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BOLT FLUTING

Does bolt fluting make the cycling smoother/slicker because of less metal resistance or is there another reason to flute your bolt?
 
Paul did a couple bolts for me and the smoother cycling was an added bonus I hadn't considered.

Saying it won't make it run smoother is simply false.
 
A fluted bolt will bind more than a non-fluted bolt, especially when your running a 10 shot string.


I have done many bolt fluting jobs for tactical shooters. Not a single complaint of bolt binding in over 5 yrs and literally hundreds of bolts.

The only bolt binding that I haver heard of repeatedly, is from the Defiance actions, when they first came out. Not sure if it is fixed yet or not.

This is based on personal experience, with the styles of fluting that I offer. Cannot comment on other styles of fluting done by other people. :rolleyes:

Regards,Paul

www.boltfluting.com
 
I have never had any problems with the bolt binding because of fluted bolts, my Kelbly varmint rifles come standard with flutes on them.
 
I have done many bolt fluting jobs for tactical shooters. Not a single complaint of bolt binding in over 5 yrs and literally hundreds of bolts.

The only bolt binding that I haver heard of repeatedly, is from the Defiance actions, when they first came out. Not sure if it is fixed yet or not.

This is based on personal experience, with the styles of fluting that I offer. Cannot comment on other styles of fluting done by other people. :rolleyes:

Regards,Paul

www.boltfluting.com
Paul have you ever shot 1000 yard bench rest??????????
Tactical is different then 1000yd bench rest, where we have to run 10 shots in 20 seconds. Yes several of my Bat actions have bound up. I did have the bolts melonited and it cured 95% of the bind, you learn to push more on the center of the bolt with your thumb than on the handle. Tikki's are some of the smoothest actions and the bolts are not fluted.
 
I think bolt fluting causing failure to cycle bolts properly is an individual situation related to the workmanship by the machinist. Never had an issue with mine either. Bolt fluter is siting many years of 100% feedback from his service. That minimizes the possibility of his work failing. Obviously other machinists fluting bolts cannot stand by that feedback.
 
Does anyone offer bolt fluting but more of machined flats done in a spiral? Sort of replicating the look of a chf barrel?

-Alexander
 
Paul have you ever shot 1000 yard bench rest??????????
Tactical is different then 1000yd bench rest, where we have to run 10 shots in 20 seconds. Yes several of my Bat actions have bound up. I did have the bolts melonited and it cured 95% of the bind, you learn to push more on the center of the bolt with your thumb than on the handle. Tikki's are some of the smoothest actions and the bolts are not fluted.

Tuttle,

My mistake as I just assumed you were shooting in the PRS matches. No, I have shot at 1000 yds, just not in any matches. I can see how a bolt binding up would be a real distraction. My personal belief is that actions that bind up, whether fluted or not, have a design flaw creating the problem. Either bolt body is to tight or long bolt handle forces the back of the bolt off axis creating the binding. I personally don't buy into the idea of having to operate a bolt handle in a certain manner for it to not lock up. You should be able to just grab and go in my opinion. Especially on a custom action of all things. Again I believe this to be an engineering/ design problem. Again, just my personal opinion as to what is the real problem.;)

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com
 
Tuttle,

My mistake as I just assumed you were shooting in the PRS matches. No, I have shot at 1000 yds, just not in any matches. I can see how a bolt binding up would be a real distraction. My personal belief is that actions that bind up, whether fluted or not, have a design flaw creating the problem. Either bolt body is to tight or long bolt handle forces the back of the bolt off axis creating the binding. I personally don't buy into the idea of having to operate a bolt handle in a certain manner for it to not lock up. You should be able to just grab and go in my opinion. Especially on a custom action of all things. Again I believe this to be an engineering/ design problem. Again, just my personal opinion as to what is the real problem.;)

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com
Paul, this was on both my Bat 3L's, not my M, and not on my Panda's. It could be the difference in hardness of the bolt vs receiver, but I believe a non fluted bolt would not be as finicky. I did speak with Daryle (at Bat)about this problem and he suggested using lots more grease on the bolt body and to revise the way I was gripping the bolt handle and to try to push with my thumb on the center of the bolt with fingers on the handle. I adapted my grip and melonited the bolts, which has been working much bettter.
Thanks John
 
I'm not metallurgist, but how does taking material off a bolt cause it to go out of round and cause binding? The original fit and strength of the bolt is still there right? Is someone suggesting that if I flute a bolt wrong, it will bend? I have two of Paul's works and they work fine. They worked fine before he did his artistry too.
 
I have three Kelbly Panda receivers, all with fluted bolts. If there is ever any binding, it's the fault of a lack of lube between the raceways and the bolt lugs and nothing to do with the flutes.

Lloyd
 
Bolt body flutes on an AI AW serve a purpose.

flutes are strictly cosmetic & could serve as a coffee grinder in spike camp!

Depending on trigger group installed you could have an issue w/ binding.
 

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