Carbon fiber barrels, good/bad?

I had a Christensen Arms in 28 Nosler with a carbon barrel and was a huge fan, if I was buying a new barrel for a mountain or target rifle I wouldn’t hesitate on the carbon fibre barrel. Light weight, fast cooling, and strong. Apparently the harmonics are better for accuracy due to the vibration of the bullet travelling down the barrel but I never shot farther than 600M. When it comes down to it, the barrel and rifling is still steel, and it’s simply wrapped in carbon fibre. My personal opinion is if your going to get a new barrel, go the distance rather than 3/4 if you can afford it, keeping in mind the price difference is minimal compared to quality rifle blanks.
 
Thanks Jerry- that’s good info.
Mike

There are definitely more than 2 manufacturers of barrel steel in the world. Like any other barrel manufacturer, regardless of country of origin, good steel is available from a variety of sources. Whether a given manufacturer chooses to use the best available is a different story.

I have no dog in this fight, but anyone interested in carbon barrels should read into any technical information available from Proof Research - the company was originally (and continues to be) highly involved in carbon fibre and composites for the aerospace industry.
 
keeping in mind the price difference is minimal compared to quality rifle blanks.

What does a top quality carbon wrapped barrel blank cost in Canada? (The last one I installed my customer said it cost him $1200)
What do match quality barrel blanks cost in Canada?

My hunch is the difference is not minimal...
 
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Bartlein barrels are around 700 Canadian and Christensen Arms Carbon wrapped barrels are around 950 Canadian.
 
Bartlein barrels are around 700 Canadian and Christensen Arms Carbon wrapped barrels are around 950 Canadian.

Based on my admittedly small sample size of one barrel, Christensen seems to be at the lower end of C-F barrel technology and pricing. A better comparison might be the pricing on a Proof or a Hardy barrel.
 
Absolutely. I’m just trying to suggest a comparison price from a carbon to steel barrel, in a world of carbon wrapped barrels I’d stick with Proof. Hence why I no longer have a Christensen, even though it was accurate.
 
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