Building new sniper rifle, questions re: fluting barrel

[rfc2307]

Good Morning, I am building up a .338 RUM on a Remington 700 action with a Knoxx stock, and Badger Barrel. My question is about the "fluting" option. Looks nice but I keep getting competing opinions re: good or bad. Anyone out there with long range shooting experience (600 - 1K meters) with experience of an opinion?

Also, any info re: powder choices would be appreciated.

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, a gun that big, I sure don't want to take off any weight.
Fluting does not "stiffen" a barrel and I doubt it adds much radiating surface.
I'd put the money into something productive, like more scope.

 

[rfc2307]

A rockin' scope I have, a Leupold fourty power fixed. Warne removable scope mounts.

 

[GunTech]

In most cases, fluting is basically cosmetic. It does shave weight. which can be important in some applications. The question of fluted versus non-fluted has been going on for some time. A search of the web will give hundreds of sites that discuss the issue.


Here's a pretty in depth look at fluting

http://www.varmintal.com/aflut.htm

 

[USSR]

I've had two rifles built for 1,000 yard shooting, and I had both barrels fluted. Not because it looks nice; not because it supposedly dissipates heat quicker; but to put a long barrel with the largest possible contour on and balance the rifle. That, IMHO, is the only reason to flute a barrel (unless, of course, you just like the way they look).

Don

 

[Acera]

Beware of incorrect information out there.

I found this on a barrel makers website. While some of the info is correct, the part about the rigidity is incorrect. Fluted barrels are more rigid than barrels of the same weight, but less rigid than barrels of the same diameter. So if you take a barrel and flute it, it becomes less rigid that the one you had before you started. You can mess up the harmonics of a barrel real quick with fluting done incorrectly.

Q: How does fluting a barrel help?

A: Fluting reduces weight while increasing rigidity and lessening barrel vibration and whip. By exposing more exterior surface area, it also aids in cooling your barrel.

 

[mndfusion]

My gunsmith says fluting a brl. messes up the harmonics.

 

[USSR]

My gunsmith says fluting a brl. messes up the harmonics.

Your gunsmith is ignorant.

Don

 

[brianc]

Don!!!! Very funny and very true!!!!

 

[nicholst55]

"My gunsmith says fluting a brl. messes up the harmonics."

Your gunsmith doesn't flute barrels, does he?

 

[USSR]

I feel I should add, that I would only flute a barrel done by a barrelmaker who rifles his barrels using the cut rifling method. In this case, the barrel is fluted PRIOR to being reamed and rifled, and there are no bore dimension inconsistencies to contend with such as there are when button rifled barrels are fluted AFTER the barrel has been rifled.

Don