Carbon or Steel Shorty

[JTH]

I've got three proof Sendero (not Sendero light, no experience there) carbon fiber barrels, varying from 22", 24" and 26", all run suppressed and all are 0.5 moa. I've also run a Christensen ridge line with a relatively thin steel barrel suppressed with great results. My experience has been that the can aids accuracy regardless of barrel type. However, if you want to run a larger profile barrel, the added weight of steel makes the rifle muzzle heavy and unbalanced. The longer the barrel the more this shows up. Carbon fiber helps to counteract that, which is why I prefer carbon fiber barrels for suppressed rifles, keeping the scoped weight at 10 pounds or a little less (with heavy tactical scopes).

 

[Roughrice]

Perhaps only my buddy and I have had the anomoly of carbon LIGHT barrels with suppressors.

 

[tahoe1305]

That's awesome. I've got a 24" Brux 3 contour in 260 Rem that weighs right at 3.0 lbs even. To chop it 4" and flute it and lose a pound would be awesome.

Re look at post. Apologies. I meant a benchmark #3.

 

[7.62 Gunner]

I guess I have not had any issue with a carbon barrel supporting a suppressor. Specifically, I'm running a Bartlein Sendero CF which is a fairly light contour. And I'm running a SiCo 36M which is not exactly a lightweight can. It shoots both suppressed and unsupressed sub half-minute. Also I have a K&P steel barrel that also shoots sub half minute both suppressed and unsupressed. The only difference between the two is how heavy they are.

I have no idea where the claims that a thin contour or carbon wrapped barrel can't support a can come from. I've been doing it for years (as have many gunsmiths) and it's been just fine. Is this just another "phantom rule" that internet communities have created or am I missing something?

The only discernible difference that I have ever noticed is the amount of zero shift. With a very heavy contour, it was not uncommon for me to see roughly a half minute shift, versus a thinner profile would shift a minute to a minute and a half. Of course this is very dependent on the specific rifle. But regardless of a half minute shift to even say a two minute shift, does it really matter if it is repeatable? Surely you guys are recording a suppressed and unsuppressed zero, right?

The best thing you can do is call some barrel manufacturers and talk with a knowledgeable engineer about, harmonics, barrel whip, diameter, weight, and all that good stuff.
I can tell you every high quality barrel maker has a length limit for light contours, and it's because long and skinny will be more prone to inconsistencies.
Same with hanging an extra pound on the end, some skinny barrels will shoot but the longer and skinnier you go the more likely it's going to be that it won't.
I don't subscribe to the huge heavy barrel stuff especially with short barrels, I run an 18" factory Tikka contour flared to .730 at the muzzle and have shot some amazing groups out to 1000

 

[idcwby]

Muzzle dia is important only for thread sizing, for me anyway. You can't put 5/8-24 threads on a muzzle less than .625" without thread adapters and extra crap. Pick your muzzle device in a given thread pitch based on availability, direct thread suppressor it's obvious. In my case Q makes adaptors in multiple pitches for the can I already own some are available some back order.
What's your intended use of the gun?
Will saving a few ounces be worth the extra cost?
On hunting rifles I'm all for carbon fiber, every ounce counts in the hills and the cool factor is undeniable.
Truck, tractor, deer blind gun it's a toss up you'll never notice the extra ounce or two.
Folder or fixed stock, in/out of a pack or use only a sling.
Target gun the extra weight is beneficial, but I leave my 12lb long barreled gun at home if I'm walking any distance.
My next rifle will wear a 16" steel m24 contour, folding stock, it'll be exclusively suppressed and should fit perfectly in my pack.

It's a hunting rifle that I pack, that's why I'm looking at a shorter barrel option.

 

[idcwby]

That was a post from 10 years ago. The following post after fiftydrivers explained that it depends on the weave and bonding agents which is what I have been finding. I also believe technology has advanced quite a bit since 2012. Call me a skeptic but from the research I have done I can't find anything "proving" the theory that a carbon barrel with a steel liner that twice the thickness of a steel barrel is less rigid. If someone could find something proving this theory I would like to see it since I have always been under the impression that carbon fiber barrels are more rigid.

I don't have the equipment or barrels of similar profiles to do a test like Fiftydriver did or I would. If you do, that would be the quickest way to answer the question of which is more rigid.

 

[2buffalo]

I don't. Everything I have read contradicts what is being told to the OP. Just making sure I wasn't missing something.

 

[FEENIX]

To run a can, you need at least a number 3 profile steel? If I went carbon, I was looking at Carbon 6 because you can have 1.5" of muzzle steel instead of the normal 1" that's on other barrels.

Do NOT let anyone, including myself talk you out of what you really want. "I" went with a 22" 1:8" CarbonSix barrel for my.338 NMI for suppressed hunting/shooting (my preference for my intended purpose). It is .860" at the muzzle.

Good luck!

 

[JTH]

It's a hunting rifle that I pack, that's why I'm looking at a shorter barrel option.

I like the short barrels (have two of them) but miss the velocity potential. The shorties are really great when hunting out of a blind. When I'm out west and the potential distances are longer I'm leaning more toward 24" and 26" cf barrels (suppressed) to get all the velocity that I can with big heavy bullets and still keep the rifle package balanced. Take a look at the Kifaru Gun Bearer sling, it positions the barrel differently so it's not getting hung up in overhanging limbs when you're in timber, and you can still get the rifle out pretty quick. My 24" barrel suppressed rifle has the muzzle at about shoulder height when carrying with this sling.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Do NOT let anyone, including myself talk you out of what you really want. "I" went with a 22" 1:8" CarbonSix barrel for my.338 NMI for suppressed hunting/shooting (my preference for my intended purpose). It is .860" at the muzzle.

View attachment 422330

Good luck!

Ed is this the Magnum profile?

 

[FEENIX]

Ed is this the Magnum profile?

No Sir! C6's magnum contour is .900" and their Sendero is .830". I originally placed an order for their featherweight (.750") and a 2.50" shank but when Gene Gordon called me to confirm my order, he recommended a 2.75" shank and .860" muzzle diameter after learning about my project build and intended purpose.

Ed

 

[idcwby]

Do NOT let anyone, including myself talk you out of what you really want. "I" went with a 22" 1:8" CarbonSix barrel for my.338 NMI for suppressed hunting/shooting (my preference for my intended purpose). It is .860" at the muzzle.

View attachment 422330

Good luck!

Don't worry no one is going to talk me out of anything. I'm just trying to figure out what would work best and my options.

 

[idcwby]

I like the short barrels (have two of them) but miss the velocity potential. The shorties are really great when hunting out of a blind. When I'm out west and the potential distances are longer I'm leaning more toward 24" and 26" cf barrels (suppressed) to get all the velocity that I can with big heavy bullets and still keep the rifle package balanced. Take a look at the Kifaru Gun Bearer sling, it positions the barrel differently so it's not getting hung up in overhanging limbs when you're in timber, and you can still get the rifle out pretty quick. My 24" barrel suppressed rifle has the muzzle at about shoulder height when carrying with this sling.

I have the long barrel/suppressed combo at the moment and it gets annoying packing it around. My guns overall length is at 59". So I'm trying to shorten that and after reading about these short barrels breaking 3000fps with a magnum cartridge and 200grsh bullet, I'm thinking I got to try it.

 

[GoosePilot]

Perhaps only my buddy and I have had the anomoly of carbon LIGHT barrels with suppressors.

I have a 24" proof sendero light on my 7mm blaser and it has been extremely consistent with the banish 30 can on out to 1000 yards