I really like the carbon fiber barrels. I like the way the look as well as being light weight but I have one issue.....accuracy. I have never seen a CF barrel that shot as good as a steel barrel. I talked with a gunsmith and of course he had his opinion that they weren't that accurate for what they cost. A premium carbon barrel is close to twice the cost of a premium steel barrel so are they really worth it? I hate to spend close to $1000 for a barrel and installation and not have anything better than what I could have got for less money. I'm sure many can give Pro's and Con's. Please advise me as I know very little about carbon barrels. Which ones to look at and which ones to stay away from. Who has the best barrel for the money and most accurate. What kind of accuracy should one expect? Just educate me please!
Carbon fiber barrels?
- Thread starter pyscodog
- Start date
There has been A LOT of discussion, debate/s, and arguments regarding CF wrapped barrels over the years but when you boil all the marketing BS off the top there is really only two benefits to a CF wrapped barrel.
They are lighter but, ONLY, when compared to an all steel barrel of the same diameter. You'll hear all kinds of stories about how they are stiffer or more rigid but that has been debunked many times and when you compare an all steel barrel of the same weight, which is usually about a #4 contour, as a CF wrapped barrel the all steel barrel is more rigid and has less deflection.
It really boils down to aesthetics. If you like how CF wrapped barrels look or you like the look of a larger contour but don't want the extra weight AND you don't mind spending nearly if not twice the amount for a barrel then a CF wrapped barrel may be for you.
But, if you talk to any of the barrel makers that will be honest with you they'll tell you there is a certain risk with turned down then CF wrapped barrel that it may not shoot as well as an all steel barrel. I've talked to one of the most highly regarded barrel companies out there that now offers CF wrapped barrels and they told me the only reason they offer CF barrels is because there is a market for them and they were getting endless calls to offer a CF wrapped barrels so they did. It certainly wasn't because they thought CF wrapping barrels makes them shoot better.
I have Proof Research CF barrels on my 6 and 6.5 Creedmoor and a new Christensen Arms Ridgeline 6.5 PRC which has CA's CF barrel. So far so good and they all shoot very well but that's a fairly small sample size and I know multiple gunsmiths that really don't like using CF barrels on builds because they don't trust them to shoot well on a regular basis. Some gunsmiths won't give you the same accuracy guarantee when you use a CF barrel.
They are lighter but, ONLY, when compared to an all steel barrel of the same diameter. You'll hear all kinds of stories about how they are stiffer or more rigid but that has been debunked many times and when you compare an all steel barrel of the same weight, which is usually about a #4 contour, as a CF wrapped barrel the all steel barrel is more rigid and has less deflection.
It really boils down to aesthetics. If you like how CF wrapped barrels look or you like the look of a larger contour but don't want the extra weight AND you don't mind spending nearly if not twice the amount for a barrel then a CF wrapped barrel may be for you.
But, if you talk to any of the barrel makers that will be honest with you they'll tell you there is a certain risk with turned down then CF wrapped barrel that it may not shoot as well as an all steel barrel. I've talked to one of the most highly regarded barrel companies out there that now offers CF wrapped barrels and they told me the only reason they offer CF barrels is because there is a market for them and they were getting endless calls to offer a CF wrapped barrels so they did. It certainly wasn't because they thought CF wrapping barrels makes them shoot better.
I have Proof Research CF barrels on my 6 and 6.5 Creedmoor and a new Christensen Arms Ridgeline 6.5 PRC which has CA's CF barrel. So far so good and they all shoot very well but that's a fairly small sample size and I know multiple gunsmiths that really don't like using CF barrels on builds because they don't trust them to shoot well on a regular basis. Some gunsmiths won't give you the same accuracy guarantee when you use a CF barrel.
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skinney
Director
Con- They heat up quicker than SS
Pro- They cool down quicker than SS
Con- Price vs SS
Pro- Weight vs SS
I've ran probably close to half a dozen Proofs, a few of the new GW Carbons, A lot of the Hardy CF's as well.
Had issues with SS as well a CF not wanting to group. Also had really really good results with CF barrels shooting just as good as any of my best Rocks, Broughtons, Brux, Bartleins, Mullerworks and Shilens have.
Most of the time you get a good one.
Pro- They cool down quicker than SS
Con- Price vs SS
Pro- Weight vs SS
I've ran probably close to half a dozen Proofs, a few of the new GW Carbons, A lot of the Hardy CF's as well.
Had issues with SS as well a CF not wanting to group. Also had really really good results with CF barrels shooting just as good as any of my best Rocks, Broughtons, Brux, Bartleins, Mullerworks and Shilens have.
Most of the time you get a good one.
I just watched a video on a certain carbon barrel, no need to mention brand. It shot about an inch at 100yds with a three shot group. They unscrewed the barrel and beat the living crap out of a cinder block then screwed it back on and shot another three shot group. About the same size group but a couple of inchs higher. I have rifles that shoot one inch groups and no intentions of beating cinder blocks with the barrel so I got very little from the video other than they make good clubs. I do like them being light weight and I do like the looks but if they don't shoot, I have very little use for them.
I know all barrels aren't created equal. Some are tack drivers and some aren't be it carbon or steel. I have a new rifle and accuracy isn't even what I call decent hunting accuracy and thought about a new barrel and maybe going carbon. Kinda one last hurrah for me at my age. But spending $1000 for a new barrel is a pretty good hit for me so IF I do it I want to enjoy it not regret it.
I know all barrels aren't created equal. Some are tack drivers and some aren't be it carbon or steel. I have a new rifle and accuracy isn't even what I call decent hunting accuracy and thought about a new barrel and maybe going carbon. Kinda one last hurrah for me at my age. But spending $1000 for a new barrel is a pretty good hit for me so IF I do it I want to enjoy it not regret it.
I have always liked the looks of a heavy barreled rifle. It used to be, all my rifles were at least a heavy sporter or sendero contour. The years are catching up to me and I seem to be shying away from the heavy weight barrels even though I still like the way they look. Therefor, the looks of the carbon fiber barrels still gives me the look that I like without all the weight. But it must be accurate as well. I keep planning on thinning the herd and using the money to build a semi custom rifle. As of now...my plans aren't working to well. I seem to keep buying and not selling much. Maybe I need to work on my plan a little first.
I have Proof CF barrels for 204, 22Creed, 6XC, 6.5 Creed, 6.5PRC and 7WSM and haven't had single accuracy issue with any of them. Every one of them is 1/2MOA at the worst. Early CF barrels gave CF barrels a bad rap. I haven't heard of Proof having accuracy issues in years outside a the one or two everyone hears about, but how many of them are actually bad barrels and not just the nut behind it assuming it would shoot with whatever BS ammo they put through it.
LLCattleTex
New member
Bartlein makes a carbon barrel now. After having a handful of their standard barrels they would make the top of my list to try.
My smith has chambered up a few and he doesn’t like them. In his opinion you’re just as well off with a lighter contour standard barrel as far as bang for your buck. He shoots every gun he builds and hand loads for his builds if the customer wants the service. His experience is that the barrels are a little more picky on loads. I trust my smith and he’s been doing it a long time. However, YMMV.
My smith has chambered up a few and he doesn’t like them. In his opinion you’re just as well off with a lighter contour standard barrel as far as bang for your buck. He shoots every gun he builds and hand loads for his builds if the customer wants the service. His experience is that the barrels are a little more picky on loads. I trust my smith and he’s been doing it a long time. However, YMMV.