mountainman56
Well-Known Member
I said I wouldn't, I've had many very experienced people tell me not to, but I've gone and done it anyway. Carbon fiber barrels seem to be the latest trend but I managed to avoid them until my good friend expressed an interest in having one on his rifle.
After a lot of research I decided to try a Carbonsix barrel in their featherweight contour. Since I'd gone down the rabbit hole anyway I ordered it threaded for my receiver and pre-chambered in 300 WM. When I ordered the barrel their site said 8 weeks lead time but shortly thereafter changed to 11 weeks. Delivery actually was a little over 11 weeks but customer service was very satisfactory and any and all questions were answered promptly.
Upon arrival inspection revealed extremely nice work with a beautifully cut chamber. I wrongly assumed it would be short chambered but it threaded onto a Stiller Predator action and headspaced perfectly. The only problem putting the rifle together was coming up with a stock to fit. The Carbonsix featherweight contour is pretty much a straight taper from 1.2" to .750 at the muzzle. I have a H&S Sendero I stock but I would have had to remove material about midway in the barrel channel. Plus at 37.5 ounces is not exactly lightweight. Ideally I wanted a McMillan Edge built for this barrel but the lead time on that is prohibitive. I am still searching for the stock I want but in the meantime it was Boyd's to the rescue. I have always had good luck with Boyd's stocks (their poor packaging aside) and this was no exception. A prairie hunter with sendero contour arrived in 8 days. Pillar bedded, barrel channel modified and with all the material I dared remove from the interior of the buttstock it weighs in at 33.5 oz. including a 1" Pachmayr recoil pad. Topped off with Talley one piece rings and bases and a 3-10 x 42 Swarovsky and an ugly 3+ oz brake the entire package weighs in at 8.5 lbs. Not exactly lightweight but will have to do till a proper stock is selected.
At this point all I have done is the barrel break in but initial results are looking favorable indeed. Will it shoot better than a $350 barrel of similar weight, the jury will be out on that for some time. I'm not sure I like the mass of the barrel as it does limit the stock options for lightweight builds, however my beautiful bride informs me is a "manly looking rifle".
Hopefully it's a manly looking rifle that shoots little tiny bugholes.
After a lot of research I decided to try a Carbonsix barrel in their featherweight contour. Since I'd gone down the rabbit hole anyway I ordered it threaded for my receiver and pre-chambered in 300 WM. When I ordered the barrel their site said 8 weeks lead time but shortly thereafter changed to 11 weeks. Delivery actually was a little over 11 weeks but customer service was very satisfactory and any and all questions were answered promptly.
Upon arrival inspection revealed extremely nice work with a beautifully cut chamber. I wrongly assumed it would be short chambered but it threaded onto a Stiller Predator action and headspaced perfectly. The only problem putting the rifle together was coming up with a stock to fit. The Carbonsix featherweight contour is pretty much a straight taper from 1.2" to .750 at the muzzle. I have a H&S Sendero I stock but I would have had to remove material about midway in the barrel channel. Plus at 37.5 ounces is not exactly lightweight. Ideally I wanted a McMillan Edge built for this barrel but the lead time on that is prohibitive. I am still searching for the stock I want but in the meantime it was Boyd's to the rescue. I have always had good luck with Boyd's stocks (their poor packaging aside) and this was no exception. A prairie hunter with sendero contour arrived in 8 days. Pillar bedded, barrel channel modified and with all the material I dared remove from the interior of the buttstock it weighs in at 33.5 oz. including a 1" Pachmayr recoil pad. Topped off with Talley one piece rings and bases and a 3-10 x 42 Swarovsky and an ugly 3+ oz brake the entire package weighs in at 8.5 lbs. Not exactly lightweight but will have to do till a proper stock is selected.
At this point all I have done is the barrel break in but initial results are looking favorable indeed. Will it shoot better than a $350 barrel of similar weight, the jury will be out on that for some time. I'm not sure I like the mass of the barrel as it does limit the stock options for lightweight builds, however my beautiful bride informs me is a "manly looking rifle".
Hopefully it's a manly looking rifle that shoots little tiny bugholes.Attachments
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