Army Explores Lighter Barrels for Sniper Rifles

[i8godzilla]

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stor ... er-rifles/

“The barrel hardware shall be composed of materials other than commonly used barrel materials (i.e. stainless or chrome moly),” they added. “Applicable technologies/processes include, but are not limited to, carbon fiber wrapped or low density alloy composite barrels and/or new manufacturing methods that enable the use of alternative barrel alloys to reduce weight and maintain or improve barrel stiffness.”

Does anyone make a carbon fiber barrel today? I know that the Formula 1 race circuit has moved to carbon fiber brakes that hold up to the heat and abuse. The question would be how it would hold up as a rifle barrel.

[74novaman]

Barrels don't just have heat stress, but extreme pressure stress. I'm not sure cf is up to the job.

[Pug]

I dunno about that...

I've had the opportunity to shoot a Ruger 10-22 equipped with the Magnum Research graphite carbon fiber barrel (don't know what they call it). It was considerably lighter that mine and dead on accurate... I know that a .22 rimfire is hardly a sniper ifle, but the principle is there.

[74novaman]

Upon reading, they did say cf wrapped, not made entirely of cf so I have to revise my statement and concede it's possible.

[Zoomie72]

Sounds cool to me. Composites are certainly up to the task, but there is a lot of difficulty in fabrication and design. The cost may not be worth it, and a lot of the people with rifle experience dont have composite experience and vice versa

[CaptWoodrow10]

From what I've read and heard, they are a lighter alternative to the normal "bull" barrel usually adorning modern precision rifles. I believe that the carbon fiber material is stiffer than a normal bull barrel, and it dissipates heat better. Both attributes aid in accuracy to some extent. I don't know what their durability is like though. I'm not really an expert in carbon fiber tech though.

[alvins]

i think the whole carbot fiber thing is overhyped.

[Rex B]

I can appreciate where they are going though.
I bought a 24" bull-barrel upper for my AR, and that thing is seriously HEAVY

[threoh8]

I'm surprised they didn't mention putting thin barrels in tension. This has been done with exteral rods - Walther WA2000- and with sleeves of various materials (Dan Wesson revolvers, Volquartsen 10/22 barrels, etc).