Thread: Hardy Project X — seeking owners review

Hardy barrels shot lights out!
Very accurate and generally a bit fast that I would expect. Have owned 5 in various chamberings

A bit off topic. I got a featherweight (No 1) contour hardy stainless non-fluted barrel for a lite weight build and it shoots extremely well with a few different bullets. It’s 20 inch and at that length the weight saving on a carbon barrel would be negligible if any at all. From what I’ve read the weight savings only start being more significant with longer barrels. Accuracy wise there’s no benefit to carbon, the only benefit is retailers being able to separate customers from their money.

I’ve got a stainless Hardy barrel, it copper fouled something awful at the start, was picky on loads (6.5PRC) but seems to have settled down now after 200+ rounds thru it, I wouldn’t get another one.

I have two rifles that have trueflights on them that shot very well from the get go.

I have to say Ian Hughes has brilliant customer service when I've been making inquiry's. Would have to agree he makes it tempting to pull the trigger on one of their rifles despite still some of these negative Hardy comments that still surface.

I had Hardys chop and thread my remmy 700 for me a few years ago and they were great to deal with, cheap as chips and i had it back the next day so i was super impressed with the service.

A year or so ago i asked them if they would flute my barrel and bolt and they told me they only work on Tikkas now

Originally Posted by Tahr

Ive acquired a .243 Tikka varmint that Im unlikely to use. Tempted to put a 20" Hardy carbon on it in 22 creedmoor - should bring it back to about standard t3 weight.

@Tahr my 22 CM has a Hardy barrel and it goes great. Ian is a huge 22CM fan, so if you start the conversation with him, you’re basically doomed!

On YouTube South Island Rifle Walkers Stewart Island episode the rifle misfires on them whilst on camera. Bit embarrassing for Hardy

Originally Posted by LJP

Presumably they would test fire every rifle build to check function & accuracy? Those issues shouldn't happen if the QC is kept in check.

They do now.
Correct about Ian, Awesome to deal with and plenty of integrity.
I think they finally have it right!

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Update - Seriously considered doing a complete Project X rifle but in the end finances lead me to make the decision to simply rebarrell my existing rig with one of their carbon wrapped barrels. Went as far as telling Ian go ahead lets do it then received an email outlining the costs to chamber & fit said barrell. WOW that took my breath away! My previous dealings with the likes of Gunworks, Trueflite etc set me an expectation that the market rate was going to cost between $350-$500 for this service. Well Hardy's were well into doubling this plus asking an additional $200 for a muzzle thread. Simply stunned by this.

Myself being a business owner makes me appreciate the difficulties of the current economic climate & how hard it is to make money but this really shocked me.

Guess they wanna supply complete rifles or barrels but have no interest in us mere mortals being able to afford their gunsmithing services to install said product. It's a shame cause there product's look great & my interaction with Ian had left me with no doubt to proceed. Going to come up with a different plan now

So not a moan about Hardy's service but highlighting the huge difference in gun plumbers rates. Like always do your homework

Originally Posted by LJP

Update - Seriously considered doing a complete Project X rifle but in the end finances lead me to make the decision to simply rebarrell my existing rig with one of their carbon wrapped barrels. Went as far as telling Ian go ahead lets do it then received an email outlining the costs to chamber & fit said barrell. WOW that took my breath away! My previous dealings with the likes of Gunworks, Trueflite etc set me an expectation that the market rate was going to cost between $350-$500 for this service. Well Hardy's were well into doubling this plus asking an additional $200 for a muzzle thread. Simply stunned by this.

Myself being a business owner makes me appreciate the difficulties of the current economic climate & how hard it is to make money but this really shocked me.

Guess they wanna supply complete rifles or barrels but have no interest in us mere mortals being able to afford their gunsmithing services to install said product. It's a shame cause there product's look great & my interaction with Ian had left me with no doubt to proceed. Going to come up with a different plan now

So not a moan about Hardy's service but highlighting the huge difference in gun plumbers rates. Like always do your homework

That’s honestly not that expensive if it’s double that I had a quote from trueflight a few years ago now that would have being about double that my last new barrel bedding and work to stock to fit carbon barrel was in the realm of $1500 from memory

Had a hybrid for 5 years, great rifle very accurate.

Would have another tomorrow.

Buy a barrel and suppressor and get another smith to do the work. I just did on a 16 inch carbon 22cm. Come up mint

Yep, but if the said rifle does not shoot to expectation. Who is blaming who?

Originally Posted by Friwi

Yep, but if the said rifle does not shoot to expectation. Who is blaming who?

Yep my thoughts exactly. If I’m spending good $ wanna be sure it shoots.


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Originally Posted by LJP

Update - Seriously considered doing a complete Project X rifle but in the end finances lead me to make the decision to simply rebarrell my existing rig with one of their carbon wrapped barrels. Went as far as telling Ian go ahead lets do it then received an email outlining the costs to chamber & fit said barrell. WOW that took my breath away! My previous dealings with the likes of Gunworks, Trueflite etc set me an expectation that the market rate was going to cost between $350-$500 for this service. Well Hardy's were well into doubling this plus asking an additional $200 for a muzzle thread. Simply stunned by this.

Myself being a business owner makes me appreciate the difficulties of the current economic climate & how hard it is to make money but this really shocked me.

Guess they wanna supply complete rifles or barrels but have no interest in us mere mortals being able to afford their gunsmithing services to install said product. It's a shame cause there product's look great & my interaction with Ian had left me with no doubt to proceed. Going to come up with a different plan now

So not a moan about Hardy's service but highlighting the huge difference in gun plumbers rates. Like always do your homework

How long ago were the previous dealings ?
I'm not saying your wrong just the prices on builds I've had quoted in the last 6 months at different smiths have gone up.


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