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Carbon Fiber Barrel and Handguard

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9 years 1 month ago - 9 years 1 month ago #46034 by JustMe
Carbon Fiber Barrel and Handguard was created by JustMe
Finally received all the parts to assemble my new Christensen Arms CA-10 carbon fiber barrel and carbon fiber handguard. Also installed an adjustable gas block incase I decide to add a suppressor. The barrel weighs about 4-5 lbs less than my AR-10T stainless bull barrel, but I didn't think to weigh the difference between the aluminum and carbon fiber handguards. I stood on the bathroom scale and picked up each barrel to see the difference in weight and that's why I said about 4-5 lbs. You can definitely feel the weight difference when I pick up the rifle now. Had to order new accessory mounts because the handguard went from Armalite's attachment slots to the keymod system. Grrrr, more money down the toilet.

Now I need to find a break from my major home remodeling effort to break in the new barrel and work up some loads. It went from a 1:11.25 twist to a 1:10 twist and from a 20" to 18" barrel.

Here's a picture of it sans the accessories which are on order, sights, etc.

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Last edit: 9 years 1 month ago by JustMe.
The following user(s) said Thank You: jtallen83, Libertarian623

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9 years 1 month ago #46035 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Carbon Fiber Barrel and Handguard
Look forward to the range report!
How is the balance with the PRS stock now?

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9 years 1 month ago - 9 years 1 month ago #46037 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Carbon Fiber Barrel and Handguard
PRS stock makes it a little butt heavy, but I still think I prefer the overall weight reduction to a little imbalance. Once I put a 5-10 round mag in it, the balance will probably change the feel some more either better or worse.

It would be nice if I could find another lighter butt stock that is fully adjustable in length and cheek height like this PRS. I like to adjust the length depending on how many layers of hunting clothes I'm wearing and adjust the cheek height depending on whether I'm using a daylight scope or night vision scope.
Last edit: 9 years 1 month ago by JustMe.

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9 years 1 month ago #46042 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Carbon Fiber Barrel and Handguard
Check out the Luth-AR stock, all the features with much less weight. They have been using them in 3 gun competition and ArmaLite sells some factory models with it now.

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9 years 1 month ago #46047 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Carbon Fiber Barrel and Handguard
Thanks JT. That definitely looks promising if I end up not liking my current rifle balance.

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9 years 1 month ago #46101 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Carbon Fiber Barrel and Handguard
Installed a Leopold scope and the balance seems about perfect now. I can hold the rifle by only the pistol grip and it's neither barrel heavy nor butt heavy. Hope to make it to the range to break in the barrel and then start shooting for accuracy. Still working on my home remodeling, so no time for the range yet. Sure is a bad itch.

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9 years 1 month ago #46196 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Carbon Fiber Barrel and Handguard
Was able to hit the range on Sunday to break in the barrel. Shot 20 rounds cleaning between each shot and then shot 4 5-round mags cleaning between each mag. Used 147gr ZQi, 7.62x51. It didn't like this ammo and shot a 2 inch group at 50 yards. Ammo fed well and no jams. There wasn't much brass deposited, but there was a lot of black powder residue, much more than when using Varget, etc. I think the 147grs is too light for this 1:10 twist barrel. Now I need to try some heavier bullets and do some reloading. The barrel stayed very cool. It was 81F out.
The following user(s) said Thank You: jtallen83

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