OP, I hope the nest for you. Ive caught wind lately of a hand full of carbon Proof Barrels not performing. I don’t know if this is a matter of coincidence or id they are having QC issues in recent time. Most of the examples i onow of personally were in magnum chambering.
I had a 30 Nosler chambered by a top rated smith in the nation and the proof CF barrel would not hold consistency or shoot less than about 0.75 moa. After about 10 months of off and on load development amd troubleshooting, i contacted Proof.
Proof customer service was excellent and very understanding. They didn’t blame me or the smith and were very open minded about the possible contributing factors. They never tried to dissuade me from sending my barrel back for inspection and testing,
My barrel failed the air-gauging (volume test?) and the barrel was replaced. Unfortunately I replaced the barrel with a steel barrel from another manufacturer. I run carbon barrels and have one barrel from proof that shoots fine. I have returned 3 barrels personally to 2 different manufacturers out of maybe 20 or so I've purchased. It happens I guess. There are a couple companies that I have never had any issues with.
Im confident Proof will make it right if warranted. My best sugesstion is dont waist all the time I did blowing ammo and powder. Get your gun back to the smith or to proof or both after you cover the basics (alternative scope test, check torque on everything, stock check, a few ammo tests (3 factory loads or 2-3 basic hand loads). I wasted 10 months and over $300 in ammo.
PS - Im not bashing or blaming anyone. I still buy proof barrels; just not magnum chambering. Most issues I've seen personally were with magnums. I personally belieive the big magnums just vibrate too much or heat stress quickly after sustained fire. These are my persinal feelings ans not to be taken as governing fact or statements.
PPSS - I’m referring to bolt guns as i habe more experice with their barrles. I ddi t send back a turd 224 Valkyrie AR barrel. I have a replacement now and a 224 bolt gun barrels as well. The both are fine. I habe a reamer that is working well in 224 Valkyrie.
Sincerely, I wish you the best in resolvi