Carbon Fiber Barrel's

VirginiaCoyote

VirginiaCoyote

New member
I was reading that Carbon Fiber barrels resist corrosion more so than stainless. Also, that they are stronger and handle heat better than other barrels. Also, that they're pretty much just all around better than stainless barrel's. And most imortantly more accurate than any barrel's available. Is all this true? Where could I find more information? I was extremely interested in purchasing a new Howa as they are offering the carbon fiber barrel's now. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks
 
All sales hype. Think about it all that carbon fiber really does is insulate the barrel. A strong negative; the outer barrel feels cooler but the inner barrel is much hotter than a standard all metal barrel. No I'm afraid that a stainless barrel is much superior to the carbon fiber. The fiber barrels were the rage a few years ago but are fading away quietly. If they are that great I'm wondering why we are not seeing them as big time winners on the bench rest circuit? Any ideas?
 
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FALFire,
The question was if carbon fiber barrels are better and more accurate than steel barrels, not where he could find the best place to get one.

VirginiaCoyote,
I see the only advantage to a carbon fiver over a steel or stainless steel is that weight far less.
 
Quote:
WHO GIVES A RATS AZZ

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Well you see they told VirginiaCoyote that these carbon barrels where more accurate than any others. So if they really are that good sure everyone would like to know there just tearing up the bench rest circuit with all of that high accuracy. Just a little proof of the pudding you might say.
 
Okay.... I apoligize, to my knowledge they simply are Not more accurate by any means to a standard match grade comp barrel. I was only letting him know of a company that uses very good barrels, Rock Creek from Mike Rock and that info is available at that site if he wished to pursue it.

It seems that many times a barrel is garbage simply because it's not a Lilja, Hart, Douglas or whatever comes to mind of being absolutely the best barrel out there. Many barrels are more than adequate to do what most of us here on The PM's do. Not many national or world champion shooters hang out here, although I'm sure they wished they did /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I seem to hear more and more of "If it don't shoot in the 1's or 2' all day long it ain't good enough for ya". Gosh if someone can shoot that good most of the time they should be gettin' paid to do it.

I didn't mean to come across as an A$$, however I do that sometimes with no harm meant. Even my Major looked at me a little odd today, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif must have been sumptin I said /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
FALFire

I wouldn’t worry about it I’ve got pretty thick skin.

Now there a lots of good barrels out there that’s not the point I was trying to make. They were using a lot of hype we hear being used in the shooting industry today that just isn’t based in fact. If they had said it was lighter as cjg beef said I would have been in total agreement. But they went on and on and on with statements that if someone was to pin them down were not factual.

Now I have a couple of guns that do shoot 1’s and 2’s but I have lots of other that aren’t quite that good. I enjoy them all or I sell them. Lots of guys can shoot that good on a given day but few can shoot that good consistently day in and day out. If they do they are usually on the National circuit, I’m not one of those guys.

Anyway I’d not worry about it if I was you. This is just a Forum and sometimes we all say things that we wish we hadn’t myself included.
 
Composite barrels are exactly that....composite. The 'barrel' is typically a stainless tube just like any other barrel that has been turned down and covered with a carbon fiber or graphite wrap.
I have had the chance to shoot a varmint rifle from Christensen Arms in 22-250 on a prairie dog shoot a couple of years ago. In their case the 'barrel' is actually a Shilen barrel...turned down and wrapped.

http://www.christensenarms.com/coc.asp

Although not a good representation of all composite barreled rifles I did get out of it a couple of opinions. I saw absolutely no benefit while shooting prairie dogs. Difficult to tell when hot was too hot. They balance oddly compared to a standard varmint contour barrel rifle. The rifle was as accurate as any rifle we had with us on that particular day. I think you could make a sweet mountain rifle for bg hunting based off a composite barrel and some other lightweight options.
 
I have a .223 built by Christensen Arms...Shilen SS wrapped with their composite material. Purpose of wrapping the barrel was to provide "stiffness" without excessive weight and it does a good job of that. The exterior of the barrel does stay cool which is nice but I've never shot it any faster than a plain barrel.

As I understand it, the ABS barrels actually transfer the heat faster than a plain, unwrapped barrel does and so should make the barrel last longer. I think they are intended for the tactical market where a lot of shots (semi and or full-auto) are fired in a short period of time.

The processes are similar but have different purposes.
 
If the outside of the barrel stays cooler it means the heat is not being conducted to the air. That means that the interior of the barrel is staying hotter which most definitely shortens barrel life.

Their only benefit is weight reduction.

Jack
 


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