The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Free-float the barrel of a Weatherby Vanguard 2

Bart B. · December 14, 2013, 05:10 PM

Josh, fluting a barrel makes it less stiff. Metal's been removed that made it as stiff as before fluting. It's like replacing every other 2x6 in a patio deck with a 2x4. Check out the following:

http://www.snipercountry.com/article...relfluting.asp

However, barrels of equal length and weight, one fluted and the other one plain, the fluted one's stiffer. It's got more metal further away from its center to resist bending.

Regarding those benchrest rifles with floating actions and the barrel gripped by something, that's been the standard for rail guns for decades. Sierra Bullets has used them since the '50's to test their bullets for accuracy because they want to eliminate all variables in the action and stock. They ride on a 3-point suspension rail. Some shoulder fired match rifles back in the early '70's have had their barrels clamped or epoxied in an 8" long aluminum block epoxy bedded in the stock's fore end. The action free floated in the stock with about 1/10th inch clearance all around it. Didn't shoot any more accurate than conventional epoxy bedding of just the receiver.

December 14, 2013, 05:10 PM	#36
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Josh, fluting a barrel makes it less stiff. Metal's been removed that made it as stiff as before fluting. It's like replacing every other 2x6 in a patio deck with a 2x4. Check out the following: http://www.snipercountry.com/article...relfluting.asp However, barrels of equal length and weight, one fluted and the other one plain, the fluted one's stiffer. It's got more metal further away from its center to resist bending. Regarding those benchrest rifles with floating actions and the barrel gripped by something, that's been the standard for rail guns for decades. Sierra Bullets has used them since the '50's to test their bullets for accuracy because they want to eliminate all variables in the action and stock. They ride on a 3-point suspension rail. Some shoulder fired match rifles back in the early '70's have had their barrels clamped or epoxied in an 8" long aluminum block epoxy bedded in the stock's fore end. The action free floated in the stock with about 1/10th inch clearance all around it. Didn't shoot any more accurate than conventional epoxy bedding of just the receiver. Last edited by Bart B.; December 14, 2013 at 05:16 PM.