custom rifle question

[catch-34]

I am looking at purchasing a custom rifle most likely in 7mm STW or something close to it and have 2 questions that i am looking for an answer to from those who have had experiance. First is with regards to magazine style. Which is a better option hinged floorplate or blind magazine. Pros and cons of each. Is one better suited for accuracy than the other? The second part of my question deals with barrel fluting. i am looking for pros and cons of it as well. Also does it increase/decrease accuracy at all? any input would be great. i want to have everything perfect before i decide on what i all want for my gun. thank you

[James H]

First I think it is easier to pillar bed a rifle with a blind magazine. The advantages of the hinged floor plate is faster and safer unloading of the magazine. The safety part really isn't an issue other than if you don't put the round in the chamber there is absolutely no chance of an accidental discharge.
There have been enough Benchrest matches won with a fluted barrel to indicate that there isn't an accuracy issue with flutes. Barrel flutes lighten the barrel and increase surface area for a little faster cooling. The only real disadvantage of barrel flutes is the price.

James

[tjonh2001]

the one thing to rember with barrel fluting is that when a barrel is being made you want to have your barrel fluted before they do the final stress releive.

i like broughton because the releive the barrel twice. so you can flute your barrel between the stress releiving and lap the barrel.

i personally had to replace a barrel because i had someone flute the barrel that was on my favorite gun. this caused the barrel to loose some accuracy.

[AJ Peacock]

Hinged or blind has been covered.

How about a removable magazine? Easiest of all to unload/load.

AJ

[Boss Hoss]

Originally Posted by tjonh2001

the one thing to rember with barrel fluting is that when a barrel is being made you want to have your barrel fluted before they do the final stress releive.

i like broughton because the releive the barrel twice. so you can flute your barrel between the stress releiving and lap the barrel.

i personally had to replace a barrel because i had someone flute the barrel that was on my favorite gun. this caused the barrel to loose some accuracy.

Correct----it also has a lot to do with who is doing the fluting and if they know what they are doing. Unfortunately many smiths do not know the tricks of doing this successfully. My Smith flutes tubes and not only has perfected the process but shot himself to various world records and the BR HOF using tubes he fluted. Mine are fluted as well and I win my share as well additionally almost all of my sporters he has built have fluted barrels.

If you are going to flute after the fact and this is a general statement but the single point cut barrels have less stress introduced during the manufacturing process than buttoned so start with that type.. Ok flame suit on…

[shiredude]

I am curious as to what twist rate you are looking at in this rifle. What bullets are you planning on shooting?

[Varmint Hunter]

Originally Posted by catch-34

I am looking at purchasing a custom rifle most likely in 7mm STW or something close to it and have 2 questions that i am looking for an answer to from those who have had experiance. First is with regards to magazine style. Which is a better option hinged floorplate or blind magazine. Pros and cons of each. Is one better suited for accuracy than the other? The second part of my question deals with barrel fluting. i am looking for pros and cons of it as well. Also does it increase/decrease accuracy at all? any input would be great. i want to have everything perfect before i decide on what i all want for my gun. thank you

Why even bother with fluting the barrel? I think more guys flute barrels because they like the APPEARANCE of a fluted barrel rather than for any other practicle reason. Fluting is expensive and can make an otherwise accurate barrel less accurate if it is not done correctly. Fluting should be completed early in the barrel making process.

I really don't buy into the notion that fluted barrels cool faster, at least not in a way that makes any difference. As to reducing weight, saving a couple of ounces can be achieved in many other ways.

That being said, I do have a few fluted barrels. They're sexy. :>)