30 nosler build carbon or steel

[MagnumManiac]

I've been using blanks that finish at 29.5" or 30" on my last 6 barrels, they are 1.250" at the chamber and finish at .950" at the muzzle.
No fluting, profiled before chambering and the chambers are rough reamed with a straight tapered reamer before the chamber reamers are used, rougher and finisher. I want my reamers cutting minimum material so they don't dull too quickly.
All this helps with less stress in your barrel.

Cheers.

 

[Trm82]

Can't beat a proof research , I currently have two 30 noslers both proof that shoot incredible
Ones a sendero and one is a sendero lite.
I'd go with sendero lite if I was building another.
Ones a rem 700 with a manners and the Sendero proof with a nightforce nxs 3-15 is just under 10.5 lbs and the 2nd 30 nosler is a stiller action , McMillan and sendero lite with nightforce nxs 3-15 and it weighs 9.5 lbs. both rifles are 26" bbl

 

[volunteer06]

Some good info and weights in here. Seems majority are leaning carbon. I figured it would be a 50/50 split. Carbon does seem to be gaining more and more popularity. I like the looks of fluted barrels but I also like the thick carbon. It seems the accuracy is a wash. Hmm I may have to flip a coin

 

[Tidus56]

I ordered a 24 inch carbon barrel for a Defiance anti it's chambered in 30 Nosler with .225 free bore. I wish it was 20 inch barrel now but can't chop down a carbon. I would say a Carbon would be my pick. One of these days I will put that barrel on lol.

 

[Laguna Freak]

I like the 26" Bartlein #4 CF 1:8.5 twist 5R on my 300 WSM LA.

 

[EFouraker]

I use alot of proof carbon barrels in my shop. It's extremely rare that a rifle won't shoot 1/2 moa or better if the rest of the rifle built correctly.

 

[Tommy T]

Alright folks I've been slowly gathering parts for a 30 nosler build and can't decide on barrel. I'm wanting to go 24" suppressor may be used on it some but not full time. I want the barrel to be 5/8-24 thread and weigh a max of 3.5lb preferably just under but close. It's a hunting rifle finish goal is 10lb or just shy of it scoped no suppressor. So the grand question. Fluted stainless or carbon wrapped? I know it has been debated over and over. I have one carbon barrel and I'm not sold either way. I just want to know what the general consensus is and how the vote goes for this setup from everyone here. I'd also like some first hand knowledge on what contour fluted steel will get me there.

I would go with a carbon from hells canyon or a Brux steel #5 I have used both of them and they work and shot great it all boils down to what you like ,

 

[Huntaddict]

I am in - been running PROOF barrels since 2010. I am intimately familiar with them and other carbon barrels. PROOF makes a great product these days and so does Bart - if you are going to run a suppressed rifle with a longer bbl, I recommend going with the Bart - it is a little heavier contour to contour however the steel sleeve on the inside of the bart is a bit thicker - now we can argue all day if that matters since carbon is so stiff, however IME the bart has less POI shift under heat and with a can.

I would absolutely stay away from carbon barrels that are wrapped like aluminum foil, meaning the entire sheet of carbon is wrapped as one sheet down the entire length of the barrel. Heat is insulated within the barrel in this method and you arent really doing yourself any good spending the $ on carbon.

This is my 30N - first one had a PROOF 8.44 twist and it ran great. My second one and I changed from a PROOF to a Bart 9 twist on this build and am very happy with it

 

[entoptics]

Some reference weights for your perusal, steel are "heavy sporter" contours

24" Shilen Savage Prefit ~0.680" at muzzle = 52.0 oz
24" Snowy Mt (Proof?) Sendero light, ~0.950" at muzzle = 43.7 oz

26" X-caliber Savage prefit. Fluted ~0.680" at muzzle = 51.2 oz
26" X-caliber Carbon Fiber lite. ~0.930" at muzzle = 46.8 oz

I did a fair amount of research, and came up with about 10% weight savings for CF vs fluted steel when you are restricted in contour by requiring an adequate shoulder on the muzzle tenon (i.e. ~0.650") for a 5/8-24 brake or suppressor. Obviously that will shift up or down a bit with various different brands of contour, but it's pretty close.

 

[Huntaddict]

Some reference weights for your perusal, steel are "heavy sporter" contours

24" Shilen Savage Prefit ~0.680" at muzzle = 52.0 oz
24" Snowy Mt (Proof?) Sendero light, ~0.950" at muzzle = 43.7 oz

26" X-caliber Savage prefit. Fluted ~0.680" at muzzle = 51.2 oz
26" X-caliber Carbon Fiber lite. ~0.930" at muzzle = 46.8 oz

I did a fair amount of research, and came up with about 10% weight savings for CF vs fluted steel when you are restricted in contour by requiring an adequate shoulder on the muzzle tenon (i.e. ~0.650") for a 5/8-24 brake or suppressor. Obviously that will shift up or down a bit with various different brands of contour, but it's pretty close.

this all seems consistent. good data

the biggest single rationale for CF barrels is less POI shift under varied environmental conditions that affect steel barrels. CF is fairly immune to it and is less affected by heat in magnum calibers and huge outside temp swings.