Most of the info given above is correct. I've seen many claims on the "benefits" of barrel fluting like making a barrel stiffer, or helping it cool faster. I wish that were true, as barrel fluting makes up a significant portion of our services. Fact is, we just haven't observed those claims as being measurable beyond anything more than "theory". The only thing it does for sure is reduce weight and change the appearance of the barrel. The benefits are often way over-stated, but so are the "risks".
There is no more risk involved with a correctly executed fluting job than there is with re-contouring a barrel blank. Of course there will always be a higher risk with buttoned barrels vs. cut rifled due to the way they are made. Even then, the risks are very minimal if using a properly stress relieved buttoned blank(not all are). We've fluted well over 1,000 barrels, and to my knowledge only had 3 not behave properly after fluting. All were buttoned. That's a far smaller failure rate than Carbon Fiber barrels from ANY manufacturer. Nobody seems that concerned about going carbon fiber, yet the CF blanks are subjected to massive amounts of material removal as compared to a fluting job held to a reasonable depth. Material removal does not really induce stress, as much as it "uncovers" it so to speak.
I have seen all of the evidence and data that opponents to the process have put out there, and agree most of it makes sense. However, it just doesn't seem to translate to the target with any consistency. After seeing 100's of fluted barrels hold groups that would be competitive in most disciplines outside of SR benchrest, I just don't think it's worth worrying about. It wouldn't be a feature of serious consideration on a match rifle anyway.
Like Jake pointed out above, sometimes it will tighten groups and sometimes it will open them up......as it is changing harmonics. Most of the time it will do nothing either way. Sometimes it's worth it, sometimes its not. Good rule is if it's shooting good now, don't mess with it
It can be a great tool for dropping some weight, or better yet improving the balance on a hunting rig. Just go in knowing you "might" need to adjust your ammo. Chances are you won't.
There is no more risk involved with a correctly executed fluting job than there is with re-contouring a barrel blank. Of course there will always be a higher risk with buttoned barrels vs. cut rifled due to the way they are made. Even then, the risks are very minimal if using a properly stress relieved buttoned blank(not all are). We've fluted well over 1,000 barrels, and to my knowledge only had 3 not behave properly after fluting. All were buttoned. That's a far smaller failure rate than Carbon Fiber barrels from ANY manufacturer. Nobody seems that concerned about going carbon fiber, yet the CF blanks are subjected to massive amounts of material removal as compared to a fluting job held to a reasonable depth. Material removal does not really induce stress, as much as it "uncovers" it so to speak.
I have seen all of the evidence and data that opponents to the process have put out there, and agree most of it makes sense. However, it just doesn't seem to translate to the target with any consistency. After seeing 100's of fluted barrels hold groups that would be competitive in most disciplines outside of SR benchrest, I just don't think it's worth worrying about. It wouldn't be a feature of serious consideration on a match rifle anyway.
Like Jake pointed out above, sometimes it will tighten groups and sometimes it will open them up......as it is changing harmonics. Most of the time it will do nothing either way. Sometimes it's worth it, sometimes its not. Good rule is if it's shooting good now, don't mess with it
It can be a great tool for dropping some weight, or better yet improving the balance on a hunting rig. Just go in knowing you "might" need to adjust your ammo. Chances are you won't.
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