barrel fluting?

[barnetmill]

My gunsmith is a big proponent of fluting barrels. I can see no advantage other than making a barrel somewhat lighter and making it cool faster.

Are there any articles or other literature that explains what the advantages are that someone can point me towards?

Thanks

 

[Jim Watson]

It looks kewl and Bad-A and is money for old rope to somebody set up to do the work efficiently.
Otherwise I think you have it pretty well pinned down.

A fluted barrel is more rigid than a straight barrel of the same cross-sectional area. It is NOT more rigid than a barrel of the same diameter without flutes.
Yawn.

 

[dfaugh]

Jims got it right...

If you look at the amount of material removed, the weight reduction is minimal, and the small amount of surface area you gain, isn't gonna make it cool all that much faster. Pretty much, though not entirely, a gimmick.

Also, do it to a barrel after production/finishing, MIGHT (small chance) induce/allow some stresses, that might affect accuracy when heating up, especially if not done absolutely symmetrically. Probably depends on whether they really know what they are doing.

 

[barnetmill]

Jim Watson you answered one of doubts about stiffness. I guess per pound a fluted barrel is stiffer, but not compared to the same barrel before it was fluted.

I remember some years ago Alan my gunsmith tried to return a 25-06 barrel he had threaded, chambered, and fluted back to Douglas barrel since it was not shooting as well as he expected and he thought that there was a part of the bore that was not perfect. They refused and he got a fairly nasty reply back complaining about some the things that he had done to the barrel. He of course was very insulted.

His other guns that he built were good and so I do not know who or what was at fault.
Our project plan was to make a switch barrel rifle in .458 mag and .264 mag. on a mark ten magnum Mauser action. We have the unfinished barrels and action. I am not sure if I now want a .264 mag since it is practically an obsolete caliber.

 

[45crittergitter]

Technically, the stiffness is related more to the axis of inertia rather than the cross sectional area, but you have the general idea. Taking a particular barrel and cutting flutes in it does make it less stiff.