The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > The Smithy

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old December 14, 2004, 01:51 AM   #1
kevhead
Junior Member
 
Join Date: December 3, 2004
Location: Southern Wisconsin
Posts: 5
Fluted Barrels

I am looking for a new rifle, and am considering a fluted stainless barrel. I am looking for any infomation regarding the pros and cons of fluting. In my mind, fluting reduces weight. It also increases surface area, which would aid in cooling, and possibly increase rigidity. Does it lend to weaker spots in the barrel? It seams as if many if not most offer fluted barrels. I believe that the military does not utilize them though, and I believe them to have good reason, but am clueless as to why. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
__________________
kevhead

Glock 21
Ruger Redhawk (.44)
Browning M-1000 Eclipse (300wm)
kevhead is offline  
Old December 14, 2004, 06:08 AM   #2
mete
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 14, 2004
Location: NY State
Posts: 6,575
Fluting does reduce weight while maintaining stiffness and some additional cooling is gained. Strength is not a problem.If the flutes are not cut carefully it will add stresses to the barrel effecting accuracy.Most think it's not worth the trouble.
mete is offline  
Old December 14, 2004, 11:43 AM   #3
bill k
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 9, 2004
Location: Dog Creek, CA
Posts: 457
"American rifleman" points out the big advantage of the Remington Sendero with the fluted barrel is you get varmit rifle accuracy in a big bore rifle. I have one in 300 ultra mag and love it.
bill k is offline  
Old December 14, 2004, 03:16 PM   #4
Jim Watson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 25, 2001
Location: Alabama
Posts: 18,486
I don't recall the article, don't follow the magnums very closely, but just how did they say the flutes helped accuracy?

Fluting reduces weight: I saw a really radical set of flutes that took off 14 ounces. Most commercial flutes are maybe 4 ounces.
Fluting adds heat transfer: Theoretically yes, but if you are shooting a good quality rifle fast enough for it to matter like a Hotchkiss' or early Thompson's fins, you are shooting way to fast.
Fluting stiffens the barrel: No. A fluted barrel is stiffer than a straight barrel of the same weight, but is not as stiff as a straight barrel of the same diameter. You cannot increase stiffness by removing steel.

A mass produced barrel, especially if made by hammer forging, has internal stresses that I would be concerned about fluting releasing unevenly, IF deep enough to have real effect on weight or surface area. Most flutes I have seen were pretty small, mostly cosmetic.
Jim Watson is offline  
Old December 14, 2004, 04:25 PM   #5
James K
Member In Memoriam
 
Join Date: March 17, 1999
Posts: 24,383
There have been several reports of Sakos and Tikkas with fluted barrels blowing up with all indications of the barrel splitting at the flutes. AFAIK, there have been no injuries, but some shooters have been a bit astonished. One picture seems to show that the thickness of the barrel in the flute, about 10 inches ahead of the chamber, was less than 2mm, a very dangerous condition. This does not mean that fluted barrels are bad, or that they are all weak or dangerous, but I would be inclined to avoid fluted barrel rifles by those makers until the situation is resolved.

Jim
James K is offline  
Old December 14, 2004, 05:31 PM   #6
dfaugh
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 17, 2002
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,715
after seeing the Sako/Tikka pictures

and reading some of the postings, about stainless metallurgy,I decided against ever having a stainless barrel, especially a fluted one. Scary stuff. and there have been some minor injuries (LUCKILY they were minor) from these guns. Pictures look like a grenade went off in the chamber.
__________________
"If you Listen to Fools, the Mob Rules"

"No one has the answer, but one thing is true.
You'e got to turn on evil, when its coming after you.
You've gotta face it down,and when it tries to hide,
you've got to go in after it, and never be denied.
Time is running out...Let's roll.
Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for love.
We're going after satan, on the wings of a dove.
Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for truth.
Let's not let our children grow up fearful in their youth."
dfaugh is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.05328 seconds with 10 queries