Precision rifles are really good these days. Good enough to make you doubt that any meaningful advancement can be made without some level of electronic or digital technology onboard. They are capable of great feats with equally great consistency that we couldn’t have imagined even 10 years ago. Even so, the norm is to continue to push for the highest levels of performance improvements. That will never cease. But with so much development across every component, marked progression must surely slow if not nearly stop altogether. Right? Maybe not.
The barrel is arguably the most important component in the precision shooting system. I never know if it’s the action or the barrel first…the chicken or the egg. Regardless, Proof Research may have just unlocked the true potential of the precision shooting system— namely, the barrel and the technology within, with what’s called the Proof Research Exponential Twist.
Mention Proof Research to most shooters and I’d bet money most think of the carbon fiber wrapped barrel. Proof made this variant of the rifle barrel popular to say the least. The problem here is that most people don’t understand the scope of what Proof Research does as a company. Yes, they make rifle barrels in carbon fiber and steel. They produce rifles too. But it doesn’t stop there, and technically doesn’t even start there. Think bigger. Much bigger. Think heavy duty military grade components that take advantage of the strength and weight savings carbon fiber and the accompanying resin technology offers. Say for instance, Apache helicopters. I know for a fact that Proof makes barrel systems for the M230 canon that rests on that platform. A tough role to fill but from such pursuits discoveries come. Discoveries like PXT (Proof Exponential Twist) technology.
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What Is Proof Research PXT Technology?
It’s probably best to think of PXT as a three pronged solution that includes, barrel, rifling twist and twist profile design and execution. This technology addresses many issues and limitations of the traditional barrel as we know it and it effects many different factors at work within the shooting system.
PXT was first developed in 2018, again for military platforms and cannons but necessarily expanded to what we have now starting in 2020 when the industry started to develop high pressure cartridges like the 7mm Backcountry. The new cartridges were and are creating pressures beyond our typical 62,000 psi and embarking upon 80,000 psi. Of course new cases had to be designed—new material combinations explored in the process. While these new cartridges would deliver more velocity and energy, it would exploit weaknesses in other areas such as case design and eventually in barrel design as well.
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Take It Slow
Naturally, new possibilities were considered in barrel materials and even coatings to mitigate heat and wear. But Proof was not satisfied with this as an answer, viewing coatings as being a bandaid of sorts, even if an effective one. Changing materials? How does that effect barrel production? While I’m no barrel maker I’d assume a harder material means increased challenges in manufacturing resulting in increased production times, different handling, and more wear on tools—not to mention how those materials may effect bullet performance. Proof locked in on the physics of what was happening at the breech during ignition. This spot is where the once damage but now magic actually starts.
Taking center stage is the actual rifling twist. Yes, the thing that we all take for granted as being a set ratio that is caliber and bullet weight dependent. In the typical barrel the bullet engages the rifling around 6 degrees and in the first quarter inch it is accelerated to maximum rotational speed. This results in significant wear in the first 2 inches of barrel not to mention has real damaging effects on the bullet itself.
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PXT employs a twist rate that starts extremely slow for a rather significant portion of the length of the rifling, decreasing that engagement angle by 85-90 percent. Think twist rates 1:250 or even 1:500 before it accelerates through the bore. This means less damage to rifling and barrel.
Another factor to consider is rifling profile. We’ve all observed traditional rifling and noticed how sharp the edges of the lands are. This sharpness deforms the bullet at some level and engraves the bullet. PXT incorporates a proprietary rifling profile that is smoother and less sharp which results in less torsional forces on the bullet jacket. There is some 30 percent reduction in engraving forces, resulting in less bullet deformation. There is also less wear on the lands and a more gradual twist transition. Everything is simply smoother.
Longer Barrel Life & Better Accuracy?
So let’s break it down into what all this means for you as the shooter. You get less wear on bullet and on barrel. So barrel life is extended. Reports from Proof show 30-100% barrel life increase before signs of measurable accuracy degradation. Longer barrels see the greatest benefit. Throat erosion is lessened as well, spread out over more of the bore due to the reduced lead angle and refined geometry of the rifling. All this allows for higher velocities and pressure without smoking the barrel too soon. Looks like we can have our cake and eat it too.
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What about accuracy? Does PXT shoot at all? Well, yes. According to Proof it demonstrated measurable improvements in accuracy and consistency in multiple ammo types, and lot variations. They report groups sizes of 20-50% better in controlled testing. Sounds like MOA all-day could be a real thing for many of us. Thanks Proof!
Another caveat, these barrels are less sensitive to bullet jump and powder charge. Again, thanks to a smoother, gentler engagement of the projectiles and rifling lead angle. I’m looking but I can’t find a “lose” with the PXT technology at least on paper and in theory. I have yet to shoot it myself but I have barrels inbound.
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In my discussions with Greg Hamilton, Director Of Special Projects at Proof, he spoke with somewhat contained excitement about it all as, he’s been working on it for quite some time now. The technology has long been in use in the real world, winning competitions nationwide as well as in other scenarios in other theaters. Greg is one of the winningest competitive shooters on this planet. If he’s doing the work and testing, it’s fully legit. Look him up.
Who Benefits Most From PXT?
With technology like this, a question I had was, what chambering would benefit most? Obviously those that burn up barrels like your 22 Creedmoors, 6 Creedmoors, 7mm PRC, and 7 Backcountry. As a long time lover of 300 Win Mag, I’ll add that to the list. But the simple fact is, everything benefits from such barrel rifling technology. The benefits extend past barrel longevity into improved recoil mannerisms due to the reduction in felt torque. Think, staying on target after the shot. Seeing more impact as and misses. It’s these little nuances that I think too many shooters overlook. Big performance upgrades can come in the way of seemingly minute changes as long as the shooter understands his or her equipment. So even a shooter of 6.5 Creedmoor could seriously benefit from PXT.
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According to Proof, gas gun shooters will see a marked improvement in felt torque, which can help them to track and stay on target easier after a shot. Keep in mind that with gas guns, more stress is introduced overall due to the stress induced by cycling of the gun, and increased heat due to faster firing sequences.
Barrels of PXT technology will be available in CF and steel for AR’s, and CF blanks and select CF prefits for other platforms. And in the future the tech will be offered in select OEM products. Expect a cost increase $150 per barrel for CF and $100 for steel.
Final Thoughts on Proof Research PXT
Yes, PXT looks to be quite possibly the greatest technological advancement ever in rifle barrels. Barrel-life worries may now officially be a thing of the past. This technology addresses pretty much all of the challenges with barrels in general, especially high round count ones, as well as general functional dynamics overall. The end result? A better shooting experience. And yes, it makes cleaning easier as well. All upsides, but time and use will tell. Again, I’m waiting for my barrels to arrive, so until then, this is just theory, but solid theory to this writer. Nonetheless I’m looking forward to testing the new barrels out.
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