Carbon wrap barrels

Malxwal · Apr 2, 2026

Possibly the wrong section ?
Anyhoo, those of you who've gone down the carbon wrap barrel route:
Why did you go there, and did it meet expectation/achieve goal ?
Have you achieved the accuracy you'd demand from a conventional barrel (for the same task)?
Have you tested for POI shift under strings of sat five shots ?

Ronin · Apr 2, 2026

Quality CF barrels such as Proof Research are usually zero shift both in terms of cold bore shift and cyclic fire (within reason )

cF barrels that are “sleeved” are another matter entirely

Malxwal · Apr 2, 2026

Ronin said:
Quality CF barrels such as Proof Research are usually zero shift both in terms of cold bore shift and cyclic fire (within reason )

cF barrels that are “sleeved” are another matter entirely

Now there's my lack of knowledge for a start. What's the actual difference in construction? Always heard about Proof, and not much else to be fair.

Ronin · Apr 2, 2026

Proof wrap their barrels under tension with “wet epoxy” impregnating the fibre it’s then cured and turned to finish

The bond to the barrel is secure, under tension along the whole outside diameter of the barrel therefore the wrap and barrel act as one unit

Other barrels have a pre formed carbon sleeve that is glued to the profile of the barrel

So not 100% contact and no tension of the fibre tube (sleeve) acting with the steel barrel

Malxwal · Apr 2, 2026

Are Proof then really the only viable option, or are there other similar quality manufacturers?

MarinePMI · Apr 2, 2026

Malxwal said:
Possibly the wrong section ?
Anyhoo, those of you who've gone down the carbon wrap barrel route:
Why did you go there, and did it meet expectation/achieve goal ?

Was looking at weight reduction mostly, and while it did, it wasn't much.

Malxwal said:
Have you achieved the accuracy you'd demand from a conventional barrel (for the same task)?

Yes, though you have to be careful with long shot strings. There is a perception that accuracy wanes as the barrel heats up. What I have found is that actually what happens is mirage off the barrel distorts sight picture, causing the appearance that accuracy has opened up. Running a mirage band, or a chassis with a barrel heat shield proves this is often the case.

Malxwal said:
Have you tested for POI shift under strings of sat five shots ?

Assuming that the mirage is mitigated, no.

FWIW, I run a "Carbon 6" barrel in 6.5CM on one of my hunting rifles (similar quality/process as Proof; I think the guys that started it used to work at Proof).

Malxwal · Apr 2, 2026

MarinePMI said:
Was looking at weight reduction mostly, and while it did, it wasn't much.

Yes, though you have to be careful with long shot strings. There is a perception that accuracy wanes as the barrel heats up. What I have found is that actually what happens is mirage off the barrel distorts sight picture, causing the appearance that accuracy has opened up. Running a mirage band, or a chassis with a barrel heat shield proves this is often the case.

Assuming that the mirage is mitigated, no.

FWIW, I run a "Carbon 6" barrel in 6.5CM on one of my hunting rifles (similar quality/process as Proof; I think the guys that started it used to work at Proof).

Then the testing of a five shot string, starting from a cold bore shot, carried out with mirage band (or perhaps this weekend in a strong wind with a felt temp of -1⁰c) would be a good indication.
The five shot string, for me anyway, would be a very rare event, but I'd not be interested in something that wanders.

MarinePMI · Apr 2, 2026

Malxwal said:
Then the testing of a five shot string, starting from a cold bore shot, carried out with mirage band (or perhaps this weekend in a strong wind with a felt temp of -1⁰c) would be a good indication.
The five shot string, for me anyway, would be a very rare event, but I'd not be interested in something that wanders.

Personally, I'd do five shots. Wait 30 secs. Another five shots. Then test shoot.

Or just shoot 3 5 shot test groups and see if they open up as you proceed.

I tend to shoot PRS stages, so 10-12 rounds in rapid succession is not unusual, but does start to create a mirage (especially if you're already sitting out in the direct sunlight, and the barrel is heating up from that as well).

Malxwal · Apr 2, 2026

MarinePMI said:
Personally, I'd do five shots. Wait 30 secs. Another five shots. Then test shoot.

Or just shoot 3 5 shot test groups and see if they open up as you proceed.

I tend to shoot PRS stages, so 10-12 rounds in rapid succession is not unusual, but does start to create a mirage (especially if you're already sitting out in the direct sunlight, and the barrel is heating up from that as well).

I'd think PRS would be a more intense test, but a great indicator. Mirage causing POI via the shooter is a "subjective", but the barrel itself shifting an "absolute".
The reality of the barrel shooting a sub MOA group in a five shot string from cold bore would probably satisfy me.

RRJ · Apr 2, 2026

I have a Hardy Hybrid 6.5 PRC, Carbon wrapped.
I went from conventional Schultz and Larsen with nice wood to this and like it.
Why as it was available and I liked the whole package.
But still have the traditional rifles.

I use it as a Stalking rifle so never fires more than a few checking zero or on hinds.
I have no knowledge of other alternatives but grouping is very
repeatable and for my skills very accurate.

Can anybody enlighten me how it compares to Carbon 6 and Proof wrapped barrels?

MarinePMI · Apr 2, 2026

RRJ said:
I have a Hardy Hybrid 6.5 PRC, Carbon wrapped.
I went from conventional Schultz and Larsen with nice wood to this and like it.
Why as it was available and I liked the whole package.
But still have the traditional rifles.

I use it as a Stalking rifle so never fires more than a few checking zero or on hinds.
I have no knowledge of other alternatives but grouping is very
repeatable and for my skills very accurate.

Can anybody enlighten me how it compares to Carbon 6 and Proof wrapped barrels?

I'm not familiar with Hardy barrels, but Carbon 6 use McGowan blanks (and Carbon 6 is a sister company to McGowan Barrels).

ejg · Apr 2, 2026

We have a Hardy carbon that shoots like a surgical tool in 6,5CM, a Proof Sendero Carbon in 6.5CM that shot well from the beginning, also have a Proof Sendero Carbon Light in 300wm 24" that shoots really nice. For my kind of hunting and occasional plinking at longer ranges I don't think I want a normal barrel anymore.
There is however one brand I know that just shoves a carbon tube over a thin barrel without glue, just held on with a nut. If you tap this barrel you get a hollow sound as the carbon does not touch the steel core everywhere. Sells as a carbon barrel.
The 24mm carbon proof weighed similar or less than a 16mm sporter barrel. Nice warm feel in winter when grabbing the barrel. I am also convinced the Carbon barrels dampen impulse somewhat. Carbon also dampens vibration very well.
edi

Malxwal · Apr 2, 2026

ejg said:
We have a Hardy carbon that shoots like a surgical tool in 6,5CM, a Proof Sendero Carbon in 6.5CM that shot well from the beginning, also have a Proof Sendero Carbon Light in 300wm 24" that shoots really nice. For my kind of hunting and occasional plinking at longer ranges I don't think I want a normal barrel anymore.
There is however one brand I know that just shoves a carbon tube over a thin barrel without glue, just held on with a nut. If you tap this barrel you get a hollow sound as the carbon does not touch the steel core everywhere. Sells as a carbon barrel.
The 24mm carbon proof weighed similar or less than a 16mm sporter barrel. Nice warm feel in winter when grabbing the barrel. I am also convinced the Carbon barrels dampen impulse somewhat. Carbon also dampens vibration very well.
edi

Out of interest Edi, are either of the 6.5 barrels "short", as I'm also interested in doing this as a short barrel (likely in in one of your new Etacs)?

ejg · Apr 3, 2026

Malx, the Hardy Barrel is 20" sitting in the new E-Tac. Lovely setup. She does around 2712fps with 140 ELDM. I have taken deer at good distance with her.
edi

Jagged77 · Apr 3, 2026

I’ve recently put one on a .338 lap mag, haven’t had the chance to work up a load yet but it’s certainly transformed the handling of the rifle. Has turned a big lump into a perfectly usable field rifle.

Tralle · Apr 3, 2026

Have anyone tried the Bixn Andy carbon barrels?

Malxwal · Apr 3, 2026

ejg said:
Malx, the Hardy Barrel is 20" sitting in the new E-Tac. Lovely setup. She does around 2712fps with 140 ELDM. I have taken deer at good distance with her.
edi

That kinda thing, just a shorter barrel, if I convince myself a 16.5" Creedmoor is viable.

Ronin · Apr 3, 2026

Tralle said:
Have anyone tried the Bixn Andy carbon barrels?

I haven’t - didn’t know they manufactured them - who makes their barrels

Tralle · Apr 3, 2026

Ronin said:
I haven’t - didn’t know they manufactured them - who makes their barrels

I believe they are single cut in house.
Only information on their carbon barrels is that they are wrapped.

Barrels - Bixn-Andy

BARRELS High quality rifle barrels Excellence and precision for your perfect shot During the last 15 years, rifle barrels have almost completely prevailed over pressed barrels, especially in the arena of precision competitive shooting This situation led to prolonged delivery times for the...

bixn-andy.at

They do Blaser aftermarket barrels as well.

ejg · Apr 3, 2026

Ronin said:
I haven’t - didn’t know they manufactured them - who makes their barrels

Think they make them in-house. Pickert gunbuilder in Germany had one of his sons being trained with Andi Atzl and is using their process now in Germany using Lothar Walther barrels to wrap. I had a long chat with Andi at IWA. They have used our stocks in the past.
edi

Carbon wrap barrels

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