To Flute or not to Flute?

[Redmt]

For weight saving ya can't beat a hacksaw. 16 or 18 inch barrel does well, but the projectiles slows down somewhat.

Yeh it probably does something ugly for accuracy too.

 

[kiwi hunter]

Yeh it probably does something ugly for accuracy too.

Nz is way out in front on chopping barrels, it actually improves accuracy, less harmonics less whip, try it you'll love it.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Remington Sendero has been fluted barrel for 25+ years and are known for great accuracy out of the box. I have Gen 1 300 Mag 26" straight fluted SS barrel with 1600 rds and still shoots sub MOA. Treat barrels right and they can last lot longer than most realize.

 

[Ballistic]

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?

Do you want interesting thoughts or wisdom? Shilen barrels are button rifled so fluting, contouring, threading, any exterior cutting needs to be done BEFORE it is rifled. This is why you don't get technical information form web forums and social media.

 

[Redmt]

Do you want interesting thoughts or wisdom? Shilen barrels are button rifled so fluting, contouring, threading, any exterior cutting needs to be done BEFORE it is rifled. This is why you don't get technical information form web forums and social media.

I'm guessing you didn't read into the sarcasm about the Internet. Technical information needs to come from the manufacturer and HT is as close as I come to social media. That was interesting though about all machine work needs to be completed prior to rifling. Another tidbit of information that I will store away.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Do you want interesting thoughts or wisdom? Shilen barrels are button rifled so fluting, contouring, threading, any exterior cutting needs to be done BEFORE it is rifled. This is why you don't get technical information from web forums and social media.

My understanding is that most button rifled barrels are rifled, stress relieved, and then contoured. Is that not the case? They are definitely chambered and muzzle threaded after the stress relief.

 

[BAKPAKR]

My understanding is that most button rifled barrels are rifled, stress relieved, and then contoured. Is that not the case? They are definitely chambered and muzzle threaded after the stress relief.

From the Hart barrel site:

 

[mtmuley]

I would say fluting is a waste of money but Ballistic would scold me. mtmuley

 

[Potsie]

I would say fluting is a waste of money but Ballistic would scold me. mtmuley

Some of it does look cool though. But functionally, waste of money.

 

[mtmuley]

Some of it does look cool though. But functionally, waste of money.

Harleys stainless fluted Remington is gorgeous. One of the best looking production rifles out there. mtmuley

 

[Ballistic]

Remington Sendero has been fluted barrel for 25+ years and are known for great accuracy out of the box. I have Gen 1 300 Mag 26" straight fluted SS barrel with 1600 rds and still shoots sub MOA. Treat barrels right and they can last lot longer than most realize.

T

My understanding is that most button rifled barrels are rifled, stress relieved, and then contoured. Is that not the case? They are definitely chambered and muzzle threaded after the stress relief.

Chambering doesn't matter because the cutting is on the inside of the barrel. Threading and fluting are a problem because it will cause loose areas in the bore. Threading in particular after is the cause of a lot more accuracy issues than fluting ever did because the bore will open at the end of the bullet path. Some advanced gunsmiths are cutting deep recessed crowns effectively reducing barrel length if threading is dome. This is immaterial with a cut rifle barrel because there is no stress induced in fluting. In fact, the steel is stress relieved before fluting.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

T

Chambering doesn't matter because the cutting is on the inside of the barrel. Threading and fluting are a problem because it will cause loose areas in the bore. Threading in particular after is the cause of a lot more accuracy issues than fluting ever did because the bore will open at the end of the bullet path. Some advanced gunsmiths are cutting deep recessed crowns effectively reducing barrel length if threading is dome. This is immaterial with a cut rifle barrel because there is no stress induced in fluting. In fact, the steel is stress relieved before fluting.

So if a cut rifle barrel is stress relieved before rifling is cut because cutting the rifling doesn’t induce stress and a button rifled barrel is stress relieved after rifling, shouldn’t they both be free of stresses when it comes time to contour, chamber, thread, and flute? Are the stresses not fully relieved from the button rifling process or what’s the deal?

I’ve read the accurate shooter articles about belling at the muzzle when there are muzzle threads. Maybe my expectations aren’t high enough but I’ve had enough muzzle threaded barrels that shoot as good as I can.

 

[Ballistic]

I would say fluting is a waste of money but Ballistic would scold me. m

So if a cut rifle barrel is stress relieved before rifling is cut because cutting the rifling doesn’t induce stress and a button rifled barrel is stress relieved after rifling, shouldn’t they both be free of stresses when it comes time to contour, chamber, thread, and flute? Are the stresses not fully relieved from the button rifling process or what’s the deal?

I’ve read the accurate shooter articles about belling at the muzzle when there are muzzle threads. Maybe my expectations aren’t high enough but I’ve had enough muzzle threaded barrels that shoot as good as I can.

It's a great question really, but one better suited for Gordy Gritters.