Carbon Fiber Barrel X-Caliber V. Preferred Barrel Blanks

[SROK]

I know this has been discussed a bit, I've searched and read quite a few threads both here and other forums, but All the threads seemed a bit older, so I was hoping to check in more recently.

I am wanting to get a new barrel for my 270 Win, and CF seems like the way to go for me (trying to stay as light as possible).

I was planning on going 1:8 twist for a "Fast Twist" 270,

The contenders are X-Caliber and Preferred Barrel Blanks.

X-Caliber is running a killer 20% off deal right now, but for 1:8 only has the option of 6 groove rifling, now I can bump "up" to 1:7 and get 5R, just not sure if that's too fast.


Preferred Barrel Blanks is also running a deal, but it's only 5% on custom barrels. they have 1:8 5R available, and in my personal opinion, I like the CF wrap much better (50-50 Ni especially) not that this necessarily matters, but it should look nice too. The only "issue" here is that they are like 30% more expensive than X-Caliber currently.


Now once the sale passes they'll be about the same cost.

Is anyone running these barrels specifically CF, how do you like them, how do they shoot?

I was going to have Carbon 6 in the running, and people seem to like their barrels, but almost every review is riddled with horror stories of ordering, wait times, and quite a few QC issues.

 

[waspocrew]

I have a Preferred carbon in 300 PRC that shoots well. No experience with the Xcal carbons, but I have a steel barrel from them that shoots well.

Double check me on this, but I believe the Xcal is a carbon sleeve, not wrapped. Not sure if there’s any functional difference.

If I’ve learned anything over time, it’s just to get what you’re wanting off the bat, rather than making a compromise (like twist rate, rifling, etc).

 

[SROK]

I have a Preferred carbon in 300 PRC that shoots well. No experience with the Xcal carbons, but I have a steel barrel from them that shoots well.

Double check me on this, but I believe the Xcal is a carbon sleeve, not wrapped. Not sure if there’s any functional difference.

If I’ve learned anything over time, it’s just to get what you’re wanting off the bat, rather than making a compromise (like twist rate, rifling, etc).

Not sure if they are a sleeve, couldn't find anything on it.

Yeah, I too generally subscribe to the "Buy Once, Cry Once" mantra, but figured if they were just as good or better barrels it may not matter.

Thank you!

 

[Morell6097]

I have two x caliber carbon barrels. One in a 375 ruger and another in a faster twist 300 win mag. They both shoot great. The 375 just hammers. 5 shots in one raged hole. Haven’t had as much time with the 300, but it shoots pretty good. I only shot one load through it but it was more than good enough that that’s what I took to Alaska last fall for moose. Lead times were pretty accurate.

 

[shmtastic]

I have an Xcal 223 carbon barrel, shoots well. I believe they are sleeved with a press fit, I think it says it on their site somewhere, can't remember exactly where I got that info.

 

[Judd]

I've got an X-caliber 22 Creedmoor that's very impressive, I've not messed with a Preferred Barrel.

Being a 3-4 month old thread...what did you end up ordering and does it shoot?

 

[ctafoya]

I'm in the same boat. I'm freshening up my Savage 300WSM and am torn between the two. The more I've been researching the more I am starting to lean to the x caliber carbon 26" 1:9. My current setup uses 168 VLD's and I think I'm going to step up to 175's on this one.

Putting together a bolt action and picking lengths, grooves, contours, recoil lugs (need accustock ones for Greyboe stocks I found) is all new to me and has been a bit overwhelming.