BOLT FLUTING

[Alex Wheeler]

It depends. Every action has its own separate needs. I have worked with Panda actions extensively to make them run as fast as possible. The Aluminum makes them more touchy than most. The best way to make a bolt fly is to nitrite or pvd it and run it bone dry. Grease sticks them up. Different styles of flutes can be better than others. I like Pauls wide flutes he does for me on Pandas. Then you can reduce the center diameter a couple thou as well. But on something loose like a rem, no I dont think they run smoother.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

PMA, why did you mention fluting and binding?
If you have a problem with binding you may have another problem. Jim Borden with his Borden Actions cured binding and tougher bolt action with his Borden bumps. With the bumps, the bolt rides on even less metal and relieves binding. Another plus for the fluting is weight reduction if you are shooting in a class where weight is an issue.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I had paul flute 15 bolts for me a few yrs ago. Cant say enough good about his work. As far as binding up ive never had an issue and no action runs faster than my top port bat railgun action. Binding on that would be disastrous

 

[Tommie]

My concern is more about the top cartridge in the magazine being pressed against those flutes. Is there no additional friction against that lovingly-prepared brass? Fluted bolts certainly can be pretty but they look like cheese graters to me.

To each his own.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

My concern is more about the top cartridge in the magazine being pressed against those flutes. Is there no additional friction against that lovingly-prepared brass? Fluted bolts certainly can be pretty but they look like cheese graters to me.

To each his own.

Straight flutes will lock a repeater up instantly. Correctly cut spiral flutes have no hard edge to grab a case. I see more brass buildup on the ruff adl type finish bolts than fluted ones so that tells me its actually grating less if its fluted

 

[TRA]

Apples and oranges here. A 3 lug bolt and a 2 lug are totally different animals. A fluted bolt would drag in more dirt than a smooth one, so that point is mute. Anyone ever seen a real sniper rifle with fluting? If it was an asset they would be. I do agree it does look cool and if designed right, wear and tear at the rear of the action could be reduced. I like Bats diamond style the best.

BTW, the 2 lug would bind more so in the lugs than the bolt surface.