Proof Research or Christensen Arms???

[Reidus]

Could you post a link to a study that shows how carbon barrels draw heat away from the barrel?

 I know that proof uses a resin that transfers heat really well but carbon fiber with no resin is an insulator. If they do transfer heat really well they should feel colder to the touch than a standard barrel. The better a material transfers heat the colder it feels on a cold day. (The feeling of foam vs steel in 32 deg weather.)  I just haven't figured out how they transfer heat so well but don't feel cold to the touch.

[Reidus]

Here's what gunwerks says about the barrels they have proof wrap for their carbon model.


"The heart of any rifle is the barrel. In this configuration, we are using our standard stainless steel barrel, but it is turned to a half inch in diameter and shipped to Proof Research to have it wrapped with their proprietary carbon wrapping process under patent number 6,889,464. We are not chasing weight, in fact a properly fluted barrel is only 2 oz heavier. We are after the fastest effective heat transfer possible, unlike conventional carbon wrapping, with the right resin matrix, this carbon wrap moves heat 22X’s as fast as steel."

http://www.gunwerks.com/Shooting-Systems/carbonX

[Biggerhammer]

I need to find a article I read years back that proved carbon fiber barrels didn't do what they claimed. They pointed out the fact, testing them on a prairie dog hunt. They came to the conclusion that a standard barrel was better suited for repeated shooting.

They put a heat sensor on the outside of a standard barrel and a heat sensor under the carbon fiber wrap against the thinner turned down steel barrel. Their conclusion was, that the thinner steel of the turned down barrel under the carbon wrap heated up much quicker than a standard thicker non carbon wrapped barrel and the carbon couldn't reduce  the heat fast enough to prevent excessive throat  erosion on the hot barrel under the carbon wrap as compared to a standard barrel which could distribute heat much better and keep the complete barrel/core cooler with the same amount of shots as the carbon fiber barrel.

Now just for a standard hunting rifle I could understand the carbon fiber idea, weight being the major factor. But for heat disipation for sustained fire. 10, 20, 30 shots strings a standard barrel with fluting was proved to stay cooler over all than a carbon wrapped barrel with the way thin barrel core. Just because you can't feel as much heat on the outside of a carbon wrapped barrel after 20 shots doesn't mean that the thinner turned down barrel at its core isn't smoking hot!

[b23]

I've read quite a bit about CF wrapped barrels over the years and from everything I've read, how well the actually dissipate heat, has everything to do with the direction the fibers lay and how they are wrapped as well as the resin used.  If not done properly, CF will act as an insulator and it'll actually hold the heat in.

I believe PR uses the same process ABS used to use and ABS produced good stuff.

Are they worth the $900 price tag, only the person writing the check can determine that.  I don't think you have to spend $900 on a CF wrapped barrel, which is double what a fluted conventional barrel cost, to build a light weight rifle but if that's your thing and you want to, go for it, after all,  it's your money, spend it however you want.

If I were going with a CF wrapped barrel Proof Research would be my only choice.

[257 Wby Mag]

Hmmmm , the way I figure it, if they were so great, Ida had one by now... Grin

[Bearhunter]

Thanks for all the great info guys there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on here, I love it!  Gonna order a Christiensen I believe! 

[mountainman]

Thanks for all the great info guys there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on here, I love it!  Gonna order a Christiensen I believe! 

awesome choice! What model/caliber?

[xXLojackXx]

My choice from Christensen would be this TFM in .300 WM. A 9lb scoped rifle is perfect in my opinion.
Only rifle they make with a 1/2" guarantee.

http://www.christensenarms.com/products/bolt-rifles/tfm-tactical-rifle/

[Reidus]

I'm curious to know if they hold their half moa guarantee. Some companies base their accuracy guarantee on a single three shot group which does not mean much to me. Go shoot 5 five shot or 3 shot groups and then average your group size. I'm guessing most guns won't meet the accuracy that the manufacturer claims if you do this.

[mountainman]

Big variable being who's driving the gun...😄 seriously, the Christiansens along with test barrels I've had made easily met that mark. ..

[Bearhunter]

I think I have narrowed it down to the Carbon Summit w/thumbhole stock, titanium muzzlebreak and possibly a titanium action in either the 7mm or 300RUM.  xXLojackXx the summit is a 1/2 MOA or better rifle as well, either way they build one hell of a fine rifle.  Shot a buddies over the weekend and it did not shoot or feel like a 7.5 rifle all rigged, I was very impressed with the recoil management, smooth tight action and crisp break over on the trigger this was one of there older model rifles as well.  The Thumbhole stock has a great feel to it as well, any pros and cons to the Thumbhole?  Heres the direct link to the rifle Im thinking about ordering.  Let me know what you guys think!    http://www.christensenarms.com/products/bolt-rifles/carbon-summit-rifle/

[Bearhunter]

Id love to see some of you guys CA rifles post up some pics on this thread if you get a chance.  Lance thanks for the offer Im sure you have a beautiful gun but Im leaning towards a new rifle!

[xXLojackXx]

Whats MSRP on these rifles? Looks like its what you're after. I personally don't like thumbholes. When I shoot a rifle, the thumb in my trigger hand gets rested on the side of the grip, not around it. That eliminates torque on the stock and can play a big factor in long range shots. People that wrap a thumb around the grip or through a thumbhole sometimes have problems with left to right accuracy.

[MtnMuley]

Sounds like you got 'er dialed in. I leaned heavy on the 300 RUM when I started buying LR guns, but now I'm not so sure I wouldn't rather have the 7's. As far as thumbholes, I'd say they are a plus. When shooting at an animal on the "hike", they are a huge plus for me. They get everything tucked in stabilizing an off hand shot. When dialed in shooting prone, I don't use the thumbhole, and rest my trigger hand as normal. Works fine for me. Most critical thing I notice when shooting a Christensen is to get your heartbeats and breaths down. They are definately not as forgiving as most LR rifles, but are worth every penny carrying around.

[kentrek]

Id love to see some of you guys CA rifles post up some pics on this thread if you get a chance.

Just realized I didn't get my rifle in a single trophy photo this year....Il a few up from the last couple years tho