Proof Switch

[OH58DViper]

Anyone have any experience with one of these? My wife fondled one at Cabela’s this weekend and now she’s asking for one. Seems like a descent deal for the money, just looking for first hand reports.

Thanks

 

[Bkultra]

Doesn't matter, if the wife asks for a rifle... You buy her the GD rifle. Mine just wants handbags and shoes.

Lucky son of a...

 

[aard3]

Doesn't matter, if the wife asks for a rifle... You buy her the GD rifle. Mine just wants handbags and shoes.

Lucky son of a...

+1 to that!

 

[Bender]

Doesn't matter, if the wife asks for a rifle... You buy her the GD rifle. Mine just wants handbags and shoes.

Lucky son of a...

This.... lmao

 

[Mr. Z]

Ok buddy, you realize you can use that too right....

 

[b6graham]

Normal: Hide convinces guy to buy rifle. Said guy needs to ask permission/forgiveness from wife

OP: wife asks guy for bomb ass rifle. Said guy asks Hide for permission

Wtf is going on here

 

[Another Casual]

Depending on what you want, could just buy a TL3 (same action) and some prefits and the stock/trigger of your choice.

 

[OH58DViper]

I love this place, it’s like an online cheers except nobody knows your name.

Odds are she’s going to get what she wants, I just can’t decide if I should build her a TL3, EH1, Proof rig, or buy the factory one. She has already tagged out in Kansas (bow) and Missouri (TS Customs 7RM) so she’s not going to need it until next November in Missouri or December in Kansas, if bow season doesn’t work for her. May just buy her a lone peak idk, bottom line is she’s going to get a new rig, I just don’t know if it will be a “factory custom.”

 

[christopher.dow]

The Switch caught my eye, so I bought a second TL3, Manners EH1-FA, and a Proof barrel. It came in about 3/4 the cost of a Switch, and took right at six months from parts ordered to sight-in.

 

[Jeeper48]

The Switch caught my eye, so I bought a second TL3, Manners EH1-FA, and a Proof barrel. It came in about 3/4 the cost of a Switch, and took right at six months from parts ordered to sight-in.

Did you just use a small shank barrel from Proof, or did you have it shouldered by someone?

 

[Shadow knows]

Normal: Hide convinces guy to buy rifle. Said guy needs to ask permission/forgiveness from wife

OP: wife asks guy for bomb ass rifle. Said guy asks Hide for permission

Wtf is going on here

 

[5RWill]

Love the comments lol.

But personally speaking the purpose of the switch defeats the entire purpose of the TL3 to me. Yes it's a method of having a switch barrel rifle, which is no different than a remage if said remage had boltheads. To me the reason the TL3 makes a great switch barrel rig besides the changeable boltheads is the tolerances, so you can grab shouldered barrels from somewhere like PVA without ever sending the receiver to Josh. Which means chunking it in a barrel vise, changing boltheads, and then torque & go. The hell with go no/go gauges, and a barrel nut.

 

[spife7980]

I sort of agree with the shouldered thing but if buying off the shelf is what’s being discussed there are very few rifles in a cabelas that I get a kick out of seeing there for sale but two from the fancy room that just stick with me are a trg and then this proof switch. I was surprised at the whole package, I fully expected to not like it but it was not only a bighorn upon inspection but the stock and everything just felt perfect. If I could have built the perfect hunting rifle this would be it.

 

[christopher.dow]

Did you just use a small shank barrel from Proof, or did you have it shouldered by someone?

So far, I’ve only used small shank barrels. Some dude keeps prattling on about Bartlein left-hand gain-twist barrels, so I’ll probably get Mile High to spin one of those for me when my 6.5 is shot out ?. I haven’t priced out what a Proof blank + chambering costs, but if it’s cheaper I’ll probably go that way for a CF replacement.

 

[Diver160651]

So far, I’ve only used small shank barrels. Some dude keeps prattling on about Bartlein left-hand gain-twist barrels, so I’ll probably get Mile High to spin one of those for me when my 6.5 is shot out ?. I haven’t priced out what a Proof blank + chambering costs, but if it’s cheaper I’ll probably go that way for a CF replacement.

Hi Chris-
I just got two proofs for $649 each. One is in San Jose at Spartan Rifles now. It will run you right around $350 to chamber and muzzle crown the barrel- any barrel + 125 to thread 5/8x24

I also have a couple of Bartliens waiting to have him spin up (extras) and those run me about $350..vrs the $648

How I am justifying my Proofs (I have to, I am on wife watched funds) are:
1- they are for my hunting rifles
2- I usually Cerrakote the barrel action $200 - so the proofs are within $100.. I know, bad math- but it make me feel better.

I have a barrel vice and Deviant’s 700 style internal action wrench here. If the barrels are a custom fitted to your action, no need to do anything -but spin them on and off at the same torque. It is easier than all the switch barrel stuff except AI; I do have to rezero. Benchrest guys do this all the time, often at a match to save barrel life on their favorites.

If you want you can always drop by and use my stuff. You might need an special wrench for the bighorn.

 

[OH58DViper]

I sort of agree with the shouldered thing but if buying off the shelf is what’s being discussed there are very few rifles in a cabelas that I get a kick out of seeing there for sale but two from the fancy room that just stick with me are a trg and then this proof switch. I was surprised at the whole package, I fully expected to not like it but it was not only a bighorn upon inspection but the stock and everything just felt perfect. If I could have built the perfect hunting rifle this would be it.

That’s kinda how we were, checked out the rev x, a couple GAP Customs, and the Switch. She loved everything about the switch but I just have a hard time buying something that’s put together by someone without my input and options.

I can get a switch right now for 3k but I can build an EH1, bighorn, Proof Prefit, for around the same price.

decisions decisions.....

 

[B-P-UU]

Love the comments lol.

But personally speaking the purpose of the switch defeats the entire purpose of the TL3 to me. Yes it's a method of having a switch barrel rifle, which is no different than a remage if said remage had boltheads. To me the reason the TL3 makes a great switch barrel rig besides the changeable boltheads is the tolerances, so you can grab shouldered barrels from somewhere like PVA without ever sending the receiver to Josh. Which means chunking it in a barrel vise, changing boltheads, and then torque & go. The hell with go no/go gauges, and a barrel nut.

He gets it.. no way I'd run a nut if I didn't have to. Just build her exactly what she wants with a shouldered barrel.. heck, order 2 tubes out of the gate.. one cal for practice and something bigger/magnum for meat.

 

[physguy88]

Cabelas actually had the Switch on sale last month for $3500. Don't know when that might happen again though.

 

[christopher.dow]

I just got two proofs for $649 each. One is in San Jose at Spartan Rifles now. It will run you right around $350 to chamber and muzzle crown the barrel- any barrel + 125 to thread 5/8x24

I also have a couple of Bartliens waiting to have him spin up (extras) and those run me about $350..vrs the $648
8<

I have a barrel vice and Deviant’s 700 style internal action wrench here. If the barrels are a custom fitted to your action, no need to do anything -but spin them on and off at the same torque. It is easier than all the switch barrel stuff except AI; I do have to rezero. Benchrest guys do this all the time, often at a match to save barrel life on their favorites.

If you want you can always drop by and use my stuff. You might need an special wrench for the bighorn.

Hi Jim,

I’m getting threaded Proofs for $830, so that math’s not working for me. Can Spartan spin a Bartlein for a TL3? If so I might give them a try, although I feel some allegiance to Magic Mike & Adam. That’s a tough call.

I have the Zermatt wrench for the TL3 and a barrel vice at home, but might take you up just to learn from someone who’s done it more than me. Thanks for the offer!

 

[Diver160651]

Hi Jim,

I’m getting threaded Proofs for $830, so that math’s not working for me. Can Spartan spin a Bartlein for a TL3? If so I might give them a try, although I feel some allegiance to Magic Mike & Adam. That’s a tough call.

I have the Zermatt wrench for the TL3 and a barrel vice at home, but might take you up just to learn from someone who’s done it more than me. Thanks for the offer!

Yes Marc can.

But do you need to have it spun on if you are getting pre-fits or already threaded?

If I was getting pre-fit even for the Big Horn I’d consider a set of gauges - maybe just out of old school case head separation anxiety-

I think either Smith is GTG as are a ton of others- the nice thing about Spartan as a local Smith you don’t have all the shipping/insurance expenses.

Jim

 

[christopher.dow]

Yes Marc can.

But do you need to have it spun on if you are getting pre-fits or already threaded?

If I was getting pre-fit even for the Big Horn I’d consider a set of gauges - maybe just out of old school case head separation anxiety-

I think either Smith is GTG as are a ton of others- the nice thing about Spartan as a local Smith you don’t have all the shipping/insurance expenses.

Jim

Sorry! I was going back & forth between Proof prefits and the Bartlein idea. The spinning is for the Bartlein.

I have 308 and 6.5 gauges. I don’t know how you could fit the prefits without them!

 

[Diver160651]

Sorry! I was going back & forth between Proof prefits and the Bartlein idea. The spinning is for the Bartlein.

I have 308 and 6.5 gauges. I don’t know how you could fit the prefits without them!

You can’t.. But when Smith Custom chambers he has already done that. That’s why it makes sense sometimes have a couple barrels chamber at the same time then all you have to do is spend them off at home or even at the range

 

[christopher.dow]

You can’t.. But when Smith Custom chambers he has already done that. That’s why it makes sense sometimes have a couple barrels chamber at the same time then all you have to do is spend them off at home or even at the range

Good point!

 

[Yota]

Does anyone have any range time w the Proof Switch?

I can’t seem to find any reviews on dudes actually shooting them. Groups? Shifts bw barrel swaps?

Seems like the only info out there is articles about the rifle without any testing, or the argument of nut vs shouldered barrels. I think the rifle is a very interesting concept, and I think the price is reasonable for what you get.

 

[physguy88]

There's a very short review here:

https://www.outdoorlife.com/top-new-hunting-long-range-rifles-2018

They tested the rifle and like it, but do not provide much detail beyond that.

 

[Yota]

There's a very short review here:

https://www.outdoorlife.com/top-new-hunting-long-range-rifles-2018

They tested the rifle and like it, but do not provide much detail beyond that.

.181” group. Not shabby.