Looking to buy a new 280ai barrel for my Remington 700. Going to land at 24 inches and will support a SiCo Omega 30 suppressor.

Really considering a CF barrel and both of these companies offer them. This is 100% a hunting rifle so weight is somewhat of a concern. It will be backed by a AG Composite CF stock.

I love my Bartlein never really heard anything bad about them but have heard mixed reviews on the proof barrels.

Suppressed or not?

You don’t read well do you? Yes, suppressed with a SiCo Omega 30

Reading is hard

I would go Bartlein.

NEVER has one of their all steel barrels failed to stack bullets in one hole.

1/8 or 1/9 twist

Will most likely be shooting in the 160’s either Hornady ELDX or a Berger. I’m think 1:9 will be good unless directed otherwise

I have two rifles with Proof Sendero contours (.28 Nosler and a .300 Norma Improved). The .28 Nosler is an off the shelf Proof Research Terminus that I bought because I was in a bind and didn’t have time to wait on a custom build to be made but was in need of a lighter weight rifle to take to Alaska. With factory ammo it’s a 1/2 moa at 100 yds all day every day.

The 300 Norma improved was my custom build. My first 5 shots ever out of the rifle w/ factory ammo (regular 300 Norma, basically fire forming) was .40 @ 100 yds. The best group I got was a 3 shot group at .20 and the subsequent 2 shots for a total of a 5 shot group opened it up to .38. But I have no doubt I can easily get it to .25 if I shoot more with the factory ammo. Once again, fire forming off the shelf 300 Norma ammo. This will only get better with custom reloads. So.....they can definitely shoot. I personally would steer away from the Sendero lite but that’s just me as it would obviously have less of buffer before heating up and stringing shots compared to the thicker Sendero. But, if it’s a true hunting rifle that may not matter to you. I. have zero doubt/concern about the quality of the Proof barrels though based off of the two I own.

That being said, I was just in the exact same predicament as you 2 months ago when trying to finalize my 6.5 PRC build. Being a “creature of habit/if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality I immediately had chosen to go with a 22” 1;7.5 twist in the sendero contour. Then it dawned on me.......”well what else is out there”. I researched a lot and read several forums, articles etc. I am no gunsmith and tend to learn more and more about the importance of each part of the rifle as each day goes by. I feel like I still know very little compared to most on here but I am trying to learn more and more. The guy building my rifle routinely uses both brands amongst many others so I was not limited in any way. What I found specifically that swayed me to choose a Bartlein over the Proof was this; the Bartlein had a 5 groove and the Proof had a 4 groove. Many seem to feel that the 5 groove rifling offered better bullet stabilization and thus better end result. I talked with my builder and asked his opinion. He agreed about the rifling differences between the two and felt there was an advantage to the Bartlein. He had nothing negative to say about Proof. He probably builds more Proof barreled Carbon rifles than anything else and they all flat out shoot. But he did say, “Bartlein doesn’t win matches because they suck, obviously those are all steel barreled rifles. But it’s the same steel and build quality on the inside. The carbon outside is the only difference.”. So, I chose the Bartlein. Won’t know for a while till after it’s completed how it shoots but I bet it’s just as equally as good as the Proof...maybe better.

1:8.7 or 1:9 is perfect for 162-168

H-4831 SC is what I loaded in George's. Hopefully you can find 16 pounds of it, same lot.

The Hornady 162 ELD-X is not available right now. Periodically, I see 168 gr Berger Classic Hunter bullets. If I were building a .280 A.I., I would lean toward the 1.8.7 twist, and give 175 gr Berger Elite Hunters a chance. Same for the 175 ELD-X.

I concur with the 5 groove. 4 groove barrels have given a bit more fits to get them to tune. 5 groove Bartlein are some of the easiest barrels to tune a load for. They are a waste of time and components at 100 yards. Almost every load you give them, looks good at 100 yards, so that test distance tells you little to nothing.

Yea, well aware of that, but that’s all I got easily accessible. I have no doubt they are easy capable of similar results beyond, especially the Norma. Takes a lot more time and effort to get all that crap rounded up and head out to the further range or the lease.

Not recommending one over the other but Proof does make a 5 groove barrel for certain. I own one.

I quit using Carbon barrels a few years ago after a handful of duds...

But from what I’m hearing of the Bartliens I may have to “circle back”.

both

Is mine going to end up with a Bartlein?

I have no experience with either, however based on internet slewing...

Proof Barrel have some random complainers from time to time about accuracy not being what was expected, and not just their carbon barrels but their all steel too. I feel like I've never really hear any bad mouth Bartiein, even in the trash heap known as the internet review world.

I would go 1:8 twist on any .284

Me also.

I'm in the same boat, but looking pretty hard at Carbon 6 barrels. A guy I know built up 16 identical bullpups for a customer of his. All with Carbon 6 barrels, and every single one of them could shoot.

The Bartlein will finish at a considerably heavier weight for identifical lengths if that is a concern. A Bart #4 CFW vs Proof Sendero Lite of the same length you will probably stand to save at least 6 ounces-- I had both in hand and went to the Proof as it was an ultralight mountain rifle.

Also- there are some reports from early batches of Bartleins where the carbon is separating where the wrapping butts up to the shank.

Well, after handling multiple rifles in both CF barrels and steel barrels, I’ve come to the conclusion that we f I’m going over 18 inches, I’m going CF for a hunting rifle. There may not be a lot of weight savings, but the balance of the rifle was exceptional. Given the fact that I’ll add a suppressor and scope, I think for a main purpose hunting rifle it would be hard to mess up into with a CF barrel.

good choice

what's your budget look like?

$2,000ish