Barrel fluting?

[Wapinschaw]

How much weight can fluting remove from a 20" sporter profile barrel? I'm considering a number of options for a Sako 75 which include a new barrel and trading in for a new rifle. All input is welcome!

[Andrew]

If weight reduction is your goaf, probably not enough to make it worth the expense. A few ounces maybe. Cheaper to exercise and condition yourself for the weight. ~Andrew

[TJC]

Accuracy International did a lot of research on this and concluded it negatively impacts accuracy.

[Chris-NZ]

For a short sporter-weight bbl, does the term "2/3 of 5/8 of.." mean anything?

 

Very different if you've got a 30+" true heavy bbl.

[borbal]

Accuracy International did a lot of research on this and concluded it negatively impacts accuracy.

We (Border Barrels) made thousands and thousands of fluted barrels for AI and this is the first I heard of this.

 

However, there is no doubt that fluting can and will negatively impact on accuracy unless is is done at the right stage of manufacturing. For the best results, fluted barrels should be cut rifled. The barrel can then be bore-reamed, rifled and lapped after contouring and fluting, and there will be no detriment on accuracy. For button rifled barrels it is a bit more difficult as you have to rifle before contouring and fluting. But if the barrel steel is fully stress relieved after button rifling and is lapped after fluting, you can get good results. As for fluting hammer-forged barrels (Sako, Tikka) - forget it!

[Chanonry]

I loved my Sako 75 but other than bedding (and a pic rail) if you want something markedly different you will be better off trading it either for something that is exactly what you want or a rifle that has better aftermarket options

[meles meles]

The work done by AI followed on from some research done during the CHARM programme to enhance the capabilities of the Challenger tank's rifle. Suffice it to say that no tanks have their barrels fluted, be they rifled or smoothbore. AI conducted research of their own to find if the same effects applied to smallbores and found they did. The effects were small, but measureable and demonstrable though they probably wouldn't be noticed by the typical user. Borbal's comments are valid: the effects upon accuracy can be minimised (but not completely eliminated) if the fluting is done on a stress relieved, cut barrel. For accuracy, a cold swaged or correctly hammer forged barrel is the way to go.*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Steps smartly back, dons flak jacket.

[gbal]

Improved precision from fluting seem unlikely (ie intrinsically les projectile dispersion) in a rifle,and is seldom claimed,even less seldom found.

Improved accuracy (shooters ability to utilise such small dispersion and hit POA) might just be.This would derive from better 'handling' characteristics eg lighter /better balanced,and therefore small unless the unfluted rifle were rather cumbersome.

 

Barrel cooling, and so some positive effects on accuracy in string fire,(actually slower dispersion) can be achieved,but there is a complex trade off here-while a fluted barrel can have more surface area,promoting cooling,it has neccessarily less metal,so actually heats up a bit more,or rather faster. It's quite a complicated calculation balancing these two opposing factors-and otheres- wrt 'accuracy'....good luck with than one on a sporter weight barrel especially.

 

Fluting has undeniable potential for lightening a barrel,as metal is removed. Maybe not a lot,especially in a sporter weight/length barrel. More 'whippy'-I think we are getting into asymptote land-very very small effects especially over live quarry ranges-where a lighter carry rifle might be prefered.

 

And finally,last and least wrt performance-aesthetics...if bling is your thing,indulge-but remember,it's all in the eye of the beholder!

Nobody ...yet...has thought to stud in diamonds etc....or pearls...the world is your crustacean here (but cf pistols)

 

:-)

g*b*a*l*

[meles meles]

 

And finally,last and least wrt performance-aesthetics...if bling is your thing,indulge-but remember,it's all in the eye of the beholder!

Nobody ...yet...has thought to stud in diamonds etc....or pearls...the world is your crustacean here (but cf pistols)

 

:-)

g*b*a*l*

 

 

Actually, we have seen a rifle, a double rifle, studded with diamonds (and rubies). It looked, shall we say, rather naff... We don't imagine it's ever been shot.

[gbal]

Actually, we have seen a rifle, a double rifle, studded with diamonds (and rubies). It looked, shall we say, rather naff... We don't imagine it's ever been shot.

Ah yes,but with Fluted barrels, Diamanté encrusted....?

 

...(preferably reciprocating helical spiral paradox effect...regulated for 100yards -metres if the gentleman is European).

Ruby dot front sight is rather a good idea-but not too ostentatious-neeed to see the tusker,not obscure it.

 

g