Carbon barrels

[quandary]

Mine are all DIY parts selection, ordering and assembling. I have a gunsmith chamber the barrel and if its not a chassis bed the action. I figure as much as a good action and stock cost its worth a few bucks to pay a gunsmith to bed the barreled action.

 

[sierrastalker]

I've got 2 Carbon 6's, both on Tikka actions and both shooters. One is in 280AI and the other is a 7SAUM. The 280 has become by far the most accurate rifle I own with multiple loads. It has shot just about every projectile and powder combo I've tried in it. I always talk about how 'boring' that rifle is, because you know what's going to happen when you pull the trigger (until the wind gets too wild and outpaces my skills). The 7SAUM is much newer so hasn't seen as many combos of components but was very easy to develop a load with my 1st choice of projectile which is all I've been shooting in it to get ready for an upcoming bear hunt. I wouldn't hesitate to order another barrel from C6. Lead time is very long but I think that's just how it goes at this point.

Also have a Proof on a Kidd 10/22 that I put together, it also shoots very, very tight groups with nearly any ammo I feed it.

I've got a SS Bartlein #3. No carbon barrels from them but that profile seems to work great on the hunting rig I've got it on, and I don't think it's heavier than a carbon in a sendero profile. It's an absolute tack driver and really stands out in that it is nearly impossible to foul with copper, which is really nice. I got it from Southern Precision and I'd definitely buy a Bartlein from them again, and wouldn't hesitate to try one of their carbon barrels.

All above mentioned are prefits on DIY "semi-customs".

 

[Mike D Texas]

It's unfortunate that I have a dud and a so so barrel and admittedly my sample size is very small. I think Gene is a great guy and the C6 pricing is hard to beat. But the wait time is long. However I would rather spend the extra $400 or $500 and get a superior cut barrel. At the end of the day it saves time and money. As an example I just started load development of a CRB barrel. 23 rounds into load development and I have a load shooting .25 MOA 3 shot groups. I also just got a new Bartlein 35 Whelen carbon barrel for which I haven't even started working on loads and my break in load is shooting .7 MOA 10 shot groups, which for a 35 Whelen is outstanding. In contrast I am 318 rounds, 6 bullets, 3 powders and 2 BAT Vampire actions into trying to find a load for my C6 7PRC barrel and I still don't have a load that shoots worth a darn. Now every barrel maker occasionally has a dud and I would chalk it up to that but my 300PRC C6 barrel is also only an ok shooter, nothing great. It's either the McGowen blanks, the chambering or bad luck, I don't know which. But we move on. I am trying one last load on the 7PRC and am at the bullet seating stage, if this one doesn't work I will give up and have Travis Stevens spin me up a 7PRC CRB barrel or have Bartlein put one together for me and move on.

That really stinks. But it seems that I've seen more issues getting 7PRC rifles to shoot well than many other chamberings. I'm sure there are some out there that shoot lights out but I sure have seen a lot of complaints on the 7PRC specifically.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

That really stinks. But it seems that I've seen more issues getting 7PRC rifles to shoot well than many other chamberings. I'm sure there are some out there that shoot lights out but I sure have seen a lot of complaints on the 7PRC specifically.

My first 7PRC barrel was terrible and I wasted a lot of time on it, 24" #3 Bartlein, not fluted.
The next one from the same manufacturer that I already owned, is sweet, a 26" heavily fluted #4.
3/8" x 5 pattern, spiral, and deep fluted. Kinda scary to look at if you think about it too long…but it's a good one.

 

[Lazy D]

As you can see everyone will tell you which one they think is best. For the most part, they are all pretty good. The most accurate rifle I've done, that would shoot a factory load .373", was my most recent 22 Creedmoor with a 22" 1-7 BSF. There are just so many variables, you can just say brand X barrel won't shoot good. And I've done several 7mm PRC with a Proof that would shoot factory ammo sub MOA. Some guys that's all they want. Some will hand load and I've seen 7mm PRC shoot sub 1/2. Would that C6 shoot better if it was bedded, or a different action or a different smith, or scope, or shooter or ammo….or any number of other variables? Who knows. But any of y'all that have a crappy shooting barrel and wanna give it away, send it my way.
For years I built all the sniper rifles for the agency I retired from. I once had a Bartlein that would shoot an ugly minute Till it git 20 fouling shots. Then it would just tighten up and shoot sub half's and smaller with Fed GM 308. Of course we had to use a factory load for liability reasons. Over 10,000 rounds later, that gun was still shooting lights out once fouled.
So if you got one that will not shoot clean, maybe you need to get it good and fouled.
Every rifle is different and you have to figure out what it likes.

 

[Muledeerhuntingfreak]

Lance recommend a Benchmark to me on a new 300 PRC build. I went with the full CF Sendero contour. I think it's going to shoot well. I just started load development with 230 Hybrids. I haven't hit pressure yet, but here are some of my first groups showing shot #4-12 on the barrel.

Benchmark is right in my backyard. So I guess I'm going to pick one of them up. One of these days for a model 700 I have been. Do you mean sit in the gun safe? Trying to figure out what I want to do with. I have heard a lot of great.
Things about benchmark. Actually, talk to them direct. And went to their facility thier about 15 minutes away.