Fluting a Barrel

[SmokinJoe]

Just got a Rock Creek 5R barrel that I bought from the internet & it is somewhat heavier than I expected. Anyone have experience they care to share about fluting a barrel blank. It was not considered an advisable thing in benchrest, but then I've read of others doing it in the past with good results. The second question is who would be best to do this? Thanks for any first hand experience. Joe

 

[wtd168]

Joe, Skip Otto fluted almost every barrel he shot in short range benchrest. I have fluted several to make the 10 1/2 weight limit. Call John Lewis, he's only 20 miles away.

 

[fredhorace77]

someone may know better than i do but to my understanding fluting removes an average of 6-8oz. on a standard 22-24" barrel. Ive always heard that flutting should not be done after the final lapping of the barrel. Of course this may only pertain to benchrest accuracy.

 

[Eddie Harren]

Joe, I've had Clay Spencer flute several barrels for me, after fitting and chambering. Have never experienced any unfavorable results. Eddie

 

[gtl1946]

May take awhile to get them to answer but I'd go " to the horses mouth " and call Rock Creek to answer your question . They should know and/or be able to help out - good people !

 

[butchlambert]

Karl Feldkamp of Kampfeld Kustoms.

 

[Rustystud]

I prefer to flute barrels before final stress relieving; however I have fluted many barrels after they are finished. I just make sure that I do an even numbers of flutes. Cutting them 180 degrees apart alternately. The first cut may cause the barrel to look like a banana. The opposite cut straightens it right out.
Nat Lambeth

 

[butchlambert]

Nat,
Didn't know that you fluted barrels.

 

[CSM19Z5M]

A number of years back I spiral fluted a couple of my barrels. I'm no gunsmith but not a bad machinist either. I was just experimenting with different "looks" more than anything. I finally concluded that, unless you are doing so to get under a certain overall weight maximum for competition shooting it wasn't worth the effort or added cost. I didn't see any benefit from increased cooling surface either. But I guess if you like the look of flutes then knock yourself out. The barrels I cut were both varmint profile barrels and I didn't see any change in accuracy whatsoever after machining them. I would say though that if someone is going to try fluting one himself he should do so carefully so as to not induce any stress into the barrel while machining. It's a feature best left to a good gunsmith.