+Peak Creedmoor Considerations

[omicron1792]

Does anyone know when Proof will make a PXT barrel in 6mm? Is there a reason why they're releasing pretty much every caliber except 6mm, or am I missing something out there?

Also, do you know of any other manufacturers that are going to be releasing the same style barrels? I'm assuming Proof is just first to market on this other than the Seekins barrel? The last 5 barrels I've bought have all been Bartlein, so I'm wondering if they're working on anything new and improved compared to their gain-twist models as well?

Google search shows bartlein has been doing gain twist barrels for a long time. Looks like there have been periods where interest picks up and when it wanes. The change to high pressure rounds seems like an uptick in interest.

 

[KeepHammering]

Yeah, I think they do like a 15 or 20 twist as a starter and bring it into the final twist, but the PXT I think is more like a 1:500 twist to start with. The higher pressures and exponential twist combo certainly does seem like peanut butter and jelly. I'm assuming all the manufacturers will get on board at some point if it truly makes a difference like the marketing says it does, but I'm curious who is all working on new products and when they'll be available.

It's really nice when things get momentum like this. Technology Stacking at its finest!

 

[omicron1792]

Yeah, I think they do like a 15 or 20 twist as a starter and bring it into the final twist, but the PXT I think is more like a 1:500 twist to start with. The higher pressures and exponential twist combo certainly does seem like peanut butter and jelly. I'm assuming all the manufacturers will get on board at some point if it truly makes a difference like the marketing says it does, but I'm curious who is all working on new products and when they'll be available.

It's really nice when things get momentum like this. Technology Stacking at its finest!

What’s the price on the pxt barrels? If they last twice as long but cost twice as much it’s a wash.

 

[KeepHammering]

What’s the price on the pxt barrels? If they last twice as long but cost twice as much it’s a wash.

I've heard that there is an accuracy/performance increase with PXT barrels, but maybe that's marketing hype? Also, if you're reloading, you'd have to factor in the cost of load development for 2 new barrels in lieu of one as well.

 

[bnewt3]

What’s the price on the pxt barrels? If they last twice as long but cost twice as much it’s a wash.

I *think* someone said $80 more?

 

[Treelineasassin]

I know proof started this project in 2024, so it took them a while to get to their level of finished product. I believe special rifling machines were needed to be able to execute the wild twist change.

Don't expect every barrel manufacture to jump on board till all this washes out. It might be a fad, it might be the next generation, unknown at this point. These machines are very pricey, and companies likely won't get on board until a known demand is there. My thoughts on the subject.

 

[bnewt3]

I know proof started this project in 2024, so it took them a while to get to their level of finished product. I believe special rifling machines were needed to be able to execute the wild twist change.

Don't expect every barrel manufacture to jump on board till all this washes out. It might be a fad, it might be the next generation, unknown at this point. These machines are very pricey, and companies likely won't get on board until a known demand is there. My thoughts on the subject.

IDK how they are doing it.

The method that makes the most sense to me is electrochemical machining, load the blanks, load the program and let it go. I *think* it would be the most reliable, repeatable method with the fewest question marks.

But i think its fairly new for rifling so like I said IDK how they do it.

I know Carbon Six/McGowen is using it.

 

[JohnJohnson]

How do you guys think +Peak will work with Tikka actions? I've seen a fair number of guys who reload say that their Tikkas tend to show pressure signs before their custom R700 clone actions. I know that the +Peak concept shouldn't add any more bolt thrust but under adverse conditions I imagine it has the potential to.

 

[Frozenlead]

Yeah, I think they do like a 15 or 20 twist as a starter and bring it into the final twist, but the PXT I think is more like a 1:500 twist to start with. The higher pressures and exponential twist combo certainly does seem like peanut butter and jelly. I'm assuming all the manufacturers will get on board at some point if it truly makes a difference like the marketing says it does, but I'm curious who is all working on new products and when they'll be available.

It's really nice when things get momentum like this. Technology Stacking at its finest!

IBI barrels has started putting out some gain twist stuff recently up here. Doesn’t look to be anything crazy yet , maybe .5-1 variance in twist rate. Button rifled barrels, so maybe that’s the limiting factor.

 

[Treelineasassin]

How do you guys think +Peak will work with Tikka actions? I've seen a fair number of guys who reload say that their Tikkas tend to show pressure signs before their custom R700 clone actions. I know that the +Peak concept shouldn't add any more bolt thrust but under adverse conditions I imagine it has the potential to.

80k psi on a standard bolt face is about equal to 64k psi on a magnum bolt face, thrust wise. I think a Tikka will be okay. I have saw some Tikka 7 backcountry builds, so it's already been done a few times at least.

 

[TradLife406]

16" 22 creed sling 88 tmks is no joke, just saying. If it's legal where you're at.

 

[omicron1792]

Google history of gain twist barrels. They have been doing it a long time. Early muskets and rifles were all gain twist.

It looks like bartlein and others were doing it 10-15 years ago and some shooters ordered custom gain twist from them. From my reading it seems like the supposed gains really weren’t there compared to the cost of manufacturing gain twist.

 

[bnewt3]

Google history of gain twist barrels. They have been doing it a long time. Early muskets and rifles were all gain twist.

It looks like bartlein and others were doing it 10-15 years ago and some shooters ordered custom gain twist from them. From my reading it seems like the supposed gains really weren’t there compared to the cost of manufacturing gain twist.

From my understanding, all of the old implementations of it were pretty conservative, not the extreme that Proof is doing by starting in the 1:300-1:500 range.


Add to that PXT has a much less disruptive rifling profile.

Sounds to me like it just wasnt taken far enough in the past.

 

[omicron1792]

From my understanding, all of the old implementations of it were pretty conservative, not the extreme that Proof is doing by starting in the 1:300-1:500 range.


Add to that PXT has a much less disruptive rifling profile.

Sounds to me like it just wasnt taken far enough in the past.

Looks like pxt cost is roughly double that of regular proof barrel. So it will come down to if there is an accuracy or velocity benefit with these barrels, over just longevity.

 

[handwerk]

It seems to me the regular proof CF mat is about $900 and the PXT are about $1100 from what I’ve seen.

 

[KeepHammering]

Maybe I missed it above, or am missing it online, but does anyone know why Proof doesn't have a 6mm PXT option?

 

[jimh406]

Obviously, nobody on Rockslide needs anything bigger than 5.56/.223.

However, from what I've read/heard, 6.5 CM +Peak would be a very good choice because of the large number of rifles available and the choice to use +Peak or not. There are quite a few people who say the 6.5 CM is inherently one of the most accurate rounds, but that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who knows the history of the round.

I found the Vortex podcast with Federal guys very good including how to reload the cases.

 

[Ajsomp]

A 16” 6.5 creedmoor shooting the 153 plus peak is going to be a great option. Yes, 6 and 22 creed feel like laser beams recoil wise, but that paired with a 223 shooting similar cased tech you are probably covering all bases for the foreseeable future.

I likely won’t cut my 18” 6.5 creedmoor down to 16”, but when it’s shot out my next pick up is a take off tikka 6.5 barrel cut to 16”

 

[peaceful_ruler]

A 16” 6.5 creedmoor shooting the 153 plus peak is going to be a great option. Yes, 6 and 22 creed feel like laser beams recoil wise, but that paired with a 223 shooting similar cased tech you are probably covering all bases for the foreseeable future.

I likely won’t cut my 18” 6.5 creedmoor down to 16”, but when it’s shot out my next pick up is a take off tikka 6.5 barrel cut to 16”

I’ve always thought the 6.5 CM needed about 100 fps more to be a legit long range hunting cartridge. An 18” with + Peak would be right there….

 

[Ajsomp]

I’ve always thought the 6.5 CM needed about 100 fps more to be a legit long range hunting cartridge. An 18” with + Peak would be right there….

I ran the numbers at a few DAs- 18” barrel I assumed 2900 FPS MV.

-1000 DA gets you 810 yards before 1800 FPS

4000 DA gets you 940 yards

7000 DA gets you 1030 yards

that’s much further than 99.9% of people should be shooting at animals. I’m sure you could bump those MV numbers down but regardless, I think 16-18” is the ticket for hunting.

For long range shooting - it’s gonna be great for that.