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Carbon fiber barrel for FTR competition

gene so

Hello,

I have learned about FTR competition at a Litz seminar. I have a A5 McMillan solid pour stock, good scope and Stolle F class action that would be suitable for this class. I would have to shoot a .308 and note that to make this class weight ,the .30 caliber barrrel would have to be lighter than I would wish for those long shot strings in this type of competition.
Nobody I know about has ever used one of the carbon fibre barrels for competition. Not being familiar with them, if they provide the accuracy of a Bartlein or Krieger they appeal to me for having a long, light barrel to get the maximum from loading the .308 cartridge for the longer ranges.
I'd really appreciate any experienced help in this matter.

Thanks, in advance,

G.S.
 
From my reading and shooting experience, not many are using carbon fiber-wrapped barrels in F-TR. That is not necessarily evidence they won't work well, but merely an observation. Do you have an estimate of how much weight you can devote to the barrel? There are a pretty wide range of weights available in 30-32" lengths depending on which contour you choose. As opposed to a heavier contour such as MTU or heavy varmint, you may find something in one of the Palma contours in a standard steel barrel that will give you the length you need at a weight that will allow you make the limit.
 
Greg knows his stuff.

I would sell your solid pour stock and get something lighter. You are throwing serious money at something that can easily be overcome by going with lightweight stock or chassis.

BTW, I'm not scared of carbon barrels, I just don't think this is the application I'd purchase one for:

rifles_zpshlhfwqam.jpg
 
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You might want to take a look at Bryan's most recent book if you didn't already pick up a copy from the seminar. There is a chapter in there that talks extensively about the performance of various things like fluting, carbon fiber, etc. I've thought about doing a project like this myself, but given the price point I'm a little hesitant. It is a pretty cool idea, though :)

It might be a better idea to order a more purpose built stock, such as the McMillan XIT model, sell your A5 to recoup the difference, and go with a more traditional barrel design.
 
Gene,

Is suspect if you could make this work accurately over long string you would start a trend that changes the game, again. The 36" - 38" CF barrel would be right around the corner. Guys could get hot 30-06 or mild 300wm velocity with 200s.

I agree that you're easiest, safest and likely least expensive route is to sell the stock, get a lite or elite/edge fill and then go with the heaviest 32" steel barrel that your setup allows to make weight.

Chris
 
Cheapest way is to follow gstaylorg's advice. For those 20 shot strings; you will want your rifle to weigh in JUST under the limit for your class.

I have a fiber clad rifle barrel that shoots great, but I have no experience with one as a match rifle barrel.
 
I would rather have 2 stainless barrels spun up at the same time instead of one carbon. Then I have a backup. 2 is one and 1 is none...
 
My concern would be heat management in F class shooting. We tend to shoot fast, barrels get really hot as it is. I don't think Carbon transfers heat as fast as steel so the steel would get hot and stay hotter. I think...


I'd also need to understand the process a lot better better before put one on a rifle that was trying to shoot X's in a 5" X-ring at 1000 yards
 
I have shot at several matches Norm and the treasury crew have been at. He's no joke. Only guy I ever saw running to and from the pits. I haven't seen him in years so I had no idea he was shooting CF. Norm was as fast with a scope as most F Class guys, but I have also watched him just sit and wait for conditions for like 6 or 7 minutes. I was just scoring and it was stressing me out waiting...

His use carries a lot of weight with me. Maybe I haven't given them a fair shake. I wonder now if he has these customs cut and wrapped, as these are significantly longer than any CF barrel I have seen.
 
XTR said:
My concern would be heat management in F class shooting. We tend to shoot fast, barrels get really hot as it is. I don't think Carbon transfers heat as fast as steel so the steel would get hot and stay hotter. I think...


I'd also need to understand the process a lot better better before put one on a rifle that was trying to shoot X's in a 5" X-ring at 1000 yards
Click to expand...
From what I've read carbon fiber transfers heat and will dissipate it much faster than steel, look at race car brake pads and the front of the space shuttle. Carbon fiber grabs the heat away from the steel liner and transfers it to the air.
I would sure like to try one but we can get almost 3 regular barrels for the price of one carbon barrel.
 
Thermal conductivity of steel is much better than carbon fiber in epoxy. I cant think of any use for a carbon barrel. The process used is critical, and its easy to make a barrel that will walk with heat. My personal experience with them has not been great. I have heard good things about the new proof stuff, but for 900 bucks Id run a fluted #3 and bet money it will shoot smaller and not walk with heat. The other thing with the carbon barrel is now you need a stock with a wide forend. So that mitigates some of the weight savings. They look cool and are in style right now. But as far as real world benefits, I dont think they offer any.
 
308sawyer said:
From what I've read carbon fiber transfers heat and will dissipate it much faster than steel, look at race car brake pads and the front of the space shuttle. Carbon fiber grabs the heat away from the steel liner and transfers it to the air.
I would sure like to try one but we can get almost 3 regular barrels for the price of one carbon barrel.
Click to expand...

The point of CF in racing applications is that the CF itself is lighter and can handle higher heat loads than steel. My thought here is that the CF acts as an insulator around the steel.

Carbon Fiber in Epoxy Thermal conductivity in (watts per meter kelvin): 5-7 in plane, .5-.8 transverse

Steel runs about 16-24.

The CF is holding the heat in the steel.
 
What XTR said ^^^^^^^^^^
Carbon fibers transfer heat away from the source along the direction of the fibers but only minimally in a direction transverse to the fiber direction.
 
With the heavy for caliber bullets we use in F-TR, 185-230 gr. there is a lot of torque with the common 1:10 twist. With much less weight on the bipod, would that become a problem? Anyone else have experience or a theory?
 
I think a carbon fiber barrel on a hunting rifle is a great idea. Light weight and, relative to a hunting rifle, long life span. On a TR rifle, shooting 1500=2000 rounds a year, you only get 3-4 years max, with 1 setback, before it is replaced entirely. Considering most CF barrels don't have enough metal to do a set back you might get 2 years out of it at the most. Thats quite a chunk of change to throw in the trash every other year.
 
Cburlette said:
I think a carbon fiber barrel on a hunting rifle is a great idea. Light weight and, relative to a hunting rifle, long life span. On a TR rifle, shooting 1500=2000 rounds a year, you only get 3-4 years max, with 1 setback, before it is replaced entirely. Considering most CF barrels don't have enough metal to do a set back you might get 2 years out of it at the most. Thats quite a chunk of change to throw in the trash every other year.
Click to expand...

I don't think you'd like the open class Craig. Lol try 2 a year for the big calibers.
 
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