Carbon Vs Steel

[TradLife406]

I used the search and couldn't really find anything on this though I'm sure it's been discussed 100x.

Currently have a 24" Carbon 6 in 6.5 PRC. I'm wanting to get a new pipe before the season. Probably in 6mm Ryan Avery.

Wondering if there's really any weight savings or dispersion difference in a sendaro/sendaro light carbon vs a heavier fluted sporter steel barrel. Saying 18-20 length.

I understand the claimed benefits in carbon. But not sure it's worth the extra $500 or so. Not exactly going out and shooting 10 shot strings without letting the barrel cool after three shots. Especially on a "magnum" cartridge.

Thanks fam

 

[Svivian]

Its not worth it. Carbon is more for looks than anything else, there really isnt much weight savings when you get down to it.

 

[TradLife406]

Its not worth it. Carbon is more for looks than anything else, there really isnt much weight savings when you get down to it.

Perfect


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Svivian]

Perfect


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Heres some reading for you

Thread 'Thin Fluted Barrels vs Carbon Barrels on factory rifles?'

Jan 19, 2023

I've been doing a lot of reading, on here and from other sources and I'm still a little stuck. I will be purchasing a lightweight deer hunting rifle in 6.5cm or equivalent and I'd like the rifle to stay under $1,500 (not including optic). This budget gives me quite a few options. Esthetics and other nuances aside, I'm stuck on what type of barrel to go with... What are the pro's and cons for a factory rifle paired with a thin fluted barrel vs. a carbon wrapped barrel?

I'm not looking for caliber critiques, just advice on barrel types for hunting and the occasional range day to get good...

• CjMelendrez
• Replies: 63
• Forum: Firearms

• 

Thread 'Carbon Fiber Barrel Comparison'

May 6, 2022

I'm thinking about putting a CF barrel on a Tikka or Defiance action for a lightweight hunting rifle, and I'm wondering if anybody has real experience or knowledge on the advantages of the various CF barrel manufacturers. Ignoring any marketing hype, pre-fit options, cost, and purely aesthetic differences.

Proof, BSF, Christensen, and Carbon Six are the ones I've seen but I'm sure there's others.

What is actually different between how the barrels are made? Do they use different materials? Is one process more accurate than the others? Are machining tolerances different?

I like the way...

• gtriple
• Replies: 59
• Forum: Firearms

Post in thread 'Barrel questions for new build'

Mar 9, 2023

24"+ Brake isn't obnoxious to me and I think it's a pretty good length for non-suppressed magnum rifle. I wouldn't pay $200 to go 22" for sure. Velocity is nice if you're stuck with monos too.

I don't buy that a carbon is going to be any stiffer or less likely to string shots than steel barrel of the same weight. The worst barrel i've owned in regards to opening up with strings is a custom carbon barrel. Only benefit is more meat on the muzzle for bigger threads at a given weight point.
Other options would be:
1. getting a custom steel contour that bells at the end for threads (my...

• wind gypsy

• 

 

[5811]

The company line around here is, "there's nothing better than a good steel sporter for a hunting rifle" which I get because they are considerably lighter and cheaper.

But there is just something about a properly done CFW barrel. I have two Proof's and I really like shooting them. Harmonics or heat or rigidity, or some combination, they just shoot really nice and are forgiving on loading.

If you think you'll shoot the barrel out in a year or two or you are counting ounces, it's probably not worth the extra $. If you practice with other rifles and it might last you 5 years or longer, I'd consider CFW.

 

[Bowfinn]

This is the only video I’ve seen that has actually compared stiffness of steel vs carbon.

If you don’t feel like watching the video, basically the lightest barrel (fluted steel) they tested was stiffer than both of the heavier carbon barrels.

 

[ALF]

If you're counting ounces & not dollars, at twice the money CF is the way to go.

I wouldn't do one on a potential high round count barrel, unless money is no object.

CF does have the advantage of the larger muzzle diameter for threading.

 

[diverc18]

As a carbon barrel owner, get a steel barrel. I only went carbon cause I think it looks cool.

 

[Fire_9]

.

CF does have the advantage of the larger muzzle diameter for threading.

Which is not an issue anymore since you can have the barrel contoured to bell out at the end to accommodate 5/8 threads

 

[ALF]

Which is not an issue anymore since you can have the barrel contoured to bell out at the end to accommodate 5/8 threads

Or have an ugly ass adapter on the end of a sporter barrel.....

 

[TradLife406]

Ok watched the video.

So what contour steel barrel are you guys using for your hunting rigs?
Looking at Lijia at the moment. There's not much weight difference between their 3 and their 4. Are these basically a sporter and magnum?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IrkedCitizen]

FPM Gunworks out of Texas did an 18" preferred barrel blanks .750 taperless contour chambered 22arc with 5/8 threads weighing 3lbs 2.9oz and after his spiral honeycomb fluting it weighed 2lbs 11.2oz. 7.7oz or nearly a half pound removed.

Whether that weight savings is worth the price is another question $600. Looks cool AF. I'll see if i can get a picture of it after the cerakote

 

[ALF]

I pulled this 24" Remington Varmint barrel, and sent it off to be fluted, and requested going for max weight loss for 6 straight flutes, which a .350" wide cutter, and .120" deep cut was offered.

Weight prior to fluting was 4 pounds, 6.4 ounces.

Weight after fluting was 3 pounds, 6.2 ounces.

 

[TradLife406]

FPM Gunworks out of Texas did an 18" preferred barrel blanks .750 taperless contour chambered 22arc with 5/8 threads weighing 3lbs 2.9oz and after his spiral honeycomb fluting it weighed 2lbs 11.2oz. 7.7oz or nearly a half pound removed.

Whether that weight savings is worth the price is another question $600. Looks cool AF. I'll see if i can get a picture of it after the cerakote

View attachment 881040
View attachment 881039

Was that 600 plus the barrel blank? That's not too bad when it's about $400 to get it chambered and threaded on both ends.

RedHawk has a Lajia 6mm #4 1-7.5 blank for $450 im thinking about.

Going to Unknown next weekend so I'll see what they can do for me before I just buy something.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cactus kid]

I love my proof barrels.

Do they perform better than steel? no

Is it lighter? no, a thin profiled steel better will be lighter.

But damn they look cool. I like thicker profiled better and the damascus look to it.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Was that 600 plus the barrel blank? That's not too bad when it's about $400 to get it chambered and threaded on both ends.

RedHawk has a Lajia 6mm #4 1-7.5 blank for $450 im thinking about.

Going to Unknown next weekend so I'll see what they can do for me before I just buy something.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

$600 for the spiral honeycomb fluting.

Patriot Valley Arms has their own barrels called Osprey Barrel Works. They have many contours to choose from. He offers a variant of the .750 taperless. These are the barrels I have been using lately. Even has a 6um40 reamer if you go the prefit route

OBW - 6mm 1:7.5tw All Contours

[email protected]

patriotvalleyarms.com

Osprey 6mm Prefit Barrels - All Actions

Precision rifle prefit barrels for all actions, custom ordered and ready to install. No machining or gunsmithing required. Match winning Osprey barrels by Patriot Valley Arms; we Engineer Repeatability. 100% Made in USA

patriotvalleyarms.com

 

[Bowfinn]

My 6cm 16” PBB lite hybrid weighs just over 2 lbs

 

[TradLife406]

$600 for the spiral honeycomb fluting.

Patriot Valley Arms has their own barrels called Osprey Barrel Works. They have many contours to choose from. He offers a variant of the .750 taperless. These are the barrels I have been using lately. Even has a 6um40 reamer if you go the prefit route

OBW - 6mm 1:7.5tw All Contours

[email protected]

patriotvalleyarms.com

Osprey 6mm Prefit Barrels - All Actions

Precision rifle prefit barrels for all actions, custom ordered and ready to install. No machining or gunsmithing required. Match winning Osprey barrels by Patriot Valley Arms; we Engineer Repeatability. 100% Made in USA

patriotvalleyarms.com

Oh that could be the easy button. I'll talk to UM about a pipe but their site says 12 weeks. That's no good.

I've got that #4 Lijia in my cart at RedHawk. I've got one of those coupon finder apps and it dropped the price to $400. Did the math on the weight, it'd be about 2.5lb once I get six inches cut off down to 20".


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fire_9]

Or have an ugly ass adapter on the end of a sporter barrel.....

I guess I don’t find them offensive and wouldn’t hesitate to use one.

I would probably go with a 2 or 3 but current have an unfluted #4 and it’s not bad to carry

 

[wind gypsy]

For 18-20” hunting barrels I really like the benchmark #4 contour.

Pbb lite hybrid, pva 680 and 750 taperless are other good options. Most traditional bartlein, krieger, etc sporter contours are too thick on the ass end imo for lightweight hunting rifles.