are carbon fiber barrels the wave of the future?

[Pdvdh]

I view it as something practical for extreme mountain hunting and kind of a fad for any other application.

Surprising how 'extreme' gets re-defined over time. Even foothills become 'extreme' after several days exertion, as I age.

 

[Triple BB]

I have a Proof on a recently built 338 Edge. I have a 300 RUM with a Bartlein Heavy Palma. It's very accurate, but not a gun I want to pack anymore. After this hunting season, I'm switching it with a Bartlein CF. Not sure I'll have a future need for another CF, but I won't hesitate to get one if I do.

 

[Huntz]

Savage was able to pack one onto a 1000$ rifle and keep their other parts similar cost. The similar rifle configuration without a CF barrel from savage is in the 700-800$ range. The sales for that rifle has been through the roof so I bet money on it other manufacturers and models will follow suit is my point. Maybe not mainstream but very close as the hunting world drives these type rifle sales.

$700.00 barrel on a $300.00 rifle.Lipstick on a pig.

 

[vancewalker007]

How did you determine the Proof seems to cool faster than your father's steel Brux?

Not scientific just by touch on the metal parts of each barrel near the actions after the same ammo being fired in both. I'd like to try a measuring device on them.

 

[Equalizer]

Surprising how 'extreme' gets re-defined over time. Even foothills become 'extreme' after several days exertion, as I age.

I get that. Guess there are other reasons I hadn't factored in. Carry what keeps you out there man.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

One thing you would not notice, unless you are in the industry is that the parts with the largest discounts to gunsmiths seem to become popular. If I look at the parts that a lot of smiths are using I see a correlation to profit margin more than pure quality. In this case, I can make about 4 times more on the part selling you a cf barrel than a steel barrel. Theres a huge difference in profit margin in actions and triggers too.

 

[J E Custom]

One other consideration.

A 1/2 to 1 pound savings if total rifle weight can be accomplished in other ways without spending extra money by simply going to a light weight stock and scope. with good choices, quality will not be lost.

Looking at the weight of different quality scopes of 20 to 25 max power, you can save 17 or 18 oz easy and still spend the same money or very close to it. Stocks are another way of saving over 1 pound just by selecting the material it is made from.

Liking heavy rifles, I normally use laminated stocks and heavy contoured barrels and don't worry about the scope weight as much as the power and features. It makes little sense to go with a lightweight barrel and then hang a 3 pound scope on it.

So I can see the attraction to carbon filled barrels as long as everything else is light weight if a person doesn't want to carry more than 6 or 7 pounds. But selecting the most accurate system is more important to me than a pound or two of carry weight.

J E CUSTOM

 

[TexasSportsman]

One other consideration.

A 1/2 to 1 pound savings if total rifle weight can be accomplished in other ways without spending extra money by simply going to a light weight stock and scope. with good choices, quality will not be lost.

Looking at the weight of different quality scopes of 20 to 25 max power, you can save 17 or 18 oz easy and still spend the same money or very close to it. Stocks are another way of saving over 1 pound just by selecting the material it is made from.

Liking heavy rifles, I normally use laminated stocks and heavy contoured barrels and don't worry about the scope weight as much as the power and features. It makes little sense to go with a lightweight barrel and then hang a 3 pound scope on it.

So I can see the attraction to carbon filled barrels as long as everything else is light weight if a person doesn't want to carry more than 6 or 7 pounds. But selecting the most accurate system is more important to me than a pound or two of carry weight.

J E CUSTOM

...or we can get into better shape. Remi Warren of Solo Hunter stated in one video that many of his clients are unable have successful hunts because they cannot endure the physical demands of the terrain and they'v spent little to no time at the range throughout the year to remain proficient.

Using lighter equipment to save a pound or two won't matter if the hunter is easily fatigued after a hundred yards or two with a pack full of necessary equipment.

 

[J E Custom]

I agree ! if you are not in good shape a couple of pounds wont make any difference. As I get older I prefer to let the bullet do the walking.

J E CUSTOM

 

[browndcm]

I own and shoot one also. But it's absolutely unrelated to their claim of improved heat transfer.

There's never been any technical explanation provided by Proof on their claims to improved heat transfer that I'm aware of. Otherwise, as a licensed engineer with training in heat transfer, I should have been able to find it while researching their claims. All I find is promotional statements, which I conclude are out of context with the realities of practical barrel heating and cooling, in order to promote sales.

Nosler inflated their bullet BC valued for decades. Do you believe Nosler, simply because they published false BC values? False promotional claims have always been used to increase profits, and they continue today, because it simply works. Sales are improved. I guarantee you false claims aren't employed to reduce profits.

By the way, if you always believed Nosler's bullet BC values, you might as well believe in the tooth fairy. Nosler only modified their bullet BC values closer to reality after they were irrefutably caught. Funny how human nature works when it comes to collecting others' money. Ethics generally have no role in the marketing department.

So ask Proof Research to provide you with their scientific research and explanation, including peer review with third party validation, that their barrels cool 466% faster than steel barrels. Post it here for us to read, so we can reach a determination based on something more than their promotional sales literature. Or ask any carbon fiber wrapped barrel manufacturer to provide the equivalent, if they make equivalent claims. I'm objective and willing to eat some crow. I'll review their "science" supporting their promotional literature. But don't be surprised to come back with a goose egg. Refusal will undoubtedly be accompanied with a claim it's proprietary and confidential. Which leaves us with nothing more than anecdotal evidence, the equivalent of, don't ask don't tell. Which is how Nosler misled their customers for decades.

Very good i agree 100%

 

[Pdvdh]

One thing you would not notice, unless you are in the industry is that the parts with the largest discounts to gunsmiths seem to become popular. If I look at the parts that a lot of smiths are using I see a correlation to profit margin more than pure quality. In this case, I can make about 4 times more on the part selling you a cf barrel than a steel barrel. There's a huge difference in profit margin in actions and triggers too.

Another confirmation money makes the world go round.

 

[Smithy62]

Until recently, carbon fiber barrels have been reserved for the expensive custom rifle market. We are now starting to see more and more barrel makers making these carbon fiber barrels and recently Savage has even released a production rifle with a CF barrel at a bargain if you ask me. Will we see CF barrels hit mainstream rifles? Will they become common place and basically end regular rifle barrels as we have today? Just curious. Partially because will this hurt the value of modern rifles. For example, a rifle from the 90s can still fetch a decent price since there aren't too many differences from them compared to rifles from a few years ago but if CF barrels become common practice, future generations may not want regular barrels making the common rifles now much less value. Thoughts?

Not really!
For one: lately CF brl's have become the latest a la Tesla trend, mostly due to purposely targetted (mis)advertising just like the way Hornady has pushed their 6.5CM up front in favour of the 6.5x47 Lapua and shoved down NA shooting communities throats!
2ndly): during their mfg'ring process, one has no control over which quality inside brl-liner was used nor what its steel properties are, ie SS/CrMb2!
3rdly): CF brl's are highly over-rated asfar as their beneficial properties goes, are costlier to produce at more then double to triple the cost of any custom brl and are in actual fact in by far most cases displaying shorter bore-life, with little or no real substantial gains in accuracy if compared to factory standard brl's, wether SS/CrMb2! The gap widends even more if compared to the higher quality after-market custom brl's; especially so if compared to properly stress-relieved deep-fluted brl's, which still hold the edge in all beforementioned fields! That's just my two cents worth of humble practical gunmaking experiences! Below a 100yrd sample of one of my 6.5-284 custom 'acme' deep-fluted brl's!

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Another confirmation money makes the world go round.

Not for everybody. You have to earn a living but profit doesnt have to be the main goal. Men in this country used to take pride in what they do and many still do. 70 years ago we made some of the best tools ever made, and everyone still earned a living. It can still be that way.

 

[Pdvdh]

Not for everybody. You have to earn a living but profit doesnt have to be the main goal. Men in this country used to take pride in what they do and many still do. 70 years ago we made some of the best tools ever made, and everyone still earned a living. It can still be that way.

Sound a lot like... Make America Great Again