A proof round fired in a barrel is actual proof.
I perfect example of why the Internet is not such a good place to get information if bad information is passed. In this day and age of modern technology, you think people would know how to pass on information that was correct.
Please someone remind me if I ever need information that I don't ask Swampman or MSP Ret.
Tell me what US gun maker actually proof tests and marks there barrel according to Proofing a barrel. I will tell you, NONE. Not one company is going to test fire every barrel and then have it magna fluxed to check for cracks and then sold, it can't be done on mass produced guns and is not done in the USA. Again a proof round does not make a proofed barrel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Proof_HouseThe Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House was established in 1813 by an act of Parliament at the request - and expense - of the then prosperous Birmingham Gun Trade. Its remit was to provide a testing and certification service for firearms in order to prove their quality of construction, particularly in terms of the resistance of barrels to explosion under firing conditions. Such testing prior to sale or transfer of firearms is made mandatory by the Gun Barrel Proof Acts 1868-1989, which make it an offence to sell, offer for sale, transfer, export or pawn an unproofed firearm, with certain exceptions for military organisations.
The Proof House still exists today, largely unchanged in both purpose and construction, although it offers a wider range of services including ammunition testing and firearm accident investigation.
The Proof process is that of testing a firearm for integrity using a severely overcharged cartridge, or Proof load which is fired through the gun in an armoured testing chamber. This exposes it to pressures far beyond what it would experience in normal service. It is awarded a stamped Proof Mark if it survives without either being destroyed or suffering damage from the proof load. Larger guns were tested at a shooting range in Bordesley along a railway viaduct however, the expansion of the city centre resulted in the closure of the shooting range.
Proof may be rendered invalid if the firearm is damaged or modified significantly; at this point it is described as "out of proof" and must be re-proofed before it can be sold or transferred.
Note that the correct term for a satisfactorily tested firearm is Proofed, and not Proven.
Penalties for noncompliance with proof laws are severe; a fine of £5000 (approx $9000 US) may be levied for selling an unproofed or out-of proof firearm, more if a number of firearms are involved in a transaction. Tampering with, or forging a proof mark is regarded as even more serious.
The Proof House is located in Banbury Street, Birmingham, England. It contains a museum of arms and ammunition, and can be visited subject to prior arrangement. See also Birmingham Gun Quarter.
Proof charge (Firearms), a charge of powder and ball,
greater than the service charge, fired in an arm, as a gun
or cannon, to test its strength.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_markA proof test is a test wherein a deliberately overpressure round is fired from a firearm in order to verify that the firearm is not defective and will not explode on firing. The firearm is inspected after the test, and if it is found to be in sound condition, then it is marked with a Proof Mark to indicate that is has been proofed (not proven). In many jurisdictions a proof test and valid proof mark are required for the sale of firearms.
A proof round is an ammunition assembly designed to be used in proof testing; this can use a fixed cartridge, a semi-fixed cartridge, or separately loaded projectile, charge and primer. A proof shot is a special projectile used in a proof round or other projectile weapons, EM guns for example. Small arms proof rounds resemble normal cartridges, though they will typically bear special markings to prevent them from being confused for standard cartridges. Large calibre arms, such as artillery, will in general use an inert solid projectile (the proof shot); although water, sand or iron (powder) filled versions can be found for testing recoil systems.
