Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Carbon Fiber Barrel Wrap

Does covering a barrel with carbon fiber actually accomplish anything?

Raises profit margin by 25%.

I have been working with composites this last year. Carbon, basalt , innegra , aramid, kevlar. Fascinating stuff and would like to do one of my old guns just for the experience.

It doesn't conduct heat very well does it?

From my research the consensus is carbon fiber transfers heat really well, the resin used to glue it together is horrible

I'm no expert but my ridgeline shoots very well. Can't say it is because of the barrel. But it looks cool haha As was said it wasn't cheap. Anyone know if the wrap stabilizes the barrel? I like bull barrels but not for walk hunting anymore.

The resin scratches like crazy, most used is polyester and vinyl ester resin.

I thought it was done to stiffen the barrel without the weight of a heavier, stiffer steel barrel.

That's the idea. I have a magnum research 22 mag semi auto that is a delight to carry and shoot.

I always thought those looked like a fun rifle.

Yep. And it works done properly.

Yes.

I have purchased two. The objective is less weight for a given outside diameter. My last one was a full Sendero diameter for a little more stiffness.

Once I purchased two 26" barrels at the same time. The carbon fiber wrapped was a Sendero light profile while the other was a copy of the six lug Weatherby ultralight 24" with 2" added to its length. The stainless barrel was heavily fluted by Twisted Barrel. Both weighed forty ounces.

MMMM, no.

Does that one stay in you dump truck also?

If I'm not mistaken EVERY single winning benchrest gun has a carbon fiber barrel. Old outdated stainless steel barrels can't compete with the super-cool barrels.
Only a fool would buy an all steel barrel.
Over...

I have one as well, and they are a very fun rifle.

Depends on the carbon wrap.

Carbon Wrapped barrels are lighter for the same outside diameter and maintain stiffness

Well, being the owner of several carbon wrapped barrels, I say the only advantage is weight and they are not always lighter the steel, depending on the contour. However, newer shooters entering the field (and some older ones like me) like to shoot rifles with brakes and suppressors, you can't screw these things on thin tapered barrels and you need some threading and a bit of shoulder. For the Area 419 brake I use, it requires a shoulder of .750 for 5/8x24 threads. I had one steel barrel like that, a #4, and I didn't like carrying it around. These days, I use Proof pre-fits which are light enough and are ready for a suppressor. Steel barrels typically run about 1/2 the price of carbon wraps and that's "one" of the reasons competitors don't typically use carbon wrapped barrels, they burn out barrels and replace them often, hunters are one-and-done typically with barrel and "burn out".