Carbon-Wrapped Barrels

ZERODIN

July 04, 2004 00:07

Has anyone had direct experience with these? Winchester, Christensen Arms, and others will build a custom gun or at least custom barrel out of a top-notch barrel that they cut down and sleeve with a carbon-fiber wrapping. Carbon fiber is supposedly lighter, stronger, and far less affected by heat than steel, so you get a more accurate gun that weighs less.

I want Christensen to build me one off a Winchester action and Krieger barrel, but step 1 is to accumulate the cash for it. In the meantime, does anyone have well-founded opinions about this concept? [:)]

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  nononsense

  July 04, 2004 07:40

  ZERODIN,
  
  Here is a c&p from one of the manufacturers of 'carbon wrapped' barrels:
  
  Product Profile
  
  * Heat Management
  
  We recognize that heat management is a critical element of building a better barrel. Carbon composite barrels built with ordinary fiber grades have a reputation of insulating heat. We use a patent pending method of applying a remarkable thermally conductive matrix that conducts heat 372% faster than steel. This technology has made our barrels thrive in the high volume world of gas operated semi and full auto firearms.
  
  * Accuracy
  
  Many old technology composite barrels rely on tensioning a composite sleeve over a tiny barrel liner. There are flaws in this approach. When steel is heated, it expands; carbon shrinks when heated. Any heat changes the amount of tension in the barrel and as a result the harmonics change too. Our patent pending method of tuning the barrels by manipulating the helix angle of the fiber placement isn't heat sensitive. We offer benchrest accuracy with sporter weight.
  
  * Safety
  
  We don't sacrifice safety for anything. We start with top quality lightweight barrels and enhance their performance with carbon. Our barrels can be safely fired without the carbon applied. The composite matrix is tough, durable and uses a patent pending crack propagation limiting technique that is extraordinarily tough. This composite is not fragile like your fly rod or golf club shaft.
  http://home.alltel.net/mdegerness/
  
  
  One of the problems mentioned above with the wrapping of barrels, is that the material used for wrapping (carbon fiber) can be of at least two different types or matrix designs. One type actually insulates the barrel, thereby holding the heat in rather than pulling it away from the barrel insert. The biggest drawback to wanting to use this process is trying to determine who uses the right (or wrong) technique and the right (or wrong) matrix. There has to be a scientific expert here that can clarify this carbon wrapping succinctly and help us with determining who is doing it correctly.
  
  There is some great reading available if you can do a search on the net for this topic.
  
  I'm in the same boat as you with regard to a carbon wrapped barrel except that I just can't justify the use with the cost at all.
  
  Best.

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