Carbon Fiber Barrels

[Bee3440]

Looking to build a medium-light weight hunting rifle (8-10# with optic) and just want some opinions on carbon fiber barrels. Mostly looking for pros and cons, and brand recommendations.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

My 6.5x06 had a #0 profile ChroMoly barrel and weighed 5# 12oz. No need for a carbon wrapped barrel to build a pretty light rifle...my opinion.

 

[gme]

the Proof Research carbon (and stainless) barrels I've put on have shot well, similar weight to a light sporter contour, more "cool factor" (and $$$)

 

[ROBARRC50]

Pros are big stiff contour thats lighter than steel. Cool factor for looks Proof carbon barrels i have will shoot with any of my bartleins. I see no impact change from heat. Cons are for some reason way worse barrel mirrage through scope like 20 rounds fired in hot weather at a fast pace. it is damn near hard to see target through scope. My steel barrels dont have that problem. You wont have to worry about barrel mirage on a hunting setup. Thats my experience with carbon barrels

 

[Gabe22BR]

I got a Christensen Arms Scout-
All carbon fiber-223 cal

Shoots almost as good as my ppc..@ 100yds

 

[B23]

With CF wrapped barrels it's mostly about esthetics, as in they look cool, and, if you like the look of a larger contour barrel but you don't want the added weight of a larger contour a CF wrapped barrel is for you. Also, if you use suppressors and you want a larger muzzle diameter without the weight of a all steel barrel, CF wrapped barrel is an option.

There have been multiple tests done, one by a very reputable smith that frequently posts here, with regard to barrel flex and they've all shown the same results, two barrels of equal length and weight, one all steel the other CF wrapped, the equal length and weight all steel barrel had less flex than did the CF wrapped barrel. Doesn't mean a CF wrapped barrel still can't shoot good but the whole they're stiffer argument never holds water.

I have a few CF wrapped barrels, both, Proof Research and CA, because #1) I think they look cool. #2) I shoot everything suppressed and all my suppressors are DT so I like a larger muzzle diameter for them to tighten up against. #3) I just like how larger diameter contours look and if I can achieve that with a little less weight, great.

I did not purchase any CF wrapped barrel because I think they are stiffer, cool faster, or will shoot better than a all steel barrel. So far, I've been fortunate and all of mine have shot very well. I will say and this is after talking to a few different, very, reputable barrel companies, there is a higher risk in getting a barrel that doesn't shoot great with a CF wrapped barrel than there is with a all steel barrel. But, if don't mind spending twice as much, you like how they look, want a larger contour barrel but without the extra weight and you're willing to take the risk it may not shoot superbly a CF wrapped barrel could be for you.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I got a Sig Cross rifle for a light weight hunting rig, possibly for an antelope hunt. I put a 20" Bartlein carbon fiber barrel on it and fitted my suppressor. Did it in 6XC because I always have a lot of ammo loaded. All together with a Sig BDX 4-14 scope, sling, suppressor, and a loaded 5 round mag it weighs less than 9 pounds.

 

[Bee3440]

Does that smith have any threads about his testing? I would like to see what he has to say. I figured it would be mostly aesthetics, but I also am planning on a can in the future so a bit of a shoulder would be nice. What profile would be suggested in a plain ole stainless for both weight saving and the ability to comfortably suppress it?

 

[Gabe22BR]

Here’s mine..6lb.9oz
I use a Dead Air TI can

 

[Prose]

With a mcmillan edge fill, a 24" #2 contour barrel, and a 20 oz scope you expect about 7 1/2 pounds.

 

[B23]

There's nothing lightweight about CF barreled builds. My 6mm Creedmoor is on a trued SA Rem 700 w/fluted bolt, 20in Proof CF barrel, Vortex HS-T 4-16X44 scope which is a fairly light optic, NF 20 MOA rail and NF .885 UL rings, McM Varmint stock, and just the scoped rifle, no extras, it weighs over 9lbs as it sits in this pic. With the SAS Barricade suppressor it's 10lbs not including ammo. The SAS Barricade weighs 12.2oz

 

[Webster]

Looking to build a medium-light weight hunting rifle (8-10# with optic) and just want some opinions on carbon fiber barrels. Mostly looking for pros and cons, and brand recommendations.

Too much money. Buy a Kreiger, Brux, Bartlein or Pac Nor barrel and be happy.

 

[White Eagle]

Funny mine weighs in at 8.2 # without ammo

 

[alf]

I won't do another, same weight as a sporter barrel at twice the cost......

 

[Franko]

I chose a 26 inch Bartlein CF barrel for my 7mmRM. For a rifle using a shorter barrel (say a 20 inch 7mm/08 or .308) I would be using a standard steel lightweight contour. I chose to use Bartlein over Proof at the suggestion of the gunsmith cutting my barrel. He saw fewer issues with Bartlein compared to Proof.

 

[B23]

Not all CF wrapped barrels are created equal, that's for sure. IMO, Bartlein makes one of the better CF barrels but they also leave more steel on the barrel before they're CF wrapped so Bartlein's CF barrels tend to be heavier than the others as well.

Bartlein not only makes one of the best barrels money can buy but Frank Green w/Bartlein frequents many different forums and is always willing to answer any barrel or shooting related question thrown at him. I don't know if my next barrel will be a CF or all steel barrel but I do know it will be one from Bartlein.

 

[B23]

Funny mine weighs in at 8.2 # without ammo
View attachment 1363158

That's a good looking rifle you have there. Who's barrel did you use on that build? Also, your stock appears to be a CF shell as well. Is that a Manners or Mesa or??

I could probably drop the weight of mine by a good pound if I would have used something like a Manners Elite stock that had a CF shell but I already had that McM Varmint so I just used what I had for my 6CM build.

 

[Clancy]

I won't do another, same weight as a sporter barrel at twice the cost......

Cool factor was definitely there on this one though! Slick rig.

 

[White Eagle]

Mine is a Springfield Armory 2020 Waypoint
I believe the stock is AG composite and the barrel is BSF
all in all a fantastic deal for what you get

 

[284winner]

I have Proof Carbon, Bartlein and X-Caliber carbon fiber wrapped barrels. All M24 or straight contour but weighing in at well under 4lbs each. All around 24-26". I can't tell the difference between any brand names in accuracy, cleaning and wear. I can't agree to buy a Sporter weight barrel personally. Mine aren't that light. Around 9lbs for each which for me IS a lightweight rifle. Wouldn't want one any lighter personally. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3 company's I mentioned IMO.