Barrel - Carbon vs. Fluted vs. ?

[In_Him]

I've always wondered where the line is there, concerning rigidity. So I keep buying fat heavy blanks with both materials.
Don't know where to draw the line but I have a fluted 3b that's fantastic. Smallest SS I have and it's 26"

Yeah, I don't think I'm looking at doing a super thin profile with flutes. I was thinking more mid-weight. So at Carbon6, a 338 has to be a magnum or bull. I'm unfamiliar with other barrel makers and their profiles other than a sendero and med Palma. But something a tad thinner than the magnum and fluted, would there be a weight savings over the Carbon6 magnum (0.900" at the muzzle)?

 

[Roughrice]

The Bartlein #2b begins like a magnum profile but tapers to .630 at the muzzle... Mine did anyway.
The Bartlein #3 is the next slightly heavier profile throughout.
Phil Rizzo's Bartlein 3b that he spoke of is again the next step up and begins to get heavier if your looking for a lightweight build.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

@ In Him,.. Have your Gun Smith,..
Copy, the Profile / contour of, a Tikka, T-3, ( NOT, the T-3 X, Lite ) but, the 7mm Rem. Mag or .270 WSM @ 24 Inches and, NO freakin', Flutes !!!
Those Factory Tikka Rifles, weigh about, 6.5 Pounds, sans Scope and 7 3/4 Pounds with, a GOOD Scope,. Except, the Heavy, NF's !
Start with, a good,.. Brux, Bartlein, Krieger, Rock River or, Benchmark, Barrel and you should end up with, an Accurate, 1/2 to 3/4 MOA Rifle with, PROPER, "Tuned" Handloads !
And,.. a TOTAL Rifle Weight of, SUB,.. 8 Pounds !
I do, a 7MM RSAUM or, 7 PRC for, a NICE,.. all around,.. Elk "Thumper" !
CF Barrels, Seem a bit,.. "Hit and Miss",.. on WARM Barrel,.. Accuracy.

 

[WapitiBob]

just weighed them

Bartlein 26" blank, 7mm, #3; 3# 13.5oz

Bartlein 26" blank, 7mm Carbon Sendero; 3# 8.9oz

 

[adam32+P]

just weighed them

Bartlein 26" blank, 7mm, #3; 3# 13.5oz

Bartlein 26" blank, 7mm Carbon Sendero; 3# 8.9oz

That Bartlein #3 is more like a #4 or #5 from other manufacturers too...a true #3 or #2 will always be lighter than a carbon, especially if fluted. You can always flute a carbon barrel too.

 

[Roughrice]

That Bartlein #3 is more like a #4 or #5 from other manufacturers too...a true #3 or #2 will always be lighter than a carbon, especially if fluted. You can always flute a carbon barrel too.

Yup…
That's why I tried a Bart 2b and fluted it for a lightweight build.

 

[Mark37082]

The ongoing debate over carbon vs steel barrels…. I went through a mid weight build not too long ago. By mid weight I was wanting a 8.5 lb rifle ready to hunt. To me that is the sweet spot. Your preference may be different. I have some pencil barrel with flutes on some factory rifles that are in this weight range. However, I wanted a more substantial barrel on my build without the weight. Carbon is really the only solution when wanting a Sendero contour without the heft. Good luck with your build.

 

[akmtnhnt]

If you need a pencil barrel to get to 8.5lbs, the rest of your build is quite porky. A factory tikka will do that.

I have a pierce action with a Douglas featherweight barrel and a fiberglass stock that comes in at 3lbs 15oz before glass. Most carbon barrels are right about the same weight as my entire rifle.

 

[In_Him]

If you need a pencil barrel to get to 8.5lbs, the rest of your build is quite porky. A factory tikka will do that.

I have a pierce action with a Douglas featherweight barrel and a fiberglass stock that comes in at 3lbs 15oz before glass. Most carbon barrels are right about the same weight as my entire rifle.

What caliber is that feather?

 

[ARlife4me]

I have a 30" cf barrel and a 32" ss barrel. The cf barrel is only 12oz lighter. Not enough difference for me to buy another cf.

 

[akmtnhnt]

What caliber is that feather?

It's a 27.

 

[In_Him]

I have a 30" cf barrel and a 32" ss barrel. The cf barrel is only 12oz lighter. Not enough difference for me to buy another cf.

Is it the same caliber and same profile?

 

[MtnMann]

Hello all!
As I get ready to pursue the wildcat flavor, what barrel would y'all recommend for a lightweight, accurate, hunting, 20", in a 7Mega and 338Mega or Max?
I have Carbon6 barrels for my 300wm and 280ai. Just not sure it they're the lightest option vs a slimmer profile with flutes.
Thank you,
Brian

If it helps, my 7mm Bartlein CFW #4 barrel chambered in 7mm PRC at 20.75" is about 43oz.

 

[ARlife4me]

Is it the same caliber and same profile?

The 32" ss is a 26cal Savage magnum profile, the 30" cf is a magnum profile (just less than a bull profile according to when I ordered it). With the 30cal having more bore removed should be even lighter?