Flutes???

[Tapper]

I have been considering a light weight, but accurate carbine project. Maybe an encore barrel in 338-06. BUT - what format should the barrel be??

I know what a fluted barrel is, and that it will lighten the barrel since it removes some of the metal. Does fluting do anything other than lighten the barrel??

Thanks,

Tapper

[KN]

It will also allow it to cool faster since there is now more surface area exposed to the air. Some will say it will add rigidity to the barrel but I have doubts about that. I have never heard of a case where there were negative effects to fluting a barrel.   KN

[PaulS]

my not so humble opinion:

Fluting a barrel alway happens after the barrel is heat treated. The problem is that no barrel is one, solid, homogenous piece of steel. In the process of fluting metal is removed and the barrel characteristics are modified - some parts are stress relieved while others are not. It does have more surface area to promote cooling but it also has thin sections that are prone to getting a lot hotter than the ribs. This can change the point of impact. Fluting is done for just one reason - to lighten an otherwise heavy barrel. It will not add rigidity and it is not better than a barrel without fluting.

PaulS

[Tapper]

Thank you for your inputs.

I had heard the rigidity statement, but could never figure out the structural reason why that would happen. So - the truth is now known. Excellent comment of the effects of application of these flutes on a barrel that is already stress relieved. Had not thought of that. Thanks.

SO-- the best way to get a light barrel is too keep it slim. How about these carbon wrapped barrels. Light, stong, and stiff?? Worth the price on a barrel that just needs repeatable, first shot to first shot accuracy?? (This isn't a barrel for shooting praire dogs -- 338-06) -- OR just go with a slim contour??

Tapper

[Varmint Hunter]

The confusion about fluted barrels and stiffness is all in the way the comparison is stated.

If you take two identical barrels and flute one of them it will be lighter but not stiffer. Removing metal never makes a barrel stiffer.

However, if you had two barrels of the same weight, one being round and the other being fluted, the fluted barrel (of the same weight) should be stiffer.

If you want a light-weight barrel you could go thin or fluted but most barrel manufacturers only flute a  barrel that is of a certain diameter to begin with. The lightest steel barrels are usually just made with a small outter diameter.

Although you never see a carbon barrel used @ a benchrest match, I don't see any reason why it would not make a good field rifle. It would likely contribute to increased muzzle rise but that shouldn't be too big of a problem.

VH