Barrel sleeve stiffener

[the keepa]

I just read an article in an old American Rifleman magazine(Nov.1982) where the author gives details on... "..increasing barrel stiffness by adding a sleeve ..."
Basically, the sleeve(a seamless steel tube) is slid over the barrel , centered then filled with epoxy.
Anyone ever try this, or hear of it tried ?
The author claims group size average dropped 3/8 of an inch after sleeve was installed . He fired 5 10-shot strings @ 100 yds. before and after installation .
This was done on a Springfield 03-A3 barrel ...I'm assuming 30-06 cal.

 

[monkeycanada]

Yes they are called Composite barrels and have been around for years. They are supposed to be very very stiff but the main problem with them is barrel heat build up. They are often made of carbon fibre and and of large diameter. They tend to be very complex to design and make.

 

[the keepa]

The article sounds do-able ...."The technique ....has some distinct advantages for the man on a limited shooting budget ."....which certainly floats my boat .
What the hell...I'll just post the whole article here...see what you guys think ...be back later .
Run out of ink ...back tomorrow

 

[winchester_070]

A fella on a very limited budget shoots at our range , he has a 308(i believe ) on a 98 mauser action . His gun shot around 1" groups sometimes down to 3/4" he went to the dump got an old bicycle, cut the frame off so the Frame tube would slip over his barrel back to where the barrel taper comes to approx 1" . He wraped the barrel with fibreglass cloth and resin and slid the tube over it . That gun now shoots lots of groups in the 5/8" range and some smaller , he also shoots some amazing groups at 1000yrds with that gun .So does the barrel sleeve thing work? Yes it does on some guns , i would assume that it would not on all ,but if you have a decent barrel to start with i just might help . By the way he does not seem to have any heating problems but the most we shoot are ten shot strings at 1000yrd .

 

[the keepa]

Here's the article ;

Similar to what winchester 070's acquaintance did ....

 

[Mystic Precision]

Tensioned barrels are quite popular in benchrest these days. Same concept except the front and rear of the tube has a nut which allows you to 'tighten' or tension the sleeve around the barrel.

Barrel is threaded I believe.

You can also do a similar thing by using pressure bedding or barrel band.

Of course, simply adjusting your load will reach the same level of accuracy
Jerry