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Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > Carbon Fibre Barrels

Carbon Fibre Barrels

01 Apr 2020
@ 02:35 am (GMT)

Jack Dunross

What's everyone's thoughts on carbon fibre barrels? I notice that Nathan doesn't mention them in his books. They seem like they would be the best of both worlds for being light to carry while also stiff and still being able to do long strings of shots. Cleavers have IBI carbon barrels for about $800, that look the goods. Has anyone had experience with these?

Cheers!
Jack

Replies

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01 Apr 2020
@ 08:54 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: Carbon Fibre Barrels
Hi Jack, will try to simplify this. Lets say that you have a lightweight Tikka rifle that gets very hot after 3 shots. So what do you do after 3 shots? You let it sit with the bolt open to let the air cool it down. If per chance you are at a rifle range that offers some form of shade, you will want to sit the rifle in the shade, again with the bolt open.

Why do you let the rifle cool? Why not just keep shooting?

Accuracy is merely one concern. if you keep on shooting, the throat will suffer from severe erosion.

Now lets say that I was stood beside you and had a sheet of fiber glass or carbon fiber in my hand. If I was to suggest to you that you should wrap one of these sheets around your Tikka and that you should keep on shooting rather than wait for it to cool, I can guess what your answer would be. What if I was to tell you that by epoxying the sheet in place, you can just keep on shooting. Would you believe me now?

There are certain rules to physics that cannot be broken. If you want to employ carbon fiber, you need to take less shots in order to allow the heat to slowly dissipate, not more, regardless of any sales pitches. I have seen one advert that suggests that "you can put your hands on our carbon fiber barrels after 20 shots and still not feel any heat" . Such a statement should raise your alarm bells.

Also note that as the weight of the rifle goes down, recoil goes up. Hence why a lot of these wonder wrap barrels have muzzle brakes fitted to them.

So you have to ask yourself, am I removing problems or am I actually adding them.

There is a place for carbon fiber, but you need to know the pros and cons. Please be aware that most manufacturers are either misguiding customers or downright lying to them with current claims. I suggest that you do not support any manufacturer who does not explain both the positives and negatives of this. I doubt however that you will find such a manufacturer at this time.

Hope that helps a bit.
01 Apr 2020
@ 04:05 pm (GMT)

Chris Murphy

Re: Carbon Fibre Barrels
There isn’t an epoxy resin out there that will handle the heat caused but a bullet discharge and maintain its structural integrity so longevity is an issue also there has been a stiffness test done and the carbon wrapped barrels are same stiffness as a No 2 contour steel barrel and probably not much different in weight so apart from the increased hand to dick ratio what’s the point??
01 Apr 2020
@ 04:53 pm (GMT)

Chris Murphy

Re: Carbon Fibre Barrels
Sorry I stand corrected there are high temperature resin systems out there (none in NZ) that will withstand 600c. Does anyone have any data to the bore temp after a string of shots my estimates after say 10 shots in a sizeable cartridge temp would be close to 1000 any data would be much appreciated
01 Apr 2020
@ 07:39 pm (GMT)

Jack Dunross

Re: Carbon Fibre Barrels
Thanks Nathan and Chris, it does help immensely! I tend to view this forum and your books Nathan, as an oasis when wading through all the bullshit on the internet about shooting. It's always refreshing to come here.

Steel will start to cherry at like 460 degrees, so I'd be surprised if a bolt action barrel gets up to 1000. Even so, I get your point. I had wondered at the longevity of the carbon barrels. Even for taking knocks in the woods etc.

So from what you guys have said, I would conclude that the only real benefit of a carbon barrel, would be to stop the barrel whip on a long skinny barrel, but still keep the weight down. Which as you've said Nathan, is not really ideal for long range shooting anyway, unless using a muzzle break, which again has its trade offs and is not really ideal.

Cheers for your help boys!!

01 Apr 2020
@ 11:55 pm (GMT)

Jack Dunross

Re: Carbon Fibre Barrels
Actually, just one more question Nathan, while we have the topic open. With regards to carbon barrels vs standard sporter or mountain profile barrels. Would the extra mass of the carbon barrel, play any part in reducing recoil of rifle?

In your book on long range hunting rifles, you said that with regards to reducing weight in the stock if need be; To reduce the weight, but not the mass. Is that purely just because a chunky stock is easier to grip and handle and hold steady and sits on a pack well, or is there some physics going on, where the mass or I should say size actually reduces the felt recoil? And if so, would that apply to barrels too?

I'm probably overthinking this haha

Cheers!
Jack
02 Apr 2020
@ 07:50 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: Carbon Fibre Barrels
Hi Jack, the mass I often refer to is with regards to ergonomic stock proportions. From memory, I went over this in my .308 Hack rifle video on youtube.
02 Apr 2020
@ 06:07 pm (GMT)

Jack Dunross

Re: Carbon Fibre Barrels
Thanks Nathan, I thought that might be the case. Your 308 hack video is great too by the way!

Cheers!
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