Carbon Barrels

[Dead Eye Dick]

I need to know about problems issues with Carbon wrapped barrels when used in precision rifle matches

Background. I have been having a blast with my Vudoo. I choose an ultra lightweight MPA chassis, a lightweight (Kukri contour) with an all up weight including bipod of 12 pounds one ounce. The rimfire rifle balances decently, and is steady as a rock when shooting. All up weight with bipod is 12 pounds one ounce.

As I now oft complain, my left shoulder has said after 76 years, I’ve had enough. Right shoulder is fine and I can still use my left arm, I’m simply am not as able to work with my 19 pound 6GT’s like I can shoot and handle the .22 Vudoo. I cannot hold the centerfire rifles steady, but have no issues holding the Vudoo steady. (6GT Heavy buttstock, heavy MTU barrel, no serious weight in the center. Vudoo, light barrel, light buttstock, 700 weight action, keeping a large percentage of the weight in center. Center mass wins in most cases).

ref, I have sailed all my life. To keep a sailboat from “hobby horsing” we keep weight out of the ends.

So, as an experiment I would like to rebuild one of my two GT’s as a lightweight (relatively speaking, 12 to 13 pounds all up with scope and bipod) to see if it would emulate the success I am having with the Vudoo.

Final example, (don’t laugh fellas). This past weekend I shot 30% with the GT in the Saturday match. I shot 72.5% with the Vudoo in the Sunday match. Both matches were ‘finals’ for the year and were supposed to be a serious level of difficulty. (Addendum, that would be hitting the target on 30% of shots taken and the same, hitting the target 72.5% of shots taken)

So, to repeat the question, nothing has been spent, nothing is cast in stone, but the Vudoo is working and the GT’s are not working as well. Would a Carbon Fiber barrel work over long strings of shots?

Vudoo as I am shooting it

The two GT’s, the rifle used in the match this past weekend is the Gray rifle in the background

 

[drwood96]

Barrel heat and mirage is biggest different I've seen from my "PRS" setup vs the CF "field" setup. With my Proof 6.5 CM Sendero contour, the mirage comes into play about 15 rounds in a string and heavy at 20. I seen very few matches (PRS, Field, Mil) where minimum round count is that high and only hit it if you're missing really fast.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

I have a bartlein carbon no13 in 6CM. I don't notice any walking or stringing, but it does tend to heat up (and cool down) more rapidly than a full metal barrel. I noticed first that, in the shade with a little breeze, it seems to dump heat pretty quickly between strings; although i only measure with the "can I grab it bare handed" test.

I can't really comment on mirage, because florida. There is almost always mirage.

It's also a lot more expensive than just doing a thinner steel contour. I probably wouldn't do one again, except for the fact they look cool.

 

[Secant]

I only have carbon barrels on hunting rifles, but I will shoot them for 10-shot strings relatively normally. The biggest thing I've noticed is mirage from the carbon wrapped barrel compared to heavy steel barrels - especially when ambient temps are low, and especially from magnum cartridges. I haven't experienced carbon barrels "walking".

Based on cost, I would probably just pick a slimmer contour SS barrel for what you are planning on using it for. Going from an MTU to a medium palma or sendero would save a couple pounds, or drop down further to a bartlein 3B. I had a 3B in 6.5CM that I regularly shot 10-20+ round strings through without issues (other than the barrel was done at about 2k rounds).

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

In Louisiana as well, I’ve seen all but unshootable mirage on a sunny winter day. Louisiana and Florida, the mirage “kings”. (Which is where I spend 99% of my time shooting).

 

[TheJeanyus]

I have shot some 10 round strings with my Proof 6.5 Creedmoor carbon barrel. I haven't noticed it throwing "fliers" as it got hot, but the mirage is definitely noticeable.

 

[wind gypsy]

3rd just getting a lighter steel barrel for performance and cost reasons.