Proof Research vs Carbon6 Barrels - Need Advice

buckeye_optics

buckeye_optics

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Looking to build a lightweight mountain elk rifle and I'm between a Proof and Carbon6 barrel.

Anyone have any real world experience with Carbon6 ?

I've had a few Proof barrels, they've been ok, but always looking for something better.
 
I had a 20” carbon 6 300 wsm barrel last year that shot great. Took about twice as long to get as they said, but they gave me 20% off for waiting on hold for 90 seconds when I called to order it.
 
Take a look at ibi carbon barrels too if your not dead set on the two you mentioned
 
buckeye_optics said:
Looking to build a lightweight mountain elk rifle and I'm between a Proof and Carbon6 barrel.

Anyone have any real world experience with Carbon6 ?

I've had a few Proof barrels, they've been ok, but always looking for something better.
Click to expand...

My experience is in the carbon 6 thread on this website. Between the two I'd go proof. In hindsight, I'd get a Bartlein as lite as I wanted and have a good smith shoulder up the muzzle for whatever size threads I wanted.
 
I have one carbon6 barrel and it’s a shooter. Small sample size but I’d definitely buy another if I was in the market.

I have one proof as well and it’s also a really good shooting barrel. Probably will be happy with either.
 
I’ve had LOTS of Proofs and three Carbon6 barrels. If its bigger than a 6.5 go steel. If its a 6.5 or smaller go Carbon6. The three I have are great. I have done load dev on a dozen more, all were good to go. I have seen one issue with a Carbon6 barrel that UM had and Carbon6 replaced it. Proof loves to blame the gunsmith when the barrel no workey.
 
What caliber and barrel length?

Pre-fit or blank? What action?


Carbon6 is easier to get custom pre-fits from. I believe a Proof Sendero Light is going to be lighter than any Carbon6 offering (based on numbers from Carbon6). But you can get a Carbon6 for about half the price of a Proof if you buy during one of their sales.

Benchmark & Bartlein would be good options too, but they will probably be heavier.
 
david2duck said:
I have one carbon6 barrel and it’s a shooter. Small sample size but I’d definitely buy another if I was in the market.

I have one proof as well and it’s also a really good shooting barrel. Probably will be happy with either.
Click to expand...
This has been my experience with both as well. I have one prefit from each and they’ve both been excellent.

I like the ability to customize with c6 but also acknowledge that they’ve had some QC issues because of it. From what I’ve seen they will do everything they can to fix it though.
 
gtriple said:
What caliber and barrel length?

Pre-fit or blank? What action?


Carbon6 is easier to get custom pre-fits from. I believe a Proof Sendero Light is going to be lighter than any Carbon6 offering (based on numbers from Carbon6). But you can get a Carbon6 for about half the price of a Proof if you buy during one of their sales.

Benchmark & Bartlein would be good options too, but they will probably be heavier.
Click to expand...

The benchmarks have some lighter options than the bartleins.
 
Ryan Avery said:
I’ve had LOTS of Proofs and three Carbon6 barrels. If its bigger than a 6.5 go steel. If its a 6.5 or smaller go Carbon6. The three I have are great. I have done load dev on a dozen more, all were good to go. I have seen one issue with a Carbon6 barrel that UM had and Carbon6 replaced it. Proof loves to blame the gunsmith when the barrel no workey.
Click to expand...
Can you explain on going steel on the >6.5? What does the steel do the carbon does not?
Does this include non magnums, like the 308 win?
 
gtriple said:
What caliber and barrel length?

Pre-fit or blank? What action?


Carbon6 is easier to get custom pre-fits from. I believe a Proof Sendero Light is going to be lighter than any Carbon6 offering (based on numbers from Carbon6). But you can get a Carbon6 for about half the price of a Proof if you buy during one of their sales.

Benchmark & Bartlein would be good options too, but they will probably be heavier.
Click to expand...

300 PRC in 22", Defiance anTi, planning on using a blank.
 
buckeye_optics said:
300 PRC in 22", Defiance anTi, planning on using a blank.
Click to expand...
I'd probably go with a Proof, Bartlein, or Benchmark if you are going with a blank. Nothing against C6, just think that one of their big advantages is the affordability of their prefits.

I love my 300PRC Christensen Ridgeline, but I wish it had a 22" barrel like what you are getting. That's a tough package to beat if you are dead set on a 30 cal. I'm building a 7prc 18" Tikka to replace it currently tho.
 
If you’re not purchasing a prefit, I’d lean Proof over the C6. I think their blanks are probably a little higher quality being cut rifling instead of button like the C6 (Mcgowen) and they are not much more cost wise. Expertvoice has Proof blanks for $650, which is identical to C6 standard pricing. With C6 current ongoing sale they are a little cheaper but I’d still lean Proof.
 
If you're actually looking for light weight, ditch the idea of carbon and run a smaller-profile steel barrel. Carbon simply can't hang from a weight perspective.

If you simply want carbon (and I get it), then proof or Benchmark. I'd probably look at Benchmark based on past experience and weight options. Bartlein carbon barrels are NOT lightweight. Proof is decent, but reading a round a number of people have faced quality and accuracy challenges.
 
As somebody who doesn't "get it" outside aesthetics, what is the advantage of a carbon barrel over a lighter steel barrel that doesn't trap heat and flares to 5/8x24?

-J
 
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