Has anyone had a chance to compare the Patriot Valley Arms Bartlein TL3 Prefit Match Barrels with the PROOF Research TL3 Prefit Steel Barrels? If so what is your opinion on each and in comparison to each other?
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Prefit barrels for Bighorn Arms TL3 Action
- Thread starter SonicBurlap
- Start date
I have several hawk hill PVA cut barrels and a few of the proof prefits. Both shoot excellent the proofs your gonna get saami spec chambers for the most part. My last proof took from April 8th until this past week just an fyi (because I know someone will say something about PVA lead times).
Thanks, I appreciate it. Since a few years ago wait times seem to have expanded in relation to the newly found popularity of shooting long range precision but then again this has also brought us innovations that we would not have seen otherwise. I'm just as impatient as the next guy but then I take a deep breath, remind myself of better actions, better barrels, more selection ...and the world is once again back somewhat in order. When I get peeved is when a company seems to regularly ignore correspondence, after about the fourth, or fifth time I will usually look for greener pastures.
There are many, many gunsmiths who will spin up a barrel for a TL3 without needing the action in hand. I think I've had barrels from 5 different smiths at this point.
The best thing about proof research barrels is if your a veteran or leo the prefits deal on experticity is ridiculously good.
The best thing about sending your blank to a Smith is you can have the chamber cut to your liking.
That I am, and on ExpertVoice and PROOF Research certified to have access.
Prefits as in a savage short shank threaded barrel with a nut? Or a shouldered prefit that someone cut and has on the shelf?
As in these:
https://patriotvalleyarms.com/bighorn-tl3-prefit-match-barrel/
Zermatt Arms Steel Pre-Fit Specs
proofresearch.com
So in my mind there's not really any difference in a "Pre-fit" barrel and ordering a barrel from a smith who can do a TL3 barrel without the action in hand. In either event the machining, shoulder/tenon length, headspace is all done to the same specs. Either they have it pre-programmed on their CNC lathe or they can replicate the specs with a manual lathe and measuring tools. End result is the same no matter what terminology you use, assuming they are a capable machinist/gunsmith.
The questions to evaluate in the decision process are...
Do they have the barrel specs that I want with the blank in stock? (cut/button, twist, contour, brand)
Is their reamer the spec that I want?
Price / Lead time / Customer service
I personally prefer to separate those decisions, find the blank I want, have it dropped shipped to the smith I've chosen, then have them ship me the finished barrel.
Outfits that are offering "prefits" are often just buying barrel blanks in bulk, countouring them on their own lathe, and only giving you one option for reamers. It's just another way of marketing the same essential machining service.
If your good to go on experticity it's a no brainer enjoy your proof barrel.
A pva or proof prefit is literally just a smith (pva) spinning up a shouldered tl3 barrel without seeing the action. It’s the same thing.
I would call and talk to them at proof they had some tooling they were changing around for my last barrel (16 weeks). The ones before this one took about 6-8 weeks. I basically just always have a proof barrel in the build que lol. New competition contour is fun also it's basically a truck axle lol.
Last two proof barrels I have gotten are excellent barrels, especially given the price.
Last two proof barrels I have gotten are excellent barrels, especially given the price.
I keep playing with pick up a proof barrel on 6creedmoor but when I tried to contact them about the chamber specs they use, I got nothing back in over a month.
I didn't realize proof sold direct, last time I spoke with them they told me to go through experticity ( which charges tax in TN).
My proof shot dtacs exceptionally well and hybrids for that matter also... Other than my 6br from PVA probably the most accurate easiest to clean barrel I have every owned.
I''m not too much in a hurry this time so I've got time to get all my parts together by next year. I'm thinking I'll get that Bighorn TL3 SA in DLC, add a 26" PROOF 6.5 Creedmoor steel barrel and a PVA "Jet Blast." I might stop by in Sturgis, SD and drop it off at LRI to have them do their magic when I'll visit a friend in Rapid City, add a TriggerTech Diamond, and drop it in a KRG Bravo that I'll do my camo on, mount one of my Vortex Razors on that bad boy, and done.
Good to know, I appreciate the tip, I was a little concerned it might need some extra weight when I saw the Bravo's listed weight.
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What stock do you have that competition barrel mounted in? I was planning on getting an M24 contour this time, but the competition contour seems tempting with the weight. Do you think it would fit in the Bravo chassis?
It will fit in the mpa comp chassis but not the hybrid (may fit in the new hybrid). Call mpa to be certain. I have no clue about the KRG
does the comp contour work with nightvison bridge in place or does it need to be removed?
Directly from krg's website
- Barrel contours accepted: 1.25" for 4" in front of action face, then 1.20" straight to end of forend. A 1.25" straight cylinder barrel will fit but we feel that the clearance is too minimal. We recommend using no larger than a varmint contour to keep proper balance.
My guess is will not work,. I never had the nv bridge on mine as I got it second hand and was misplaced.
Altus was pretty quick with my 18" m24 6.5 creed "shouldered prefit" also shoots sub 1/2 moa. Local smith that is very reputable lives here so i had him do me a 6creedmoor. He had my tl3 in hand and it shoots a touch tighter but its a 26" heavy palma and a 6 so it tames recoil a lil better. Both were done in around 2 weeks.
My point is chamber runout, throat polishing, etc. all the "voodoo" that makes the BARREL capable of shooting tiny groups can all be done with out action in hand then as long as its a good blank, it headpaces good and its in a decent chassis or stock then..........
IMO, The gun will shoot.
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The beauty of Proof and Experticity is the impossible to beat pricing... the downfall is the Saami spec and the sheer lack of calibers they offer it in. If I was going 6.5CM, 223, 308 6.5x47 or even 6cm then without a doubt I go proof/experticity. But thats all they offer, they do offer more in carbon fiber but we are talking steel. In all honesty I would prefer sending my action to a smith and letting them set headspace, cut chamber to my specs, etc... This is what I do if I intend on shooting anything other than those calibers above and have no intention of ever running factory ammo (I'm looking at you 6BR and 6x47). The only other definite for sure dont want a prefit mass produced is 224 Valkyrie just because they have screwed that up so royally (It's my understanding Keystone is the go to for a Valk prefit).
FWIW, out of all my barrels and with my two different TL3 actions only one gunsmith has ever had an action in hand to set headspace, and that was only one out of the two actions.
I'm at four total Dasher barrels now and every one of them has been dead nuts the same for headspace, even with two different gunsmiths doing the work. Different reamers, but the fired brass shoulder has measured to within a 1/2 thou consistently.
I've also got a couple 6BRA barrels, both of which headspace exactly the same. No discernible difference between either for headspace or chamber. Those were cut with the same reamer.
Point being there doesn't seem to be a need or advantage to have the gunsmith have the action in hand if they are competent and can cut a barrel to the proper spec.
What he said...
If you ever wanna double check it buy a go gauge for your caliber and a roll of tape.
I've had the head space vary on pretty much all of my Bighorn barrels some will close with resistance on a no-go some not at all. As stated above though I reload so does it really matter?
Nope.
Action in hand will always be best. But since we basically all reload you can make small adjustments and its NBD
My next 2 TL3 barrels will be action in hand by an FTR guy (223 and 308) and I expect them to hammer just slightly more than a prefit. But hard to argue with .25moa prefits
Just received an answer from KRG regarding this on another thread:
"
Today at 1:10 AM
@SonicBurlap that barrel will clear. In fact the Bravo's (and W-3 and X-ray) are starting to come with a slightly revised backbone that has the barrel channel cut the same as the bedding area. Basically a full 1.25" straight cylinder will clear, these are the ones that come with the 10x threaded mounting holes at the front of the backbone for our new NV mount. Thank you,
Justin
Kinetic Research Group, ltd (KRG)
www.KRG-OPS.com
www.kineticresearchgroup.com
(Designer of Magpul Massoud rifle, formerly Justin J, member since 2004)"
So apparently they revised it and it now fits what do you think about that bit about the balance though?
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I just had Mile High spin up 6 Creedmoor and 6 BRA barrels in the left hand gain twist. Both went into TL3 actions. They shoot lights out. I just needed to get an action wrench and torque it down to 80 ft/lbs.
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5% off major builds
10% off accessories.
JP Enterprises Coupon code: 43SS1015
5% off major builds
10% off accessories.
If any of you are running a TL3 SA with the AICS cut what brand of mags are you running in it and did you have to modify the feed lips, add a plate, or anything else. I've got a few of the Magpuls for my 6.5 Creedmoor Bergara but have heard the TL3 tends to have issues with those, so I'm curious to find out what works for you.
I don't trust just anyone to cut a barrel. Proof will cut any caliber I'd want. I'd just have to pay more for it, which in my opinion is worth it.
It would be nice to see more than just 4 offerings in a ready to go barrel.
LRI
Bugholes
TS
WTO
Keystone
Altus
Tooley
etc
etc
seriously the list of capable smiths who can turn out prefits in any caliber is nearly endless
Absolutely, I was referring to buying from Proof using Expertcity. I should have been more specific.
I’ll say proof research isn’t going ham with prefit calibers and stuck with lighter contours but most everyone else will build you want you want
Hey, it's a discount they offer to us Vets; I'm happy and grateful they offer it, whatever it may be. Gift horse, mouth , ... you get the picture.
Absolutely! I'm very grateful for it. I didn't even know about it until I got on here. If I ever decide to build a small action rifle
... I'll definitely take advantage of the offer. I truly appreciate companies that offer discounts to us.
I am still surprised no one has mentioned you can get a proof blank from expertcity at a discount then have the smith of your choice chamber and cut the prefit. Granted like others have said they may not have as many options available such and specific rates of twist or bore diameters but still another option.
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