Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Proof research elevation

I'm interested in this rifle and wondering if anyone has had their hands on one or reviewed one yet?
It looks like a nice build off a bighorn origin action and proof sendero barrel and the the price is less than most custom built rifles with similar components.
Thanks

I have one, and I like it a lot so far. It's pretty light (not quite as light as my Fieldcraft) and just feels great in the hands. It's slightly muzzle heavy which I like as well, because I shoot a muzzle heavy gun better off hand.

I haven't done serious load work yet.I just loaded enough to get it sighted and shoot a 2 5-shot groups. Both groups were sub moa, shooting with a Dead Air Sandman Ti can. Definitely looks like its going to be a shooter once I get it all dialed in.

Pretty dang happy so far!

Had my hands on both the Elevation and the Terminus ($6K) the other day. both are very smooth, just a little muzzle heavy, and have fantastic triggers. Grip area is slender, but comfortable. Elevation is a 1MOA guaranteed gun, while the Terminus is 1/2MOA.

From what I've been told, the Elevation uses a CF wrapped, button rifled barrel, whereas the Terminus uses a CF cut-rifled barrel.

proof is a couple hours away from me. I travel that area often for work. About a month ago I was able to stop by and get my hands on some rifles. I was pretty impressed across the board on all their rifles. I had not even heard of the Elevation but it definitely peaked my interest as it is a bit more in my price range. I dont think you can really go wrong with a Bighorn action. I made the decision and now have a 6.5 Creedmoor on order. Have a VX-3 that is just begging to be on that rifle.

WiFowler, the barrel is cut rifled. Proof currently doesn't button rifle any barrels. The main difference between the elevation and their other rifles is the Elevation is a semi-production rifle, while all their other builds are straight hand fit custom builds. The Elevation also uses the Bighorn Origin action, a lower cost action than their TL3. I was told by one of the Proof factory guys that the Elevation only has a 1 MOA guarantee since they aren't doing all the hand fitting/bedding. In their tests though, these rifles were shooting very much sub-MOA. With only two groups through mine so far, I can't add much to that, but I was pleased both groups were sub-MOA with my very first load tested, which usually bodes well for the rifles accuracy one I wring everything out.

Great timing on this thread. I've been going back and forth on ordering one of these. I did recently confirm that they will now be set up with a TriggerTech trigger, believe some of the earlier rifles had a Timney. I also did ask about the barrels, per the email I got back from Proof its their standard production Sendero contour barrel on the Elevation rifles, wish they would of gone with a Sendero Lite but so it goes.

JohnChilds, which caliber did you go with? Any chance you could post up some pictures of you rig? Also what is the actual weight of yours sans scope, so just the bare rifle if you ever weighed it. Supposed to be something like 6.5lbs for the Creedmoors.

Appreciate anything you can add to the thread!
Frank

Oregon Muley, I am pretty sure they are a Sendero Light contour. I believe you are correct with the creeds being around 6.5lbs.

Edit: Proof site says Sendero. I think that is a mistake. I am like 85% sure its a Sendero Light. Ordered mine through Montana Tactical and their site shows a Sendero Light. I honestly am going to give them a call in a bit to confirm.

Well, that would be nice - either way for the price its a lot of rifle based on the parts you are getting.

I called and confirmed that it is a Sendero Light. They were not aware of that mistake on the website and are going to update.

Excellent - thanks for checking that. Maybe I'll have to hit up JohnChilds and see if I could check out his rifle - he lives in the same area as me so would be great to actually see one versus just picutres.

Oregon Muley, hit me up and if we can make a time work, I'd be happy to meet up with you and let you look at the rifle.

I got a 6.5 Creedmoor. I'm on the road for a couple days so I can't snap a picture or weigh it. I'll try and remember to do both when I get back from my trip.

Thanks for all the feedback. I currently have a proof summit and it's great but was a lot more expensive so really like the idea of the elevation in .308. I have two other customs with the proof barrels and they are great shooters but also cost a lot more than the elevation.

Great thank you! Will PM you.
Frank

Well then, I was lied to by one of the PROOF guys at SHOT. Not surprising.

Just got done looking at Johns rifle, and I'll say I'm sure impressed with the overall feel and fit and finish of the rifle. Much nicer than I had expected and a much nicer looking rifle than what they appear in the pictures. Overall really like how it handled and the action sure was smooth the cycle.
I like it and will be ordering one soon!

Thank you again for stopping by the house - much appreciated John.

Mine is being delivered today. I can't wait to get my hands on it. I chose the 6.5 creed. I recently acquired a 6.5x55 in the Fieldcraft and also a Forbes/ULA conversion in 6.5 creed. I'm anxious to see how it measures up to them. I'll let you know my comparative thoughts on fit, finish, feel soon. BTW this is my first post ever!

Ok so first impression is “boy that’s muzzle heavy”. Stock isn’t overly impressive, action is smooth, fit and finish is nice. Not sure I can get over muzzle heavy weight though. I compare it to a ridgeline as far as weight goes but $1k more. Will it shoot lights out, possibly...hopefully!!!

I’m waiting for one to show up locally before I take the plunge myself. How muzzle heavy is it? I actually prefer my rifles just slightly muzzle heavy.

Once you put a scope on it I think you will like it better. The one I had a chance to handle from a forum member had a scope on and I didn't feel it was overly muzzle heavy at all. What didn't you like about the stock??

I’ve got my scope but the rings Talley told me would fit, didn’t. It basically takes two FRONT Remington 700 bases/rings. Regardless, the stock just seemed to be missing in some area for me. My Fieldcraft on first feel was an excellent stock. Most of my customs are McMillan Edge and they just seem made with more heft if that makes sense. Not that they’re heavier but less hollow I guess. I love the thinness in the wrist of the elevation. My VX3 is just waiting on my replacement Talley’s and yes I agree I think it’ll balance much better.

Ok so I’m trying some loads I use in my other creeds and they’re too long for the mag box. I’ve had to shove my 143 eld-x down to 2.6” just to get them in. I WANT this rifle but it’s not giving me much to work with so far. I’m going to do my best but this has been a rocky start.

2.6”? So it has a shorter box than even a 700?

John

I’ve measured the mag box on the first one we got in. 2.865”.

I’ll take mine apart tomorrow and measure everything. I started scratching my head thinking what in the world is going on? How’s it not at least 2.800”? I found it odd too but had to give up for the evening for family time!

So I measured the box, 2.844”. Going to try other loads again. Maybe operator error. Mine is a hunting rig so feeding is essential.

So I loaded some at 2.800” fed fine, fit in mag fine so OBVIOUSLY I wasn’t thinking clearly last night. Sorry Proof Research. Got my new Talleys in. They’re for a Nesika action, in case anyone wants to know. Mounted VX3 3.5x10 and is still very slightly muzzle heavy so if you like that like most of you have said then that’ll be a plus for you! Hope to head to the range soon!!! Load H4350 and 143 eldx first so should be a good recipe.

I handled one at Scheels in Billings the other day.

Loved the stock but hated the 24" bbl.

22" would be awesome imho.

Longshot, I went leupold extended DD front with standard DD front in the rear on my origin and it worked out perfect FWIW.

Range report is so good that I’ve just posted my Mel Forbes conversion on Gunbroker. All loads were .5” to 1.0” with just the few I had loaded. I used a Lead Sled but also shot off hand and it balanced well. Ate the ELDX like butter. It did however get outshot by my 6.5x55 Fieldcraft and 130 Accubonds! Just saying, Barrett is a sweet A$* Rig!

Question for you guys with the elevation rifles. I’m wanting to use talley one piece base/rings on the rifle I ordered. Will Nesika Bay rings work? I was told by origin it uses two front style Remington talleys but was wondering if they’re 8-40 screws?

Not specifically regarding the Elevation, but more toward the Bighorn Origin action that it's built on.

IMHO, the Origin is a fine action, barring one thing. The ejection/loading port is too small. I have a custom built on an Origin action, using BDL hinged bottom metal. Loading the rifle is, well let's just say, a challenge. First round in the magazine is fine. Subsequent rounds not so, and you may (I do) find yourself cussing a blue streak. I got so fed up (no pun intended) with the Origin/BDL bottom metal configuration that I had my stock re-inletted for M5 DBM and now use AICS mags. No loading or feeding issues - none.

FWIW, I suspect the TL3 and SR3 have 'smallish' loading/ejection ports. For that reason I'm gonna shy away from Bighorn actions in the future and more than likely use Defiance. One of the Proof rifles, can't recall which, uses the Defiance Deviant Hunter action which again, IMHO, is much more conducive to loading from the top. As always, YMMV.

This may be pure ignorance on my end, but say a rifle has a 1-MOA guarantee and weighs 5lbs 14oz and costs $3k, and another rifle weighs 6lbs 4oz and also has a 1-MOA guarantee and costs $750. Other than a diet of 6oz, what does that extra $2250 get me (assuming equal accuracy)? Especially in a hunting rifle.

If you have a good gun smith and use a 700 action and a good custom barrel and have the action blue printed and bed it good into a good B&C stock you can have a super accurate rifle for a lot less than that.

Did you have a pic rail on or Talleys? Or is it purely the ejection port making it difficult to load?

Nothing really. A tikka would shoot just as well and cost a lot less. Kinda like why buy a king ranch when you could do the same with an xlt? I don’t know the answer to that....but I do like my king ranch.