barell fluting
- Thread starter hotdog
- Start date
I have not had it done, but if it costs very much I don't think it would be worth the money. At the same time though a pound difference in a rifle's weight is not an issue to me. I haven't found it to make that big of a difference, even when carrying a rifle for an extended period of time.
dtech
New member
Probably 95% of the barrels that I sell go out fluted. JD is correct, it drops about a pound, depending on barrel-length. Less than a pound for a 16", more than a pound for a 24". With an AR, it's not just the fact that you have lost a pound, it's the fact that the pound is gone from the front of the gun.
An un-fluted 22" bull barrel AR is not a well balanced piece in my opinion. Now flute that same barrel, and it makes a very nice gun to carry and swing.
An un-fluted 22" bull barrel AR is not a well balanced piece in my opinion. Now flute that same barrel, and it makes a very nice gun to carry and swing.
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
I've had two that were fluted. One a DPMS .308 that I doubt that the fluting made that much difference in weight (13.5-14# with scope and bipod).
My .223 may be a little lighter than a stock bull barrel. I do think it allows the barrel to cool a little faster, simply because there is more surface area for air to hit.
Supposedly, there is less vibration effect in a fluted barrel, or at least, a different type of harmonic.
I have a 22" bull barrel on my .204 that is unfluted and a 20" bull barrel on my .223 that is fluted. While there might be a difference if put on a scale, I can't tell any difference just by picking them up.
In answer to your original question...IMHO, it's not worth the expense for making it lighter, however for cooling effect, looking 'cool', and resale value (should that be necessary), I think it's a good investment.
My .223 may be a little lighter than a stock bull barrel. I do think it allows the barrel to cool a little faster, simply because there is more surface area for air to hit.
Supposedly, there is less vibration effect in a fluted barrel, or at least, a different type of harmonic.
I have a 22" bull barrel on my .204 that is unfluted and a 20" bull barrel on my .223 that is fluted. While there might be a difference if put on a scale, I can't tell any difference just by picking them up.
In answer to your original question...IMHO, it's not worth the expense for making it lighter, however for cooling effect, looking 'cool', and resale value (should that be necessary), I think it's a good investment.
jdunham
Member
I had my Ruger 77/22 Hornet rebarreled to 17 Ackley Hornet. Went from a 24 to a 22 inch barrel with fluting on the new barrel. To reduce the weight and because I have always wanted one fluted. It definately made for a lighter rig, between the 2" less barrel and the fluting and balaces perfectly and happens to be very sharp. Up to you whether it is worth the extra $100 or so.
knockemdown
New member
+100%
Its all about the balance of the gun!
Its all about the balance of the gun!
Orneryolfart357
New member
Doesent fluting the Barrel, add ridgitity to the barrel as well ?
Jack Roberts
Moderator - Deceased
Quote:
Doesent fluting the Barrel, add ridgitity to the barrel as well ?
No. A common misconception. A fluted barrel is more rigid per pound than a non fluted barrel. But fluting a barrel always makes it less rigid than the unfluted barrel.
Jack
Doesent fluting the Barrel, add ridgitity to the barrel as well ?
No. A common misconception. A fluted barrel is more rigid per pound than a non fluted barrel. But fluting a barrel always makes it less rigid than the unfluted barrel.
Jack
Orneryolfart357
New member
Quote:
Quote:
Doesent fluting the Barrel, add ridgitity to the barrel as well ?
No. A common misconception. A fluted barrel is more rigid per pound than a non fluted barrel. But fluting a barrel always makes it less rigid than the unfluted barrel.
Jack
Hmm... Interesting Jack, Im sure I read an article somewhere that explained how it stiffens the barrel, something about that by fluting it adds more surface area to the barrel? But could have been just one guys opinion.. Thanks for the Info..
Quote:
Doesent fluting the Barrel, add ridgitity to the barrel as well ?
No. A common misconception. A fluted barrel is more rigid per pound than a non fluted barrel. But fluting a barrel always makes it less rigid than the unfluted barrel.
Jack
Hmm... Interesting Jack, Im sure I read an article somewhere that explained how it stiffens the barrel, something about that by fluting it adds more surface area to the barrel? But could have been just one guys opinion.. Thanks for the Info..
Tarry
New member
I would think.... dangerous word there specially when I'm attempting it, that a barrel would be alike any other metal. It become stronger anytime it is bent along it longest axis. Fluting should create 3 bends per flute, the top two ridges and the bottom cove.
As I said I am thinking and could easily be wrong.
As I said I am thinking and could easily be wrong.
Quote:
Quote:
Doesent fluting the Barrel, add ridgitity to the barrel as well ?
No. A common misconception. A fluted barrel is more rigid per pound than a non fluted barrel. But fluting a barrel always makes it less rigid than the unfluted barrel.
Jack
Well said and accurate statement. Might help clarify to those still unclear though if you added the words "...of the same diameter." at the end of the sentence.
When comparing fluted to unfluted barrels of the same weight some people might not stop to think that to have the same weight a fluted barrel must be larger in diameter than the un-fluted barrel, thereby giving more rigidity. It is the larger diameter that increases rigidity, not fluting.
Quote:
Doesent fluting the Barrel, add ridgitity to the barrel as well ?
No. A common misconception. A fluted barrel is more rigid per pound than a non fluted barrel. But fluting a barrel always makes it less rigid than the unfluted barrel.
Jack
Well said and accurate statement. Might help clarify to those still unclear though if you added the words "...of the same diameter." at the end of the sentence.
When comparing fluted to unfluted barrels of the same weight some people might not stop to think that to have the same weight a fluted barrel must be larger in diameter than the un-fluted barrel, thereby giving more rigidity. It is the larger diameter that increases rigidity, not fluting.
RePete
New member
I just went to Lilja and Shilen's web sites and read their opinions on fluting barrels. They're both pretty well thought of, and should know alot more about rifle barrels than most of us.
Well, Shilen has nothing good to say reguarding the subject, and voids any warranty if anyone flutes one of their barrels.
Lilja. on the other hand claims that fluting has no effect on a barrel and even offers it as an option when buying one of their barrels. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
As a side note. They both differ on the importance of barrel break-in as well. But they aren't as far apart on that as they are on fluting.
Well, Shilen has nothing good to say reguarding the subject, and voids any warranty if anyone flutes one of their barrels.
Lilja. on the other hand claims that fluting has no effect on a barrel and even offers it as an option when buying one of their barrels. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
As a side note. They both differ on the importance of barrel break-in as well. But they aren't as far apart on that as they are on fluting.
dtech
New member
Shilen doesn't offer fluting, so their policy is that if someone else flutes the barrel, the warranty would be void. This just covers them in the case that the barrel is improperly fluted. Before I started buying barrels from them last January, I asked them specifically about their fluting policy. They reassured me that if I had a barrel that didn't shoot, and I had fluted it, they WOULD warranty the barrel. They went on to say that if, after inspecting the barrel, they thought that I perhaps fluted it too deep, they would still warranty the barrel and pass along their recommendations. Very stand-up folks at Shilen.
If you think about it, would any of the gun manufacturers warranty their barrel if someone had fluted it? No, of course not. They have nothing to gain, and everything to loose by endorsing any modifications to their "stock" product.
Since last January, I have purchased 138 Shilen barrels, fluted most of them, and had zero problems.
If you think about it, would any of the gun manufacturers warranty their barrel if someone had fluted it? No, of course not. They have nothing to gain, and everything to loose by endorsing any modifications to their "stock" product.
Since last January, I have purchased 138 Shilen barrels, fluted most of them, and had zero problems.
RePete
New member
Mike
I have no reason to doubt you, and I know that your rifles shoot as good as any and better than most.
I was just repeating what I read on their web-site.
The web-site is more than adament about their views and policies on fluting.
I just found it interesting and passed it on.
Please don't shoot the messenger. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have no reason to doubt you, and I know that your rifles shoot as good as any and better than most.
I was just repeating what I read on their web-site.
The web-site is more than adament about their views and policies on fluting.
I just found it interesting and passed it on.
Please don't shoot the messenger. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif