Thread: fluted barrels

Are there any disavantages in having a fluted barrel? Dreaming about buying another tikka but was thinking of going fluted this time. Bit lease weight but will be suppressed

Look cool, but they don't make a lick of difference real world.

I now own 2 Tikkas, and both are fluted but it's purely because I like the way they look.

No real disadvantage, some people don't like how they get dirty in the fluted section or how they mark up on the edges of the flutes. The weight saving is pretty minimal so I would say its mostly for looks, and feel, and I like the look and feel.

100 grams sound about right? i take it little more recoil been lighter

About that, would think any increase in recoil would be negligible, more change in recoil by varying grip

Pros : Increased surface area for heat cooling, lighter barrel weight, looks cool.

Cons : cost more, no gain in accuracy, dirt mud and blood build up in the flute channels = more cleaning.

Save your money for when you wear your current barrel out and buy a custom barrel.

I always wanted one, so my new saum has flutes.

Looks cool.

As said, gets blood and shit in the grooves so needs a bit more cleaning. Still gets hot after a few shots and if it cools quicker its not noticeable. If its lighter, its only the weight of a fart.

But looks cool.

One advantage is that with a suppressor the barrel doesn't get those circular scuff marks.

Looks cool.

I would do it again.

The weight saving of a fluted barrel really only makes a difference if you go whole hog and flute/ reduce weight everywhere; bolt, rings, stock, shroud, firing pin. Then the total weight savings will be more like half a pound to a pound or more.

I think if you're getting blood stuck in your flutes, you might be a bit close to the animal when you fire...

+1 , the weight savings are not big, but depends a bit on the contour barrel you start with. Danger is if you go too deep on flutes, especially with light contour you can end up with stressed barrel that cools/heats unevenly... then you have accuracy issues and wandering groupings. Really not worth the $. Aye but look cool.

Looks real cool.

A fluted barrel of the same weight as a non fluted will be stronger due to more surface area.

If you flute a barrel to lose weight it will be weaker, you will have more surface area but it won't make up for the material lost.
Heat dispersion should be bit better on a fluted barrel, but I don't know if that would be enough of a reason to chose one.

In my opinion a factory one should have no real disadvantage, if I liked how it looked I'd go for it.
I would not have a gunsmith flute one for me because I think you would lose more than you gain.

Actually it will be stronger if the same weight due to the larger diameter.
Dan Lija writes about it here http://riflebarrels.com/fluting/
Digging further into his website he also has an Excel calculator which can be used to work out the weight difference fluted/non fluted.

Some smiths are reluctant to flute (or just plain will not) due to the potential for releasing inherant barrel stresses and subsequent loss of accuracy. Button rifling creates those stresses whilst single cut rifling (Kreiger, Bartlein etc) have very low stresses.

Originally Posted by zimmer

Actually it will be stronger if the same weight due to the larger diameter.

Yes, that's what I meant to say.
I think the extra surface area helps with strength aswell.

Basically you can not gain strength by removing material, but it can be gained by moving that material to a different location.