Hey all,

So, I'm considering building out an ultra-lightweight 10/22 for speed steel, and I was hoping to get feedback from everyone on the various carbon fiber barrel options.

Goals - ultra lightweight (less than 2 lbs), bentz chamber for match-ish accuracy, durable enough to take a little abuse, and it does need to look good. Also, no longer than 18.5".

These are what I've found thus far:

• Proof Research - https://proofresearch.com/barrels/ruger-pre-fit/ - Looks to have a street price of around $550
• Volquartsen Ultralite - https://volquartsen.com/products/1143-ultralite-barrels - Looks to have a street price of around $350
• Volquartsen Lightweight THM Tension Barrel - https://volquartsen.com/departments/barrels-for-1022/products/546-lightweight-tension-barrels - lots of options for length and accessories, looks like a street price of around $400
• Grey Birch Solutions Shrike Carbon Fiber Barrel- https://www.greybirchsolutions.com/carbon-fiber-barrels - Just one sku, but the carbon fiber looks cool, around $400. Comes from Snow Mexico
• Dlask Arms Carbon Fiber Barrel - https://dlaskarms.com/product/dlask-arms-barrel-for-10-22-carbon-fiber-various-lengths/ - Looks like $350 or so, also made by the Snow Mexicans
• Summit Precision - https://summit-precision.com/shop/ols/products - they look good, and the price is good at $235, but I've honestly never heard of them before
• Magnum Research Magnum Lite Graphite Barrel - https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/barrels/magnum-research-22lr-magnum-lite-graphite-barrel.asp - Looks like about $270, and their rifles have a pretty good reputation, but I don't know anyone who's bought just a barrel

So, with that list in mind....

First off, am I missing anything? Is there some secret, underground, fight-club style barrelmaker out there with a great carbon fiber offering for the 10/22 market?

Second, if you've tried one or more of these, I'd love to hear about your experiences, good and bad both. I'm a reasonable competent gunsmith, so I'm not to worried about the mechanical side of the build, but I would love to hear about accuracy, issues, etc.

Third, I've never done a carbon fiber barrel before. Is there anything to watch out for? Tips and tricks?

Forth, have I lost my mind on this?

Any thoughts or feedback would be great, thanks!

2lbs and durable...

I've got several builds using Volquartsen THM barrels that I built back in the day..but I think the stocks weigh 2lbs

and a couple that are still in the parts gathering phase....which has been slowed to a crawl with the covid thing

but if I were looking for lightweight barrels today I would save some $$ by going with the KIDD for $185 ....sadly not carbon fiber but cheaper than the Volquartsen

 

2lbs and durable...

Under 2 lbs is for just the barrel. I could likely find a way to get the whole rifle assembly close to that weight , but that'd just be... too light. No real return on losing that much weight.

but if I were looking for lightweight barrels today I would save some $$ by going with the KIDD for $185 ....sadly not carbon fiber but cheaper than the Volquartsen

Why the Kidd over a carbon fiber tensioned barrel? Is is that much better?

 

I'm running the Kidd lite weight on my steel gun can't beat it for the money, mine will put 10 rds of CCI std into 1/2" at 50 yrds.

 

I had a dog named Moot. And a Cat named Point. Not at the same time , though.

 

You’re missing the lightest barrel made, the Beyer Ultralight. It weighs 12ish ounces and fits the Ruger cheap plastic stock to keep weight down.

 

You're missing the lightest barrel made, the Beyer Ultralight. It weighs 12ish ounces and fits the Ruger cheap plastic stock to keep weight down.

Does nobody like Whistle Pig barrels? They're pretty dang light, about 1oz per inch. Just my two pennies...

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I just can't get myself to buy an aluminum tenoned barrel over one made from steel, preferably stainless

I believe both the Beyers and the Whistlepig barrels are aluminum

 

Keystone Arms makes one, it might be under their Revolution brand.

There is a gun shop in North Dakota that sells them on ebay. I’ve talked to him a few times but not ordered one yet. He’ll custom make it for you.

 

Keystone Arms makes one, it might be under their Revolution brand.

There is a gun shop in North Dakota that sells them on ebay. I've talked to him a few times but not ordered one yet. He'll custom make it for you.

To clarify, these are two different companies/barrels. The Keystone might be discontinued as it is no longer listed on their website.

 

I've got a Summit Precision barrel. It's very accurate. You would be happy with it. My friends went with Kidd lightweight barrels, we decided to build lightweight 10/22s at the same time. They're very happy with their choice also. The Kidd barrel is lighter than the SP barrel but not by much because it's 2" shorter.

I'd say either brand would fit your needs.

 

Does nobody like Whistle Pig barrels? They’re pretty dang light, about 1oz per inch. Just my two pennies...


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I have volquartsen, magnum research, and pws. As well as some named aluminum barrels.

I do prefer the volquartsen for accuracy over the magnum research but my guess is its more related to weight as the 13 oz magnum research is just hard to hold steady. Volquartsen at 350 would be a hard sell, mine were when they were under 220$ The kidd is a pretty bargin for money, it shoots really well under 200$

 

Many CF barrel builds under my belt

I saw this older thread, I have always liked CF barrels, restocked many back in the day, mostly centerfire. They have always had mixed feedback, but they do shoot. Just thought I would check in.

On .22's I prefer the Magnum Research simply because they always shot so good, with most ammo. The upside and down side of the rig is the lightness. Depending on stock, they can be so light they are difficult to hold on target, great to carry though. I have sold all the CF 22's I have owned except a Ruger Charger which I have great fondness. It has a early Magnum barrel shortened to 10.5" and one of our old stocks, tricked action. Fun little weapon.

 

I think a questions you should ask is -- will the end result be reliable? If the rifle you build does not run VERY well, it will not be a good rifle for competitive steel shooting. Lightweight is great, but reliability wins matches. I shoot Volquartsen rifles in steel challenge competitions- not the lightest rifle by far, but they run very well. Good luck with your choices, but make sure you keep the reliability factor in mind.

 

I think a questions you should ask is -- will the end result be reliable?

No, I agree for sure. I'm a reasonably skilled gunsmith, but I'm sure not making my own carbon fiber barrels. I'm comfortable cutting down an all-steel barrel, but with the value of my time, plus the cost of acquiring the barrel, plus the tooling costs, plus the refinishing... it's better for me to buy than to build from scratch.

Your going to find a lot of people who have different brands of accurate lightweight barrels, but the Kidd ULW is probably the most consistently accurate lightweight barrel.

This is the kind of info I'm after, thanks!

How accurate are you trying to be? I mean Clint Beyer just guaranteed me 1/2" at 50m out of a 6" charger barrel. I mean if it's just weight and shooting Speed Steel then you can't go wrong with Beyer or Feddersen and the price is around 200 instead of 350 plus. Just my two pennies...

A 1/2" at 50m is great for a barrel in a fixture, but I need something that will conform to local rules, plus allows for speed. I've never bought a Beyer barrel, so I don't know anything about them. I've bought 2 Feddersen barrels - one was great, the other was meh. Neither were lightweight.

 

I've got PWS barrels that I'll never give up!

 

don't they use that chunky looking carbon, instead of a nice weave though?

 

Yes they use "chopper" instead of "woven" glass but I didn't buy it for the look, I only care about the weight and the performance.

 

Does it stay consistent during the sustained fire as heat builds?

 

Your going to find a lot of people who have different brands of accurate lightweight barrels, but the Kidd ULW is probably the most consistently accurate lightweight barrel.

 

How accurate are you trying to be? I mean Clint Beyer just guaranteed me 1/2" at 50m out of a 6" charger barrel. I mean if it's just weight and shooting Speed Steel then you can't go wrong with Beyer or Feddersen and the price is around 200 instead of 350 plus. Just my two pennies...

 

My Magnum Research consistently shoots less than 1/2" from the bench at 50 yards with Eley Force or Eley Edge. It didn't like SK Long Range Match.

I competed in the Lapua Rimfire challenge and achieved hits out to 300 yards with this barrel. I did buy the complete rifle and have it in an ArchAngel Precision stock.

 

I've got several lightweight barrels, but only one carbon fiber one - the Summit Precision. Mine is a custom 10" one on a Charger, but it still shoots like you would expect from something with "Precision" in the name. It was plenty accurate for hitting steel with a red dot, but I mounted a Vortex 6-18x44 recently, just so I could see what it's really capable of. After clearing a KYL rack down to the 1/4 plate at 35 yards, I realized it's probably more accurate than I'm capable of shooting. I'll push my KYL out to 50 yards next outing, if I can find someone with better eyes than me. But so far, it's a winner.

 

If it was my money I’d go with a kidd LW or ULW. To me the performance is equal to the vq, although I think the vq looks better. The beyer is a good little barrel too. Shoots really well, I gave it to my dad and he loves it.

Kidd is just hands down probably my favorite go to for 10/22 parts. Wish they would make a sporter barrel but that’s a different subject.

Iron

 

Check Joe Bob Outfitters. I recently bought one of the tensions Volquartsen barrels there for $279.

Edit: $306 from the JoeBobs site
https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Vo...ers.com/Volquartsen-10-22-22-LR-Carbon-Fiber-THM-Tension-B-p/vol-vc10thm-ct.htm

$279 shipped on eBay, also from JoeBobs
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Volquartse...28-Threads/222356125538?epid=16033520641&hash=item33c5753762:g:euwAAOSwEzxYXsy7

 

Speed steel gun

I have a Tactical Solutions 16" .920 bull aluminum barrel on my 1022 Target. It cut about 2 lbs off the weight of the gun. With peep sights (no scope or red dot), aluminum barrel and everything else stock, the gun weighs in at about 5 lbs. It points well, swings nicely and is very accurate. I don't think anything lighter would shoot as well. Plus, with the Ruger wood stock and open sights, I can shoot it in the stock rifle class or in the unlimited class. Just something to think about!

 

Please check out the Tac Sol SBX!

 

The SB-X trades accuracy for weight loss. Not a bad barrel, but there are certainly more accurate ways to cut weight.

 

I have to totally disagree. I have the SBX and have had it for
several years. It is as accurate at the VC carbon barrel. I have used
it for steel challenge, hunting, and plinking---sadly not benchrest!

 

You're welcome to disagree, but you have a sample of one. I read some unflattering reviews of them before buying mine. Not everyone has gotten tack-driving performance from theirs.

 

My 2 cents. Save your cash and get a lightweight aluminum barrel. Same concept as the CF. (Same weight essentially, both are sleeved barrels) with the savings get better optics.

 

I prefer the SS tenons on the carbon fiber barrels to aluminum tenons

 

in top tier lightweight barrels, I'd say KIDD and Volquartsen are pretty equal in accuracy, and in my eyes the KIDD ULW barrel only gives up in the looks department to the Volquartsen THM, but KIDD has a better price..so if you can live without the look of a carbon sleeve, go KIDD and save some $$...if not go with the Volquartsen

and stop worrying about a few ounces one way or the other

 

I am in the process of testing a Summit Precision barrel, since Matt's goal was to provide Volquartsen accuracy at more affordable pricing (plus awesome color options). But I do agree that the KIDD ULW is hard to beat. My KIDD with a CST receiver now sits in a KRG Bravo, and I'm sure it's more accurate than I can shoot, but also quite accurate with just about any ammo that's not cheap bulk. That is what impresses me the most.

 

My 2 cents is get a Proof Research carbon fiber. It will pretty much smoke everything else. I have 3 of them, and they are my 3 best shooting barrels out of 20+.

 

do you have a link? the only thing I could find quickly had a barrel priced at $680 apiece, which is just insane

 

I did a build using the Tac Sol fluted barrel, 11.8 Oz, Magpul X22 stock, Ruger receiver and bolt, Bushnell scope. Total weight is 4.8 is. Objective was a sub-5 lbs.