Preferred Barrels Carbon Thoughts?

[rootacres]

I’m in the market for a carbon barrel, maybe two. I’ve always used PROOF in the past. The last time I needed one was a couple years ago. What’s everyone’s thoughts on these preferred? Or others? Thanks

 

[HandgunHTR]

I like Preferred as a barrel maker, but not a CF fan myself. The part that matters is going to be solid from them however.

 

[UnckleBob]

I like Preferred as a barrel maker, but not a CF fan myself. The part that matters is going to be solid from them however.

I have one of their steel barrels, but I doubt they have the volume to justify making their own CF barrels. They are probably simply reselling them made by someone else. Who knows how good the barrel maker is?

 

[wind gypsy]

I have one of their steel barrels, but I doubt they have the volume to justify making their own CF barrels. They are probably simply reselling them made by someone else. Who knows how good the barrel maker is?

As to the OP, I’ve no first hand experience but the idea of taking a price point barrel that I’ve read about a fair number of unhappy customers from and then paying the another $350 to increase the chances of fooking up a decent blank by making it really thin and wrapping it with carbon is not appealing.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I have Proof, Hells Canyon Armory and Carbon Six barrels. They are all shooters.


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[BigStick]

Pass the Real Deal and hold The Fluff..............

 

[UnckleBob]

View attachment 625916

As to the OP, I’ve no first hand experience but the idea of taking a price point barrel that I’ve read about a fair number of unhappy customers from and then paying the another $350 to increase the chances of fooking up a decent blank by making it really thin and wrapping it with carbon is not appealing.

That doesn't mean much. Weatherby has been selling "their own" ammo for decades. They buy their brass from others and their name is stamped on it.

It is not a problem if they (or anyone) sources things from others. In the case of PBB, I would rather find out they did a bulk buy from an established carbon blank maker rather than try to learn how to do it correctly.

 

[HandgunHTR]

That doesn't mean much. Weatherby has been selling "their own" ammo for decades. They buy their brass from others and their name is stamped on it.

It is not a problem if they (or anyone) sources things from others. In the case of PBB, I would rather find out they did a bulk buy from an established carbon blank maker rather than try to learn how to do it correctly.

They make their own barrels. They may not wrap the carbon themselves, but contouring and cutting the rifling they do themselves and have since they started making barrels for TC Encores and Contenders under the name Virgin Valley, which then became Match Grade Machine (which still exists), and then spun off to make bolt rifle barrels under the Preferred name.

As to wind gypsy's comment, I have heard some issues with chamberings on prefits, just as I have on MGM's chamberings for single shots, but have yet to have anyone who bought a blank and have it chambered and installed by their smith complain about one of their barrels not performing.

 

[wind gypsy]

That doesn't mean much. Weatherby has been selling "their own" ammo for decades. They buy their brass from others and their name is stamped on it.

It is not a problem if they (or anyone) sources things from others. In the case of PBB, I would rather find out they did a bulk buy from an established carbon blank maker rather than try to learn how to do it correctly.

Interesting take. I've never seen weatherby say "We load ammo using our own brass". It would be very odd and misleading for a company named precision barrel blanks that manufactures barrel blanks, to deliberately say "using our blanks" if they used someone else's.

The other thing is the idea that a blank manufacturer would outsource their primary business function doesn't make sense unless being sold as a different product line. A barrel core to be carbon wrapped is nothing but a different contour. Hells canyon use(d) Rock and Benchmark blanks and did the carbon wrapping, not sure what their current practice is. PVA sends their Osprey blanks to hells canyon to wrap them now. Carbon 6 uses mcgowan blanks. Bartlein, proof, and benchmark obviously use their own blanks. In none of those cases does the company that actually manufacturers the core sell someone elses blanks under their name.

 

[wind gypsy]

As to wind gypsy's comment, I have heard some issues with chamberings on prefits, just as I have on MGM's chamberings for single shots, but have yet to have anyone who bought a blank and have it chambered and installed by their smith complain about one of their barrels not performing.

The chambering issues are one thing, the other was reports of barrels dying really early or really erratic break in periods. All together it's been enough to make then unappealing to me even though there are many rightfully happy customers and i'm happy with my Arrowhead encore 45 cal smokeless barrel that is made by MGM.

 

[UnckleBob]

Interesting take. I've never seen weatherby say "We load ammo using our own brass". It would be very odd and misleading for a company named precision barrel blanks that manufactures barrel blanks, to deliberately say "using our blanks" if they used someone else's.

The other thing is the idea that a blank manufacturer would outsource their primary business function doesn't make sense unless being sold as a different product line. A barrel core to be carbon wrapped is nothing but a different contour. Hells canyon use(d) Rock and Benchmark blanks and did the carbon wrapping, not sure what their current practice is. PVA sends their Osprey blanks to hells canyon to wrap them now. Carbon 6 uses mcgowan blanks. Bartlein, proof, and benchmark obviously use their own blanks. In none of those cases does the company that actually manufacturers the core sell someone elses blanks under their name.

I guess I wasn't as clear as I intended to be with my comment.

1) I agree that PBB does use their own blanks to chamber rifle barrels. I am very satisfied with my barrel and would expect future customers for all steel barrels to get similar results.

2) As it relates to the Carbon Fiber wrapped barrels only, I would expect them to outsource the CF barrels (at least in part) to someone else ("CF Co") who specializes in CF wrapping.

- That was the main thrust of my original comment. Unless the consumer knows who does the wrapping, it is hard to judge the quality of that process.

- I hadn't considered the possibility that PBB sends its blanks to CF Co which are then wrapped around their barrel blank. I certainly agree that is possible/likely.

I apologize for the confusion.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Interesting take. I've never seen weatherby say "We load ammo using our own brass". It would be very odd and misleading for a company named precision barrel blanks that manufactures barrel blanks, to deliberately say "using our blanks" if they used someone else's.

The other thing is the idea that a blank manufacturer would outsource their primary business function doesn't make sense unless being sold as a different product line. A barrel core to be carbon wrapped is nothing but a different contour. Hells canyon use(d) Rock and Benchmark blanks and did the carbon wrapping, not sure what their current practice is. PVA sends their Osprey blanks to hells canyon to wrap them now. Carbon 6 uses mcgowan blanks. Bartlein, proof, and benchmark obviously use their own blanks. In none of those cases does the company that actually manufacturers the core sell someone elses blanks under their name.

To my knowledge HCA still uses Benchmark blanks. At least he did last year when I ordered my barrels from him.


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[vernreed]

Now that 8 months have elapsed on this thread, it's worthwhile to revisit the subject. There has been some changes in recent months. PBB has been placed under contract to provide CF barrels to Browning, so I would imagine that they did a lot of due diligence ..... and probably testing. It's July 2024 now, and I took the plunge into the shark infested waters. It will be another 10 weeks before I get the barrel, and a bit longer to break it in and provide feedback. It will be a 24 inch, Tikka T3 in 300 WSM - with GRS Bifrost stock, Tract glass, and QD suppressor.

 

[5RWill]

Now that 8 months have elapsed on this thread, it's worthwhile to revisit the subject. There has been some changes in recent months. PBB has been placed under contract to provide CF barrels to Browning, so I would imagine that they did a lot of due diligence ..... and probably testing. It's July 2024 now, and I took the plunge into the shark infested waters. It will be another 10 weeks before I get the barrel, and a bit longer to break it in and provide feedback. It will be a 24 inch, Tikka T3 in 300 WSM - with GRS Bifrost stock, Tract glass, and QD suppressor.

Any update on this?

 

[HandgunHTR]

Now that 8 months have elapsed on this thread, it's worthwhile to revisit the subject. There has been some changes in recent months. PBB has been placed under contract to provide CF barrels to Browning, so I would imagine that they did a lot of due diligence ..... and probably testing. It's July 2024 now, and I took the plunge into the shark infested waters. It will be another 10 weeks before I get the barrel, and a bit longer to break it in and provide feedback. It will be a 24 inch, Tikka T3 in 300 WSM - with GRS Bifrost stock, Tract glass, and QD suppressor.

Any update on this?

I am pretty sure it was Carbon6 that got the Browning contract, not PBB

 

[5RWill]

I am pretty sure it was Carbon6 that got the Browning contract, not PBB

Well i should’ve clarified that i meant his barrel if it shot or not.

 

[83cj-7]

My PBB Carbon barrel is in route to me right now. I should be able to provide some insight on accuracy shortly. They also did a custom freebore based on a dummy round I sent in. I will report back how it turns out.

 

[83cj-7]

Okay, I got the barrel today. My first impressions are really good. Great packing and very practical barrel break-in instructions. Overall the machine work is top-notch. I asked PBB to do a custom freebore and sent in a dummy round. They nailed it!

Got it torqued on my action and checked headspace, all good. Barrel is 18” and the weight is 2lbs 4oz.

I loaded up some ammo and will shoot it tomorrow. More to follow.

 

[5RWill]

Looks great! Looking forward to your results.

 

[waspocrew]

I purchased a 300 PRC barreled action from PBB recently. Still waiting on a scope, but will hopefully be able to shoot it soon.