To Flute or not to Flute?

[Redmt]

I was scanning the Internet where everything is true and verified. I was reading up on fluting as a way to lighten up a heavy barrel. As I get older, lighter is better. A bunch of the rifle manufacturers sell off the shelf rifles with fluted barrels. Savage is one of them. My deceased squirrel killer buddy had a 17hmr heavy stainless barrel that was helical fluted out of the box. It was a bunch lighter than mine, so mine is out being helical fluted now. The quandary comes in as I'm reading the Shillen website where they plainly say that fluting cancels their barrel warranty. Who's got some interesting thoughts on this?

 

[Caseknife]

I have heard in the past, don't know if it is true or not, but fluting if done incorrectly will have an adverse affect on the accuracy. I would think that any good gunsmith/machinist worth his salt would know how to make uniform cuts, but it may also be affected by steel quality.

 

[Redmt]

The shop fluting my 17hmr has a very high end CNC, has been doing it for a very long time and has an excellent reputation. I think my question is why would Shillen be so opposed to fluting?

 

[MTLabrador]

If I buy a rifle with fluting from the factory I don’t have a problem with it, but I would never pay extra to have it done. The only rifle I have with fluting is my Sako Finnlight, it looks nice but it makes no real difference.

 

[Redmt]

If I buy a rifle with fluting from the factory I don’t have a problem with it, but I would never pay extra to have it done. The only rifle I have with fluting is my Sako Finnlight, it looks nice but it makes no real difference.

It'll make a difference when you get older and toting an 8# rifle around gets old.

 

[cahunter805]

If you’re looking to save a bunch of weight a short shank and smaller contour is where to start if you are rebarreling or building a rifle.
If you are trying to reduce the weight of your current barrel fluting is a good option or shortening the barrel.
I like the look of a fluted barrel so most of my rifles are fluted in either spiral or straight.

 

[Redmt]

The point of my original post was as to why Shillen, or another manufacturer, would cancel any warranty if their barrels are fluted?

 

[cahunter805]

The point of my original post was as to why Shillen, or another manufacturer, would cancel any warranty if their barrels are fluted?

There are some who say fluting can cause POI changes as the barrel heats up and some people say it causes inconsistencies in a barrels strength.

I have personally shot a barrel and developed a load. Then pulled the barrel and had it fluted. Screwed it back on and it shot exactly the same if not better in fact.

 

[Redmt]

There are some who say fluting can cause POI changes as the barrel heats up and some people say it causes inconsistencies in a barrels strength.

I have personally shot a barrel and developed a load. Then pulled the barrel and had it fluted. Screwed it back on and it shot exactly the same if not better in fact.

That's very understandable if you start with a pencil barrel and turn it into a noodle. If there's inconsistent machining done that would certainly be an issue with heat warp. I would think that a knowledgeable machinist with CNC equipment would all but eliminate any errors.

 

[Richard22]

You have to wonder how many rifle makers test the accuracy of their barrels before and after fluting. My gut is most don't but simply flute them to create a cosmetic appeal. If they would have been more accurate without fluting the world will never know. The same is true for free floating. Case in point, Weatherby doesn't free float the barrels on their Vanguard but use a pressure post to create more consistent harmonics, something they discovered through testing of the barrels on this model. Yes, free floating doesn't guarantee greater accuracy, and I suspect some barrels would be more accurate without fluting for the same reason. More consistent harmonics produces greater accuracy.

 

[kansasdad]

The shop fluting my 17hmr has a very high end CNC, has been doing it for a very long time and has an excellent reputation. I think my question is why would Shillen be so opposed to fluting?

In the dental world, every big name lecturer cautions again finishing work that another doctor started. “Once you touch it, any subsequent problems is yours” mentality.

I can see a barrel manufacturer not wanting “major” modifications done to their product. Reputations are hard to create. They want to continue to be known as a reliable barrel maker. Some other dude messes up, and Shillen is still stamped on the barrel.