Proof Research or Christensen Arms???

[Bearhunter]

I would like to hear everyone's opinion on who is manufacturing the most accurate and quality built Carbon Fiber rifle these days. My opinion is that Christensen Arms was the pioneer of the Carbon fiber rifle and the aerospace world and many others have tried to follow suit but are they building to the highest standards as Christensen does????

 

[Sam Millard]

I know a few custom long range rifle builders that really didn't like Christensen stuff, and were quick to say so. Deserved or not, that kind of word spreads pretty quickly, and is enough to keep me from dropping big money and precious time into one of their barrels.

Proof Research on the other hand, seems to be getting a lot of good reviews as of late, including some from competition shooters who have to shoot a lot of rounds very quickly and maintain accuracy. Their method of carbon wrapping seems to dissipate heat as advertised, and their barrels seem to shoot very well. If I were to drop $900 to try a CF barrel, it would be on a Proof Research. I'll admit, I looked over one of their 338 barrels at SHOT a little longer than I should have

 

[GKPrice]

After talking with a couple of custom rifle makers recently MY vote would definitely go for Proof Research - I have had experience with Christensen Arms stuff and that's all I'll say about that ..... Question: which will dissipate heat more readily, Carbon fiber or aluminum ?

 

[Ryan Avery]

Anyone that knows me knows I love carbon barreled rifles! I have owned a CA rifle since 2000, three in all, and just had one re-barreled . Out of those three, only one would not shoot. I did have issues with my 300 RUM last year, but found out I had shot the barrel out(keep a good round count). I think CA, like all gun companies had their issues and growing pains. They had a lot of mis-information out on some of their rifles which led some people to believe that they where getting a full custom rifle when they where not. Like Sam said, once you get a bad name its hard to change your stripes. That said, over the last few years CA has began making everything on their rifles from start to finish which gives them much better quality control. IMO, their carbon stock is the best on the market! I also owned a rifle that had a Proof barrel and it shot great.

There are some differences between Proof and CA. Proof barrels are laid up at a 45-degree angle with a mono filament carbon fiber. CA is rolled on like a joint 80% length-ways then, 20% cross-ways. So, the CA barrel is going to be stiffer just in the way that it is wrapped. I don't really know which one cools faster, but I can't see them being that much different. I hear Proof say they are on gen 4 barrels and CA is still on gen 1. I would like an explanation on that one.
Carbon barrels don't really give you any more barrel life! They give you bull barrel accuracy without the weight. There is also the fact that some people can't shoot them accurately because they are too light. IMO, the only thing Proof is better in than CA is MARKETING!

 

[GKPrice]

I would have to totally agree with what Ryan has said - "stiffer and lighter" they certainly are and enough so that it makes really accurate AND lightweight rifles a "new world" - the cooling thing is what seems to have been misleading so if anyone looking at either of these rifles keeps that fact in mind then a lot of bad reputation will most likely be avoided

 

[Travis Bertrand]

Proof is kicking CA in the marketing game. I see a lot of half truths on proofs website as well.

 

[GKPrice]

I wasn't attempting to promote nor bash any person or company - study up for yourselves on carbon fiber and "heat transfer and if you are interested do the same with aluminum, then look into tensioned aluminum shrouded barrels - each of us should have the luxury to choose for ourselves, it's simply the preponderance of information available these days that complicates things AND btw, I think the carbon wrapped barrels look REALLY cool (and it's great to watch the expressions when you grab it by the pistol grip and pick the rifle up one handed OR hand it to someone not prepared)

 

[BARichardson]

I have 2 CA barrels and 2 Proof barrels. Both are shooting .25 MOA and hold it out past 800yd. I do like my proof better they seem to not fowl out as fast. Out of the box my .260AI Proof barrel shot .22 group when i was doing the first ladder test and barrel brake in! also took my deer last year at 1170yd (corrected 1045) with this rifle one shot blowing up the heart with a 130gr VLD going 3035fps LOVE THAT GUN!

 

[Whisky]

Does anybody have a comparison in weight for say a 24" .284 carbon wrapped barrel vs the equivalent contour steel barrel?? Guess I'm curious how light carbon wrapped barrels can go compared to equivalent #2-4 contour steel sporters??

 

[BARichardson]

its like 2.5-3 pounds sendero contours.. I should of weighed my last barrel but didn't before it was put on.. i do know the CA are lighter than the Proof barrels

 

[Bearhunter]

Wow guys so much great info on here. I do really like and entertain the idea of CA making all of there rifle components in house, that says a lot about a rifle company to be able to manufacture there own actions, barrels and Stocks seems to me that the fit and finish would be unparalleled because of that. They are offering a TI action again that tickles my fancy as well...

 

[HONEYBADGER]

I have a Christensen Arms and a Bettin, my hunting partners also have several Christensen Arms guns. All of them shoot lights out. We have toured their facility and talked to a few of the guys down there. If I were to buy a new carbon barreled rifle it would be a Christensen, although Fierce is interesting to me as well as they are basically titanium/carbon barreled Sako clones....

 

[paddlehead]

I am starting a build with a Proof. Everyone I know with one raves about them. I personally prefer the wrapping style over a Christensen. The physics and dynamics make more sense for a more rigid barrel. I am very excited to get mine all put together.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I am starting a build with a Proof. Everyone I know with one raves about them. I personally prefer the wrapping style over a Christensen. The physics and dynamics make more sense for a more rigid barrel. I am very excited to get mine all put together.

Both make great barrels. But CA's wrapping process makes a stiffer barrel.

 

[Sam Millard]

Has anybody done an independent test to compare rigidity of CF barrels to similar taper steel?

 

[Ryan Avery]

A steel barrel will have more rigidity than a similar tapered carbon barrel. On CA barrels, I have asked this question before. Their standard barrel is similar in rigidity to a #5 taper. The bull barrel from CA is about equal to a #6 taper. I don't know on a Proof barrel.

If I was hunting relativity close to the truck or I had particular spot that I was hiking into to watch the whole day I would just buy a Canyon Rifle or LRKM from Defensive edge and be done with it.

If I am hiking all day and glassing, I like the idea of having a light weight rifle that is accurate and can reach out and hit something. Can it shoot as far as a 16 pound Canyon Rifle consistently? NO. But with practice, it can shoot far enough for most.

 

[Nogunjoe]

I have 3 rifles with Proof Research barrels. One more on order.
Primary value in their barrels is heat dissipation and weight reduction.
They dissipate heat 5x faster than steel barrel. This reduces poi shift with hot barrel.
I understand Christianson carbon barrels dissipate heat more slowly than steel and are more vulnerable to poi shift from heat.
I get <.25moa from 6.5x284, .3moa from .300 RUM, and am working up a 7lrm just now. .338 Lapua Mag being stocked at Proof just now.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Who did the testing on the heat dissipation? That sounds like a really big difference between the two company's barrels.

I'll be testing a Hells Canyon Carbon barrel in about a month. Going with a 300wm on a Tikka action. I have high hopes for it as a light weight rifle capable of some longer shots.

 

[Nogunjoe]

My understanding is USMilitary did testing. They said a 300 win mag could be fired every 22 seconds with no poi shift. I believe the 5x figure also came from military testing. These stats were conveyed to me by Proof Employee when I questioned the 22x figure I saw on Gunwerks web site. (Think that is where I saw it).
My unscientific observations from firing over 3000 rounds through Proof barrels is they do not get as hot as an all steel barrel. Shot out a Krieger barrel on the 300RUM before switching to Proof. The Krieger was very accurate cold but poi shifted when hot. The Proof barrel eliminated this issue.

 

[Nogunjoe]

As for a big difference between CA and Proof Carbon barrels.
That is the difference and why Proof is so interesting. I always heard CA barrels were accurate on cold shots. But had issues with heat. Proof seems to have solved this problem.
Read Proofs web page on their carbon barrels. It explains their different carbon and it's benefits.