Rifle builder gurus...

[systemnt]

Seeing more and more custom and oem rifles with fluted barrels or bolts .. whats the purpose of this other than aesthetics?
Some cooling aspect to it like a heat sync?

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

Cooling and weight reduction.


And they look KEWL!

[Coach W]

More Reputable builders will not flute barrels as it compromises the barrels integrity and accuracy... even if just in theory.

THe theory of fluting is to add more surface area to the barrel so it cools down faster... BUT once the barrel is hott enough to enjoy this characteristic... its allready to hott to shoot...

It does however cut down on the weight vs the bull barrel...

Looks are worthless if your gun wont shoot worth a dang... but its your choice in the end.

[konahoss]

Just get a fluted bull barrel.

[Cajun Blake]

barrel fluting does reduce some weight but IMO, it's mainly cosmetic

although it does increase surface area, I don't subscribe to the "cooling theory"

just a few examples (sorry for the large pic size)





new rifle rest

[Fightinaggies]

Not a fan of fluted barrels myself but others above have described the theory for why they do it

[mesquitecountry]

Here's why you do it. It allows you to get a heavier barrel, which reduces barrel whip, which improves accuracy.

Only issue, no one wants to pack a 15 pound gun. So to combat that you flute your barrel to reduce weight.

The designs are for aesthetics. I don't believe it cools that much quicker either. You only flute a bolt for looks and weight reduction.


Though, I'll take a carbon fiber wrapped barrel over a fluted any day of the week performance wise.

They just don't look as good.

[Bily Lovec]

short answer,
it also stiffens the barrel due to more edges.

[denimdeerslayer]

That is sick looking Blake! Where did you get it or is that your handy work?

[icetrauma]

They look purty and you have to pay more for it. The later part being why they do it.

[captainsling]

That is sick looking Blake! Where did you get it or is that your handy work?

I believe Hart does fluting like that.

[Cajun Blake]

That is sick looking Blake! Where did you get it or is that your handy work?

W ... That's not my rifle, I was just posting inet pics of the various fluting styles

I believe Hart does fluting like that.

Yep, the afore pictured barrels are done by Hart

[Coach W]

short answer,
it also stiffens the barrel due to more edges.

The theory is that it weakens the barrel by cutting and removing material... Not strengthening it.

[txfireguy2003]

It does weaken the barrel, but only marginally. Consider the idea of an "I" beam vs a solid chunk of steel of the same dimensions. The theory is that when you put a load on a beam, the side you are pushing on gets compressed, and the other side gets stretched, the material in the middle is really not being stressed. This is why we can make an I beam that is virtually just as stiff as a solid chunk of steel given the same dimensions, but it's much lighter weight. Fluting is the same basic principal. I also agree with the idea that more surface area cools faster, but I think your flutes would have to be very deep to really see the benefit.

[Bonesplitter]

It's all for look's and weight reduction. The cooling theory is that, just a theory.