Ways to cut weight on XCR-L barrel?

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durzoblint

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Wondering if anyone has dimpled their XCR-L Heavy barrel? If so is it even worth it?
Are there any other methods to shave weight with out compromising the integrity of the barrel?

Thanks
 
I know getting the light barrel would greatly reduce weight, but I don't think having work done to my barrel would cost as much as buying a new one? I mean correct me if I'm wrong, I've never had barrel work done.
 
durzoblint said:
I know getting the light barrel would greatly reduce weight, but I don't think having work done to my barrel would cost as much as buying a new one? I mean correct me if I'm wrong, I've never had barrel work done.
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I'm no expert, but my past research on barrels lead me to believe that any modification or change in a barrels exterior dimensions also correlates to a change in the barrels interior dimension (even just an increase in pressure on a barrel will have an affect). Any changes to a barrel can and will affect accuracy and not always in a positive manner. If a reduction in barrel weight is your goal then using a light barrel really is your only option (other then a barrel of reduced length). However a barrel less then 18.6" will cause a change in the rifles classification since we're talking about a semi-auto. centre-fire XCR.
 
If you don't want to pay for the light barrel then having the one you have turned down in a lathe is your best option.
Keep in mind you will be changing the barrel harmonics and as Zeroed-in mentioned accuracy may be affected. You don't know if it will improve or decrease accuracy until you try it though but since it's an XCR chances are you're not risking a sub moa rifle here.
If accuracy is destroyed and you end up with a 5+ moa rifle then you just buy a new factory light barrel or send in the rifle to Ian at Herron Arms with $1000 and he will rebarrel it using your factory barrel extension and a quality barrel blank, and he will turn it down to any profile you ask for. Accuracy will be improved and weight will be reduced.

Make sure you have a machinist experienced with building barrels turn down your factory barrel though, don't just take it to the machine shop down the road and have them cut it down. An experienced barrel builder will know how light you can safely make the barrel and where to leave more material, he will also know how to chuck the barrel properly to avoid damaging the crown and can also recrown it for you which may increase accuracy.

If can't find anyone locally and you're willing to ship it to Alberta I know a guy here that can do it for a reasonable cost.

Good luck and be sure to take pictures and post telling us how it goes.
 
Thanks for the interesting information. Any of you have experience with heavy and light barrels and how much they differ in accuracy?
 
I'm talking to a smith now, about turning my barrel.
I want the section between the gas block and muzzle turned down. I'm trying to calculate how much weight I'll drop, per .010 removed.
If this is do-able, and worth doing, I'll report back.

Fwiw, the barrel has over 10000 rounds through it. I figure it'll be a good test run.
 
Should be able to get 1800-2000 for an older model.

Email terry at blackartrifle.com he can flute it for you. He gave me a reasonable quote to flute and refinish, but I didn't go through with it.

Wolverine posted last year that the heavy barrel is 2.8lbs and the light profile barrel is 2.0lbs. I would expect fluting to get you down to at least 2.4lbs if not more. It'll look cool though!
 
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