First off..Dressing and packing is what the Guide gets paid for! It's his job!
I'll sit and watch..
Secondly almost all innovations in firearms come from competition!
Company's field teams to test and showcase new ideas...Then sell it to the Military
and then everyone "Has" to have one!
You have every right to be wrong! As you are.
Mike Wilson is a better shot than anyone you mentioned!
Most likely better than any two?
And you still haven't produced anything other than opinion that carbon barrels are better? Post some actual numbers or facts..They shoot no better than steel..Face the facts!
I'll spare the carbon company name, but the company failed twice at making a carbon barrel in their lightest contour and identical length as a factory 6.5x284 Savage Barrel take off (magnum contour). It was an ounce or two heavier on both attempts. A custom fluted stainless barrel would have been lighter and cheaper (arguable not stiffer, but proof is in the target pudding and have not found a significance difference in hunting scenarios). Also, like most backpack hunters and weight weenies (that's me), there's a trade off between weight and durability. That and we usually venture into mountains above treeline where it's really rocky. I don't like carbon barrels being set or dropped or skid on rocks. Shouldn't happen, but we know it always does. Look at any seasoned goat or sheep hunter's barrels and you'll see lots of battle wounds. I feel SS fairs better than resin IMO. For these reasons and as a backpack hunter (not bench rest), I skip the carbon options. I have several semi custom rifles that all shoot sub MOA out on my 700 yd practice range (some half MOA) and weigh less than 7.5 lbs with high power scopes.Look at what pro back country hunters use not guys who bang large steel plates and call it precision