Proof sendero light vs #3 brux

Building a 7mm mashburn and can't decide on whether to try out a proof barrel or stick with the Brux #3. Gun is going to be used from antelope to elk and will be packed a lot. And advantage to going with the sendero light or should I save the extra cash

I have a #3 fluted Brux on my light weight 270 ss and it shoots great at 21"

I have a 26" Proof Sendero Light on my .280AI it is shoots phenomenally.
But then again, I have a 25.5" Bartlein #3B fluted on my 6.5SS that shoots just as well.
And another two Proof on a 6CM (24") and 6.5 SLR (22") that shoot in the high .1s to low .2s also.
And another 26" Bartlein #3B fluted on a 7RM that shoots .2s.
And a 28" Rock Creek Heavy Varmint fluted in .300RUM that shoots .2s.

What I am saying is, any good quality barrel will shoot very well with proper handloads and lots of practice.

I have both of these barrels on two lightweight rifles. Both have trued Remington 700 actions and are bedded into McMillan Game Scout stocks. Both are great rifles; however, the one with the Brux barrel is the most accurate rifle I own. I ultimately built the rifle with the Proof because I want to run that one suppressed and the profile is more suited for that purpose.

I don't know how they compare for weight, but if they weigh about the same, why spend the extra money on the Proof CF barrel?

If you're just kind of looking for a good excuse to get a Proof CF barrel, then just do it, because if you don't, you'll always wished you had.

But, I wouldn't go with a Proof over a Brux because you thought Proof was a better barrel. Both are cut rifled barrels and both are premium quality barrels, so neither is really going to be any better quality than the other.

Suppressor?
Yes = proof
No = Brux

Proof will probably be a touch lighter. My 24" sendero 6.5 is 2lbs 14ounces. I'd imagine depending on length you'll be about 2.5 and the brux will be around 3.

I like my proof but I can't decide between a carbon and a brux #2 for my next shorty build, so I'm kind of in the same situation. I will say I think carbon barrels look better than skinny barrels.

jmcmath said:

I will say I think carbon barrels look better than skinny barrels.

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Same here.

In fact, me personally, the only value I really find in CF wrapped barrels, is their aesthetics. I like how they look and think they look better with a can or even a muzzle brake, but I don't really buy into any of the marketing sales pitch that goes along with them. I just put a Proof CF barrel on my Seekins SP10, not because I think it was a better barrel than another I could have used, but because I like how they look.

If you like how they look and you don't mind spending the extra few hundred dollars they cost over an all steel barrel, I think you should get one.

My 300 Win Mag has a #3 Brux and shoots great. Only downside is finding a brake with the small muzzle diameter.

I used Proof sendero on my 300wm and 6.5 builds. I personally like the look of heavier contour barrels, but didn't want the weight. Figured it saved me at least 2 pounds. Weight savings is a plus, but I really love the look of the CF wrap.

Patton63 said:

I have both of these barrels on two lightweight rifles. Both have trued Remington 700 actions and are bedded into McMillan Game Scout stocks. Both are great rifles; however, the one with the Brux barrel is the most accurate rifle I own. I ultimately built the rifle with the Proof because I want to run that one suppressed and the profile is more suited for that purpose.

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Just curious about how much trouble it was squeezing that Proof barrel into the Game Scout stock. McMillan and several gunsmiths said no to this idea.

A Sendero Lite fits in a Game Scout. For a standard Sendero you'd need a Game Warden unless you want the edges of the stock paper thin at the end of the forend.

vancewalker007 said:

Just curious about how much trouble it was squeezing that Proof barrel into the Game Scout stock. McMillan and several gunsmiths said no to this idea.

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McMillan lists the largest contour as a Douglas #4 for the Game Scout. Sendero Lite is still a bit larger than a Douglas #4. I'd listen to the Gunsmiths and find a different stock if you want a Proof.

Personally I'd run a standard proof sendero, nothing lighter in contour unless it's 20" or less. Alex Wheeler did a deflection test on quite a few different contours at 26" length by hanging a 10# weight from the muzzle. The light sendero had the most from what I recall, a #3 steel profile had quite less. However this doesn't have an affect on a barrels accuracy potential, just makes finding the nodes of optimal barrel timing a bit more challenging. If ounces are under a microscope, go with the sendero lite, or have the #3 fluted by twisted barrel.