Fluting question

[Syncrowave]

For those who do barrel fluting -- do barrels typically need to be straightened (or re-straightened) after fluting?
Or (if the barrel was normalized/stress relieved before fluting) would there not be residual internal stresses to cause it to pretzel up?
I know in woodworking, you can sometimes start with a nice straight piece and start cutting into it, and it'll twist, warp, cup and do all kinds of stunts -- particularly with certain woods. (I remember some iroko that was unsane.)

 

[WSnyder]

do barrels typically need to be straightened (or re-straightened) after fluting?

No. If they were properly stress relieved in the barrel making process then fluting after in practice doesn’t change it much at all if any. See my comments on previously chambered barrels that were fluted at a later date.

 

[WSnyder]

FWIW Eric Cortina did an interview with Frank Green and they discuss fluting in there.

 

[Syncrowave]

In barrels of equal weight the fluted barrel is stiffer.

That may be what I was (mis)remembering when I was thinking that "fluted and unfluted barrels of the same outside diameter are equally stiff."

It makes sense that in barrels of equal weight, the fluted barrel would be stiffer, since if they're of equal weight, the outside diameter of the fluted barrel would necessarily be larger ...