Short Carbon Fiber Barrels

[Milspec Longhorn]

Looking at 16"-16.5" Carbon Fiber Barrel for Creedmoor (6 or 6.5). Had Proof CF before - 22"-24" length. Looking at Bartlein vs Proof.
Seems Bartlein offers the 400 Mod BB and the Gain Twist Option as well as ability to specify profile. Not sure those are strong advantages over Proof? Seems Proof has seen some military use. Any experience in the real world of how they perform? Any pros/cons? Thank you.

 

[BradleyH]

I have not ran the Bartlein CF barrels, I’ve ran their steel though.

I have and do run, Proof CF and Proof Steel.

I am a recreational shooter at best, so keep that in mind. Others may be more qualified.

They are all fantastic barrels. The analysis you’re trying to do will end up causing paralysis by analysis.

Get a barrel you like and roll with it. Unless you’re putting thousands of rounds down range a year, or shooting in some unique use case, you won’t tell a difference. Maybe a few percentage points here or there but it’s going to be hard to tell behind the gun.

You can slice and dice this 100 different ways but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what gear you run. If your skills are not up to par a gain twist barrel or 400 MB barrel is not going to seal the deal for you.

And, no matter what you pick, it will be lacking somewhere. There will always be a void. Sometimes it will do x better but lack in y. Vice versa.

Edit:

To the short barrel point, I would get whatever one you want or is in stock and go. I personally don’t think the brand of a barrel from Bartlein or Proof is going to make a difference. They will both be excellent.

 

[Quant]

I could be wrong, but I think the shortest Bartlein CF barrels are 20”. Not sure about Proof. I have both brands and no complaints about either…all have been shooters. The Proofs are noticeable lighter than the Bartleins for similar contours because they use more carbon wrap, if weight is a factor.

You can buy chambered prefit barrels from Proof and maybe save a little money, but I have always just bought blanks and had my local GS do the work.

 

[Infidel4life11]

I had a proof 6.5cm that I built for a friend. Bought a Bergara SA and the barrel blank both super cheap and sent them off to my gunsmith, who did a phenomenal job btw. Got the BA in my hands and was stupid impressed (I love 16.5 bolt gun so I’m bias)

I bring all this up because my gunsmith was super impressed with the BA. They threw it in a stock and test fired a 5rd group at 1/2 MOA and just went on about how much they loved the build.

For a shorter build I’d say Proof or X-caliber is a no brainer for the blank

 

[cooper_257]

I have a 16.5" Patriot valley arms Osprey CF prefit barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor and it is awesome. It is really easy to load for and really accurate. Patriot valley arms and proof will be liter than the Bartlein CF barrels. I have ran lots of Bartlein barrels in stainless steel LH gain twist and they are great barrels but I have never had one in carbon fiber because the weight savings isn't that great.

 

[NiteQwill]

Either will work. I favor Bartlein over Proof since I shoot competition. But at the end of the day, both will get you on target.

Bartlein shortest is 20" iirc.

This is a 20" Bartlein

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

Thanks. I heard Bartlein are heavier because the actual stainless barrel part is larger than what Proof uses. What twist is best in short barrel 6.5?

 

[R_A_W]

Seems Proof has seen some military use.

this means nothing

What twist is best in short barrel 6.5?

What length bullets do you intend to shoot

 

[NiteQwill]

Thanks. I heard Bartlein are heavier because the actual stainless barrel part is larger than what Proof uses. What twist is best in short barrel 6.5?

Depends on your bullet choice. I'm use 7.5 tw with 130 OTMs. Stability is fine.

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

this means nothing

What length bullets do you intend to shoot

147gr ELDM

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

Depends on your bullet choice. I'm use 7.5 tw with 130 OTMs. Stability is fine.

What would impact stability?

 

[R_A_W]

I’d run 7.5t, but 8t should work fine as well

e: I’m assuming you’ll be shooting in TX, I’d personally go 8t for considerably lower air densities. Even then, IMO you’re splitting hairs

 

[NiteQwill]

What would impact stability?

Bullet, twist rate, and speed

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

Not a reloader so plan to use Black Hills 147gr ELDM-they list 2700 fps
What twist would be best for that?

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

I’d run 7.5t, but 8t should work fine as well

e: I’m assuming you’ll be shooting in TX, I’d personally go 8t for considerably lower air densities. Even then, IMO you’re splitting hairs

Yes. Central TX. What would 7.5 offer over 8?

 

[BradleyH]

Not a reloader so plan to use Black Hills 147gr ELDM-they list 2700 fps
What twist would be best for that?

You probably won’t get what the box lists, especially if you get 16in. More over there can be variation from lot to lot.

If you get 2600 with an 8 twist according to AB Quantum your entering stability issues with 147 eldm.

With a 7.5 twist you would be over the desired 1.5 according to AB.

 

[NiteQwill]

Not a reloader so plan to use Black Hills 147gr ELDM-they list 2700 fps
What twist would be best for that?

I would choose something different for a 16" barrel. You won't be stable.

130, 120 gr is a better choice.

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

OK. Thx. I hear more recommendations to go .308 for 16 barrel for some reason?

 

[NiteQwill]

Meh... I stopped shooting and owning any 308 guns in 2015. 6.5 is fine.

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

Thanks. Will stick with 6.5

 

[powdahound76]

I have a Proof CF 6,5 creed at 16.5” length.
Bought a blank on a great deal on here and had my smith chamber and thread.

Just breaking in and its shooting very well.

Plan is to run 123 Absolute Hammers and see what speed I come up with.

Prior 16.5” was 2840 fps with a 123 Scenar and h4350 below Hodgdon book max.
Accurate and single digit SDs.

This CF barrel will be for suppressed hunting only.

Loads of fun. Easy to shoot.
Talk to Unk Munitions or Copper Creek for light bullet ammo if you cant find any commercially.
Maybe try the Berger factory 130 OTM?

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

Thanks. I heard the Bergers were good. Will check them out

 

[TheNarrator]

I've had good luck with BSF barrels. Just ordered another 300 winmag and a 6mm creed.

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

I've had good luck with BSF barrels. Just ordered another 300 winmag and a 6mm creed.

Who do you have chamber them and what action are you using?

 

[TheNarrator]

Who do you have chamber them and what action are you using?

I buy the prefit bolt barrels and of course the gamut of AR barrels. If I was going the non-prefit route, the world is your oyster on capable machinists.

 

[Milspec Longhorn]

OK. Thanks much

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Bartlein CFW goes shorter than 20”, I have 6.5 and 7mm barrels at 19” for a 18” finish length, but they go down to 17” for 16” finish length:

https://shop.otmtactical.com/bartlein-65-carbon-fiber-blanks-remington-varmint.html