Does fluting affect barrel accuracy?

[Mikecr]

Originally Posted by calling4life

For me
Button rifled= don't flute,

You must mean contouring, rather than fluting.
I would not allow anyone but the barrelmaker to contour his barrel(if button) -prior to lapping.
Fluting? I don't know that this would be a problem no matter when it's done.
Maybe if someone went crazy with it..

[winmag]

Hart Barrels are button rifled, & Hart offers Fluting them in a number if different patterns.
You wouldn't think a barrel manufacturer would offer this service if they thought it "hurt the accuracy" of thier barrels. Haven't hered too many negatives about them.
Usually folks mention Kreiger, Hart, & Lilja, as being in like company at the top of the pile. Many others are highly recomended too like Brux, Schillen, etc. Not all manufacturers offer fluting, but many of the top end manufacturers do. I doubt they would if it screwed up accuracy.
My 26" Hart is fluted. When Ted ("shortgrass") finishes my build ill letcha know how it shoots. I've got a hunch its gonna be fine.

[rscott5028]

Originally Posted by winmag

Hart Barrels are button rifled, & Hart offers Fluting them in a number if different patterns.
You wouldn't think a barrel manufacturer would offer this service if they thought it "hurt the accuracy" of thier barrels. Haven't hered too many negatives about them.
Usually folks mention Kreiger, Hart, & Lilja, as being in like company at the top of the pile. Many others are highly recomended too like Brux, Schillen, etc. Not all manufacturers offer fluting, but many of the top end manufacturers do. I doubt they would if it screwed up accuracy.
My 26" Hart is fluted. When Ted ("shortgrass") finishes my build ill letcha know how it shoots. I've got a hunch its gonna be fine.

Congrats winmag. I bet it's a hummer too.

They do caution about contouring and fluting after it leaves their shop...
Hart Rifle Barrels

Like I said earlier... if you let the manufacturer handle it, they'll honor their warranty. Otherwise you may be alright, but you may run into finger pointing.

-- richard

[Joe King]

Personlly I would think that if you want a fluted barrel then get it from a top manf. They will take the necessary steps to insure that the barrel is stress relieved, but to have a barrel fluted after you recieve it is pretty much like shooting yourself in the foot.

As for stiffness, depends on how you look at it. for a given contour less material = decreased stiffness, given weight (equal length) = larger dia = stiffer

Cooling most manufactures don't feel that the added surface area is great enough to significantly aid in cooling, and less mass = heats up easier, Also a darker surface has been found to aid in cooling better than added surface area, but then again dark object s tend to absorb heat from outside sources more efficiently than lighter (more reflective surfaces, 6th grade science anyone).

BUT fluting sure does look cool
in the end though just like everything else it's just a trade off. To flute or not to flute? whats important to you? either way a good manf is most important.

[rscott5028]

for clarity...

I never said a 3rd party can't do a good fluting job.

But if you later have concerns about the quality/accuracy of the barrel, don't be too surprised if the barrel maker questions the fluting.

So, another approach might be to shoot first and then ask your chosen fluting smith if he'll stand behind his work and replace the barrel if the accuracy falls off.

I mention this because some after market guys have more fluting options than the barrel makers. And, some barrel makers are very conservative about the number, depth, styles that they'll do.

-- richard

[Greyfox]

Not too sure about all the theory but my fluted 6.5x284 Cooper and my buddy's Hart barreled 300 Weatherby will hold .5 MOA or better out to 1000 yards. I believe both are button rifled.

[calinb]

Originally Posted by Aldon

It is like the lottery.

It can and does occasionally effect accuracy.

It's mostly about dynamics and harmonics. Yes--they are the lottery!