White Oak Armament 20" varmint upper--fluted or not

[Mustang51]

I went on the list for a White Oak Armaments 20" varmint upper yesterday. I need to let WOA know in the next week or two whether I want the barrel fluted or not. Cost is $100, and it shaves one-half pound off the weight of the upper.

Other than the $100, are there any downsides to fluting?

Thanks

 

[CLP]

No downsides that i'm aware of. My dad got one of their uppers and I have a service rifle upper of theirs- those guys do great work.

 

[cfullgraf]

It depends on if you plan to carry the rifle in the field.

I have a White Oak Service Rifle profile barrel. Great barrel but it can get heavy.

 

[Mustang51]

So it sounds like a straight weight for dollars trade off.

 

[MistWolf]

I would certanly want the half pound reducton un weght but flutng does more. From Varmnt Al's web page- http://varmintal.com/aflut.htm

CONCLUSION ON BARREL FLUTING....

When comparing two barrels of equal weight, length, and material but one is solid and other is fluted, the fluted barrel will have:

-A larger diameter

-Greater stiffness (depending on how the extra diameter/weight is distributed)

-Vibrate at a higher frequency (depending on how the extra diameter/ weight is distributed)

-Less muzzle sag (depending on how the extra diameter/ weight is distributed)

Fluting a solid barrel will:

-Reduce its weight

-Reduce its stiffness

-Increase its natural frequency of vibration

-Decrease its muzzle sag.

Reducing the weight of a barrel by fluting makes a stiffer barrel than reducing the weight by decreasing its diameter.

A shorter barrel of the same section, solid or fluted, will sag less and vibrate at a higher frequency

 

[Mustang51]

Thanks, wolf

 

[redneck2]

i have two AR barrels that are fluted. One is a .358 WSSM that has a bull barrel. I use it for deer hunting and had it fluted strictly for weight saving, though it's still quite heavy. Shoots .4's @ 100

The other is a Windham Bushmaster Varminter with a small diameter barrel. It is astoundingly accurate. More accurate than the .358.

I firmly believe that the quality of the barrel is more important than other factors for accuracy.