

Both barrels have cut rifling and I think either would provide outstanding accuracy.

Is it a light weight backpack hunting rifle or a combo LW Hunting rifle/LR paper puncher? I just completed a 6.5 SAUM with a Bartlien 2B, with medium spiral flutes (Carl Kampfield).....weight is just under 3 lbs. GAP did the barreling. It shoots 1/4 MOA. Unless you are going to be shooting a lot of repeat shots (competition, etc.), not sure why people frown on the 2, 2b, and 3 contours.....I have a few now and all shoot as well as my heavier contours, for a hunting application.

My vote is go light and put a good brake on it. The Christensen Slayer is amazing. I have been shooting rifles in the 8.75lbs range minus bipod this year and I do not see myself going back to a heavier rifle. My rifles are 30 Nolsers and 28 Noslers. I am just starting to shoot a 8lbs Tikka Creedmoor and I love it.

Proof makes the "sendero light." It's closer to the Remington Sendero contour and shaves a few ounces of the regular Proof Sendero.

It will be my general fancy long range workhorse as well as a long range hunting rifle.

Since I want to shoot it general long range and maybe a competition or two I don't want to go too light on the barrel.

I liked the weight of the proof sendero, but it's 200 more than a fluted bartlein sendero that might come close in weight while both contours should give me a little more room to work with thickness/repeated shots wise. Most people seem to be happy with proof, but pretty much everyone seems to be a bartlein fan. Gain twist seems interesting as well.

7 Sherman Shortmag
26 inches
1 in 8 twist

I have fluted 3Bs on 4 builds. I think it's a very good compromise weight. All are pillar bedded EH-1s and all shoot 1/4 to 3/8 moa. I ordered a 280a.i. for a son, in the Christensen Ridgeline, just to see how it performs. Time will tell, if it will shoot vs the Bartleins.

A carbon wrapped barrel is a pencil barrel with an insulator wrapped around it. They get very hot inside and should be treated like a thin barrel. The stiffness they add is not as much as you would think and stiff does not equal accuracy anyhow. Aside from wanting to run a fatter stock I would always go with a steel barrel of smaller contour. Flutes and carbon are for looks, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just know what your buying.

Alex Wheeler said:

A carbon wrapped barrel is a pencil barrel with an insulator wrapped around it. They get very hot inside and should be treated like a thin barrel. The stiffness they add is not as much as you would think and stiff does not equal accuracy anyhow. Aside from wanting to run a fatter stock I would always go with a steel barrel of smaller contour. Flutes and carbon are for looks, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just know what your buying.

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Ya know, I have seen people say this. I've also seen people say when done correctly it does the opposite. With the conductivity of carbon fiber it's plausible to me that it can in fact do it.

Without literally using one unfortunately everything written about that topic to me is unconfirmed hearsay. I've read lots of stuff online and plenty were true, plenty was people talking about something they heard or even lying.

I'm not trying to be rude at all so I'm sorry if it comes off that way! Mostly saying well this internet person said this but the other internet person said that. Unfortunately I can't really believe either one.

Have you personally used a proof barrel that did this? I'd love to know this because it's significant

I chamber them all the time. But have never personally owned one. I have worked with them at the range. I do not think Proof would deny this if you got the right guy on the phone. They are meant to be light, and stiff for their weight, and they are. Just research carbon fiber in epoxy and its thermal conductivity properties. Heres a link, its the first that came up, its never a good idea to blindly listen to anything you read on forums. http://www.christinedemerchant.com/carbon_characteristics_heat_conductivity.html
I think they look cool, if a guy likes how they look and wants to use one theres nothing wrong with that.

Alex Wheeler said:

I chamber them all the time. But have never personally owned one. I have worked with them at the range. I do not think Proof would deny this if you got the right guy on the phone. They are meant to be light, and stiff for their weight, and they are. Just research carbon fiber in epoxy and its thermal conductivity properties. Heres a link, its the first that came up, its never a good idea to blindly listen to anything you read on forums. http://www.christinedemerchant.com/carbon_characteristics_heat_conductivity.html
I think they look cool, if a guy likes how they look and wants to use one theres nothing wrong with that.

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Thanks for your input and info. It's interesting that anyone at proof would say their barrels are hotter from the carbon since that is one of their major points of interest that it's the opposite.

Unfortunately I can't seem to find info of an actual barrel and temperature reading of the throat and inside compared to steel barrels.

Since I'm a scientist by trade maybe I need to get both and do it myself.

jmcmath said:

I'm not trying to be rude at all so I'm sorry if it comes off that way! Mostly saying well this internet person said this but the other internet person said that.

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Only 10% of what you read on the internet is true. The other %100 is all fake. That is a fact.

jmcmath said:

Unfortunately I can't seem to find info of an actual barrel and temperature reading of the throat and inside compared to steel barrels.

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Hard to do.