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- Alfred Mendoza
- June 1, 2023
Owning a stronger but more lightweight barrel that provides less warping and vibration can help you obtain extreme precision. However, it’s tricky to spot the difference among the best barrels around.
Hence, our team did the testing and research to give you the best carbon fiber barrels today. Check out our list and the in-depth buying guide to help you find the best option.
- Built to precision specifications
- No issues with stringing
- Light and accurate
- Accepted for military use
- Improved heat dissipation
- Uses the carbon fiber jacketing method
- Stiff bull barrel profile
- Extremely lightweight
- Capable of cooling down faster
- Built from match-grade 416R
- Weight savings worth it
- Excellent finish
- Easy to install
- Shoots great at 100 yards
- Hand-lapped bore
Table of Contents
- 1 Top 5 Carbon Fiber Barrels for 2022
- 1.1 1. Proof Research PR10 Carbon Fiber 308 Win Rifle Barrels
- 1.2 2. BSF Barrels AR-15 .223 Wylde Barrel w/1:8 Twist
- 1.3 3. Helix 6 Precision Cut-Rifled Carbon Fiber Rifle Barrel
- 1.4 4. Christensen Arms .223 WYLDE Stainless Steel Aerograde Carbon Fiber Wrapped Barrel
- 1.5 5. Volquartsen Firearms 10/22 22 LR Carbon Fiber THM Tension Barrel w/Black Ends
- 2 Your Guide to Buying
- 3 Our Team's Selection Process
- 4 What’s Our Choice as the #1 Carbon Fiber Barrel?
Top 5 Carbon Fiber Barrels for 2022
1. Proof Research PR10 Carbon Fiber 308 Win Rifle Barrels
Why We Picked It:
Proof Research PR10 CF Barrels is one of the most reviewed models on the market today. When we first tried this model, we instantly noticed how it made our rifle extra lightweight compared to some traditional all-steel models.
We also noticed a difference in the precision of our shots. It could also cool down the barrel faster, giving us confidence in firing more accurate shots. It is extremely durable, increasing the rifle barrel’s life.
Who Should Use It:
If you aim for long-distance precision for your shots, this model is perfect for you. It provides extreme precision and reliability and is ideal for a field sport, target shooting, and precision bolt-action rifle.
Summary:
This is durable and controls temperature, providing precision in your every shot. It is also made through a unique manufacturing process and advanced technology. It is extra lightweight and improves temperature depletion.
PROS
- Built to precision specifications
- No issues with stringing
- Light and accurate
- Accepted for military use
- Improved heat dissipation
CONS
- Somewhat heavy for a hunting rifle
2. BSF Barrels AR-15 .223 Wylde Barrel w/1:8 Twist
Why We Picked It:
The BSF Barrels is also one of the best CF barrels that use a jacketing method instead of wrapping it in carbon fiber. This method is claimed to trap heat and cause delamination, which impressed us. BSF Carbon Barrels also used the same expansion rate as the 416R stainless.
When we used it in the gun range, we also noticed how the rifling became straighter as it gets warmer while under tension. This way, we maintained the barrel’s superior stiffness and strength while still being lightweight.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Who Should Use It:
This model is best for competition shooters who want a stiff bull barrel profile without any added density. This is also perfect for long-distance escapades as it provides precision.
Summary:
This model is made of stainless steel and carbon fiber. It provides precision, strength, and straighter rifling. It is also lightweight and is perfect for long-distance shooting. It also uses a jacketing method to materialize this CF barrel.
PROS
- Uses the carbon fiber jacketing method
- Stiff bull barrel profile
- Extremely lightweight
- Capable of cooling down faster
- Built from match-grade 416R
CONS
- Not-cost effective
3. Helix 6 Precision Cut-Rifled Carbon Fiber Rifle Barrel
Why We Picked It:
The Helix 6 Precision Cut-Rifled Carbon Fiber Rifle Blank features a proprietary carbon wrap process and stainless 416R core that provides a uniform bore. We also liked its thermal dissipation, which can create air gaps allowing air to cool down faster.
It was also almost 50% lighter compared to any standard barrel. We were also impressed with its harmonic dampening layup design and hand-lapped bore.
Who Should Use It:
This is ideal for hunters, sports shooters, and competitive shooters. It ultimately provides precision and fast heat dispersion and control amidst the high volume fire, so you could shoot better rounds.
Summary:
This model is weight savings worth it and cools down fast. It is also 50% more lightweight than traditional steel barrels. Furthermore, it comes with a harmonic dampening carbon layup design. Lastly, it is a hand-lapped bore and has a 416R stainless steel core.
PROS
- Weight savings worth it
- Excellent finish
- Easy to install
- Shoots great at 100 yards
- Hand-lapped bore
CONS
- Mediocre accuracy
4. Christensen Arms .223 WYLDE Stainless Steel Aerograde Carbon Fiber Wrapped Barrel
Why We Picked It:
This model is precision engineered using a proprietary layered design, offering any shooter superior precision and performance. Its lining is constructed from match-grade 416R stainless. The model is also wrapped in stainless aero-grade carbon fiber. It even has a tolerance of +/- .0001.
Who Should Use It:
This is recommended for shooters who handle heavy guns with powerful ammo like the 223 WYLDE. It is ideal for short-distance and long-distance sprees.
Summary:
This model is precision engineered using a proprietary layered design for superior precision and performance. It is wrapped in stainless aero-grade carbon fiber with a tolerance of +/- .0001. Its lining is constructed from match-grade 416R stainless.
PROS
- Uses proprietary layered design
- CF wrapped barrels
- Uses stainless aero-grade fiber
- Ideal tolerance for powerful shots
- Has a 416R stainless lining
CONS
- Some complaints about its quality
- Low trust rating
5. Volquartsen Firearms 10/22 22 LR Carbon Fiber THM Tension Barrel w/Black Ends
Why We Picked It:
This is another lightweight barrel option for shooters. It comes with a sleeve made to create tension on the barrel. We were impressed that it also comes with a unique design that eliminates common issues in smaller barrel profiles. Its tension barrel has a special taper honed to match the custom chamber and barrel.
Who Should Use It:
This is an all-around barrel for almost every shooter. This barrel is ideal for you whether you are a hunter, a competitive shooter, or a practiced shooter.
Summary:
Like carbon six models, this barrel is lightweight. It comes with a sleeve made to create tension which a special taper honed to match the chamber and barrel. It also comes with a unique design that eradicates common issues in smaller barrel profiles.
PROS
- Accurate
- Lightweight
- Eradicates common issues in smaller barrel profiles
- Creates tension
- Has a special taper
CONS
- A little pricey
- Installation was a bit difficult
Your Guide to Buying
Resistance to Corrosion
Carbon fiber has the properties of high strength, high modulus, high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, fatigue and creep resistance, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. It is mainly used for the preparation of composite materials. [1]
In this category, the best CF rifle barrels listed above all feature high-quality and longer-lasting barrels’ resistance to corrosion, like the carbon six models.
Easy Installation
It would be a hassle to buy a firearm accessory that needs a professional gunsmith’s help just to install it. Hence, we suggest that you search for a carbon barrel that is easy to install. It shouldn’t need special tools or professional help like carbon six and other rifles’ models. Most companies ensure ease of installation, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
Reduced Barrel Vibration
It is common knowledge that AR barrels made with carbon fiber are stiffer and more durable. Hence, these types of AR barrels offer less warping and vibration when used in the firing range. To know more about the reduction of barrel vibration capabilities of the barrel, you can always visit its manufacturer’s official website or read reviews about it.
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Durability & Consistency
Carbon fiber barrels feature a reliable strength-to-density ratio, making them useful for firearms industry application or your AR build.
When carbon fiber is integrated into steel barrel cores, it becomes more rigid.
Hence, it also becomes more accurate and repeatable, giving it a better consistency.
Weight & Length
Carbon fiber barrels are relatively more lightweight than all-steel-hard barrels. Thus, they are a better option for most competition shooters and hunters who aim to use the lightest rifle they could ever use. The barrel’s length also needs to be considered, which may somehow affect the barrel’s density.
Heat Control
Carbon fibers absorb and disperse temperature slower than steel-hard barrels, making a point of impact shift less intense. We suggest looking for a barrel that offers better heat dispersion and control because if it generates heat faster, it could be damaged faster, too. Remember, excessive barrel heat may shorten the life of a barrel.
Price
Of course, your budget/money may somehow affect your decision to buy the best CF barrels for your guns/rifles. It is always wise to weigh the budget and the features of the CF barrels. However, we suggest that you refrain from choosing budget over its features and vice versa. Sometimes, an expensive barrel doesn’t always mean it is better than the other.
Our Team's Selection Process
Overall Performance
The only way to gauge the overall performance of these carbon fiber barrels is to take them to the firing range and try them ourselves. We separately rated the features to avoid clouding our judgment. We also had a validation team purposely fact-check the results to ensure their reliability.
Weapon Compatibility
We always check the stock, load/rounds, muzzle, and weapon compatibility of these CF barrels. Thus, we installed them on various firearms and checked their compatibility by doing a firing test. This way, we could see the difference in their capabilities depending on the firearms we have used.
Product Quality
Product quality may become tricky at some point. Therefore, when we tested these products, we made sure that we used the same environment, gear, scenario, and set of shooters. We also considered the customer feedback of each company that we have gathered while researching these products.
What’s Our Choice as the #1 Carbon Fiber Barrel?
Based on the tests and research conducted, our choice as the #1 carbon fiber barrel is the Proof Research PR10 Carbon Fiber Barrel. This barrel uses cutting-edge components and a unique manufacturing process with advanced technology.
It is super lightweight, improves temperature depletion, and provides extreme precision. It is also exceptionally durable, increasing the barrel’s life. This barrel also bears no issues with stringing. And lastly, it is the only carbon fiber barrel accepted for military use.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Our #1 Recommendation
Proof Research PR10
- Built to precision specifications
- Lightweight while retaining precision
- Lightweight while retaining precision Accepted for military use
- Improved temperature depletion
