steel vs carbon

sheep · #1 02-06-2020, 09:09 AM

Whats everyones opinion? From what I see a carbon barrel is not any lighter than a steel barrel. Actually from what I am seeing you should be able to make a steel barrel lighter, and I also assume you will end up with a slightly larger stock to accommodate the barrel channel resulting in a couple extra oz as well.

bsmitty27 · #2 02-06-2020, 09:40 AM

I haven't researched them. So this is a basic idea I have knowing a little about carbon fiber and steel.
In my opinion Carbon fibre seems like a gimmick. The heat retention of the steel under the carbon seems like it would be counter productive and create more issues. And besides I'm no where cool enough to carry around a rifle with a carbon barrel 8-)
I'm sure someone who knows what they are talking about will chime in soon!
Brad

Curly Bill · #3 02-06-2020, 10:03 AM

In my experience it’s the rigidity is the advantage. Your carbon barrel acts a lot like a heavy contoured barrel with way less “whip” then a similar weight steel barrel. Especially when you get into the magnum calibers.

Kurt505 · #4 02-06-2020, 10:32 AM

Carbon barrels, as stated above will give you the rigidity of a heavy contour barrel at a fraction of the weight, it’s not a gimmick, it’s physics. Grab a Christensen Ridgeline and a Remington sendero and let me know if you notice the 5 pound difference. Also the stock on the Christensen is narrower than most factory rifles, just the barrel channel is bigger. As far as heat dispersion goes, I’m not sure how it effects the inner steel core but what I do know is you get a lot less mirage from a carbon barrel. Do a little research on Proof barrels, listen to what the guys who actually own them have to say about their accuracy and durability. Maybe look up “proof barrel torture test” on YouTube. I’m thinking if Gunweks uses Proof carbon barrels on their highest end rifles that it’s more than just a gimmick.

sheep · #5 02-06-2020, 10:41 AM

Ok so your belief is a lilja #2 @ 45oz is whippier (harder to shoot accurately) than a Proof light sendero @ 46oz?

But if overall weight is what a person is after I suppose the lilja #1 @ 40oz is the way to go.

Probably makes sense, I have never shot a carbon barrel

I've seen lots of comments before on how light carbon barrels are but when I got looking into it I believe this to be untrue.

Curly Bill · #6 02-06-2020, 11:23 AM

Yes if you take those 2 beside each other and fire 3 shots in concession out of each. Your steel barrel hits are going to walk a bit as it heats up, your carbon barrel will hold more true.

Can you call that more accurate? I don’t know. If you fired 3 shots out of each with barrel cool time in between each shot, you would probably have some nice groups from both. I would call it consistency.

Kurt505 · #7 02-06-2020, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheep

Ok so your belief is a lilja #2 @ 45oz is whippier (harder to shoot accurately) than a Proof light sendero @ 46oz?

But if overall weight is what a person is after I suppose the lilja #1 @ 40oz is the way to go.

Probably makes sense, I have never shot a carbon barrel

I've seen lots of comments before on how light carbon barrels are but when I got looking into it I believe this to be untrue.

You make your own decision on what’s whippier, what heats up faster or slower, what barrel distorts quicker, I’m just pointing a few things out. You seem to have your heart set on a lilja barrel, get one of those instead. After being down this road my fair share of times and owning many ultra lite rifles in #1 and #2 contours, I know which route I’d take, but it might not be the same route as others would.

sheep · #8 02-06-2020, 11:44 AM

Ya, no, not what I was getting at. I'm looking for peoples opinions that have had both, like yours. I'm not doing either to tell you the truth. I just have seen a few comments "get a carbon barrel to lighten it up" and started looking into it for myself, thats all.

I honestly haven't had enough custom type guns to have an opinion.

It makes sense it would show less mirage, that would be good, I've been shooting more this winter than normal and with the cold outdoor temps it really gets hard to see at times.

Thanks

elkhunter11 · #9 02-06-2020, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curly Bill

Yes if you take those 2 beside each other and fire 3 shots in concession out of each. Your steel barrel hits are going to walk a bit as it heats up, your carbon barrel will hold more true.

Can you call that more accurate? I don’t know. If you fired 3 shots out of each with barrel cool time in between each shot, you would probably have some nice groups from both. I would call it consistency.

If you have bedding issues or there are stresses in the barrel, yes, the poi will likely walk with a lightweight steel barrel, yet both of my model 7s shot sub 3/4moa for three shots with no cooling time between shots. A friend's Finnlight that I developedoads for, was about the same .

rem338win · #10 02-12-2020, 10:48 PM

Ok, for the record I've never owned a carbon wrap.

That said I have owned some light barrels and can note a few things. One, outside temps on the barrel do effect POI. One example is a light #1 I had on a 300 WSM. Load was not temp sensitive given it was H4831 and the chrony was consistent.

Load development was in spring with temps around 15c and it shot well with the 168gr TSXs. Just under MOA which was great for the feather weight barrel IMO. Finished sighting in and had it 2" high and center.

Summer comes and took it to the hills to shoot some dope.

200yds and the first three are on the level, but 6" left. Group was over 2" but fine.

Shot it at 100 again and it's 2" left. Odd but I adjust and the day shoots well.
It was 35c in the sun to shot on the block we were at.

October came and went to confirm before hunting on the same block.

-10c and light snow falling but with the wind from behind us it feels like - 20. 300yds to start and very odd. 10" low and 8" left.

100yds shows a very similar group to the laod development. Bang on at 100 and 3" left.

My. 280AI with fluted #3 was shot the same days and there was no notable shift in POI. Same scopes. Both rifles bedded and well.

This is something thin walled barrels have done to me before.

If I have a choice between a #2. 308 and a carbon wrapped. 308 of the same weight, take the wrapped. Heavier walls equal stiffness and that does add consistency in more than one area.