Bartlein barrel help

[Heimdall2]

I am building a 6.5PRC and have a Bartlein CF #13, 22” on order with GA precision. The rifle will be a mountain hunting/NRL hunter rifle for me. I will use a brake and suppressor depending on the situation.
The build:
-HNT26
-Lone Peak Fuzion (alpine cut)
-Trigger Tech Diamond
-Nightforce NX8 2.5x20
-TBAC Ultra 7

I’m starting to have second thoughts about the #13 and 22” length. Thinking the extra weight of a #14 and 24” might be preferred for NRL Hunter matches, and less prone to POI shifts after 3-5 shot strings. GA Precision also informed me the Bartlein CF barrels don’t have the same accuracy guarantee is a Bartein steel barrel.

Anyone have thoughts, experiences, advice? Anyone recommend a Bartein steel over the CF for accuracy? If so, 3B? 4? Other??

Thanks in advance, it’s my first full custom build.

 

[Theringworm]

I have the exact same build: #13 22”barrel, trigger tech diamond, TBAC ultra 7, Lone Peak fusion Ti action but in a McMillain Game scout stock. The question to you is, what’s the intended purpose of the rifle? You said Hunter/NRL matches but I would personally rather have a different gun for each discipline but I admittedly don’t know how NRL Hunter matches work. Mine is purely hunting, so I went CF. I shoot 5 shot groups without any stringing. Haven’t gone beyond a 5 shot group without letting it cool. 22” gets me right at 3,000 fps with the Berger 140, and -2650 fps with the Berger 156s. Barrel hasn’t sped up yet imo.

I’ve never done an NRL hunter match, but I would think steel is your go to for any competitive match we’re multiple strings of shots are fired. It does have an advantage over Cf.

 

[Marble]

My concern would be more surrounding some velocity loss with 2" shorter barrel. Sometimes it doesn't matter much at all. But sometimes it can be a huge swing in speed sirens on the load. Velocity isn't everything. But I sure like to have as much as possible. Seems like 24" is a very popular length for the 6.5 PRC. Have two currently, with a 3rd on order.

One of them is a CF barrel. We only shoot 5 suits or so at a time. Haven't noticed any stringing.

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[Schism]

I have a very similar rifle as what you are wanting to build. 6.5prc with a 22" Bartelin CF barrel on a Defiance AnTi action. Accuracy is great from my rifle and is on par with the steel Bartlein, Shilen and Lilja barrels I have on other rifles.

I feel it balances well in the Manners EH1 stock. If I had a 20" tube I'm sure I'd be happy with that also.

If you are wanting to do competitions, I'd probably go with an all steel barrel. What I've noticed is how the CF barrels heat up compared to the all steel barrels. Barrel mirage is noticeable in fewer shots through my CF barrels than it is with an all steel barrel. Perhaps my observation has more to do with my CF barrels being chambered in PRC cartridges, perhaps it is the barrel construction? I'd be curious to hear other opinions.

If I thought I would need to take 5-10 shots in a short period of time, I'd likely not have a CF barrel. For hunting, I enjoy the accuracy and light weight th CF barrels provide.