Bolt fluting, not sure I like it...

DAA

DAA

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I only own a few rifles with fluted bolts. All custom actions, where the fluted bolt was standard, not something I asked for or paid extra to get.

Always thought they looked cool. Couldn't ever think of any other reason for it to exist, still can't, but do still think they look cool.

Anyway... This morning I deep cleaned my .20-250 and put it away until next year. It's purely a coyote rifle and I'm done coyote hunting for the year.

Bolt flutes had quite a bit of fine dust and dirt gathered in them. Especially that red sandy dirt from S. Utah.

I don't think I like having dirt collectors on my bolt?

Granted, non fluted bolts get the same dirt and dust. But, only so much can collect and it's never more than a very thin dusting. Which can be wiped off in an instant, even in the field if need be. The flutes on the other hand, they can and in this case did hold a good amount of crap, by comparison. And getting it all out, while not too difficult, was never the less significantly more time consuming and PITA-ish than just wiping off a non fluted bolt.

At the end of the day, it's just no big whup, one way or the other. But thinking about it just now, I think if given the choice, I prefer an non fluted bolt for my purposes in a working rifle. Absolutely, I would not pay to have a bolt fluted.

Just random rambling...

- DAA
 
Other than the looks I always thought the purpose of the flutes was to have a place for grime to settle and possibly keep your bolt from binding. Hunting situations may not be a issue but I could see it being possible in a match where where there isn't time to clean.
 
Never shot a match. But I have shot colony varmints. Back in the day, not uncommon to put several hundred rounds through a centerfire in a weekend. Sometimes, hundreds of rounds through several different rifles on a trip. Never experienced, or saw, or heard of a bolt binding due to collected grime.

I have, though, dropped a rifle in the dirt a time or two and felt compelled to stop and clean the grit out as best I could before continuing on to my stand or whatever. But I have a hard time imagining how a fluted bolt could have been an asset in those situations. If anything, I think it could have made things worse, by having flutes packed full of crud, vs. simply taking two seconds wiping off the bolt with my sleeve or whatever?

Guess there are always variables though. My fluted bolts are all of the "Borden Bump" variety. Good clearance except the ends. Likewise, all the 700's I've had blueprinted have had the bolt bushed to achieve the same result. It would take a chit ton of crap packed in any of them to actually bind the bolt. Something like the dirt drop, never going to happen from anything approaching normal shooting - to include hundreds of rounds without cleaning.

- DAA
 
I kinda thought bolt fluting was something you did when you ran out of other things to spend money on. If it don't make it more accurate,its just bling.
 
I think dave is right about a large amount of dirt. however I used my Bat machine 243 AI for a number of years as a main calling rifle. The fine dust he talks about is exactly what I see. for an action with really tight tolerances I think the bolt fluting does indeed help quite a bit keeping the bolt running smooth. My action also just came with it but I think I saw somewhere that the guys at bat machine preferred this type of action to have a fluted bolt for the purposes I just mentioned.
 
Never have liked it.
I don't see any use for it but I don't mind fluting on barrels too much. Cept for the spiral stuff, it impresses me about as much as 20's and hydraulics on a Cutless.
 
flutes = hog trough for collecting crap, potential trigger issues are what bothers me. If you are hunting in snow or mud, may be a good idea to have a small cleaning kit in the truck. I have two customs with flutes, and I really hate cleaning a bolt with a tooth brush.

NO more fluted bolts for me, I am just too practical.
 
I thought its only purpose was to lighten stuff and cut your fingers.
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When inletting barrel channels for fluted barrels I have cut myself on the flutes on some barrels. Does not make me happy. When inserting a fluted bolt into an action to check for bolt handle clearance ect. those fluted bolts can be sharp also. Nope, don't like flutes.
Oh, and you should see the wood dust that collects in the flutes.


Now hydraulics on a Cutlass, hhmmmmm..............
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Less friction/drag on the bolt for faster smoother operation. I have them on two rifles, don't care for the look. Really don't like the spiral fluted barrels.
 
I don't have it on any of mine, but had been thinking about having it done on my calling rifle. Kind of been on the fence as to whether it would actually be of any benefit, or just throwing more money down a rat hole. It is really sandy country around here where I hunt and there has been once or twice I think it might would have helped. But like DAA said, it just takes 30 seconds to yank the bolt out and wipe it off it you need to. I think I will just have the bolt threaded for a knob and call it good.
 
Air-brushed paint jobs on bike tanks, pin-stripping on vehicles,
fluted rifle bolts, can all look neat. Practicality? Whatever trips
the owner's trigger.
 
I had mine done to match my barrel. To me it rounds a rifle out. It's opinion of course like many other things we do to our weapons. You don't build a rifle to appease someone else, and if you are your just building a toy to flash and show off. I still need to put the finish on my bolt. But I love hay it falls in line with my rifle.
 
In general, I always have a hankerchief and a little bottle of gun oil in my pack. If I ever thought I had picked up dust or dirt, regardless of fluting, I have the option of wiping it down, and even re-oiling.

I like the looks of fluted bolts. The actual performance advantages are largely exaggerated, but I've spent a lot more money on a lot more foolish things. Almost all of my push feeds have fluted bolts, but I've yet to find someone who will flute a Ruger M77 bolt.

Life is pretty easy if you let it stay easy.
 
I don't have any spiral flutes but I like the pics I see of them. My MkV has straight flutes I think and no probs with it ever. Very slick action even in the blowing sand of Nebraska.
 


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