ugly flutes

[potatobed409]

I picked up my rifle from the smith a week ago with some displeasure. Its a .223 with a trued action and a fluted barrel. My first problem is with the flutes, they appear to have been cut with a very dull bit. Almost like they have been tore out instead of cut out. The second problem is with the truing of the action, how can I tell if its been done correctly or even at all. The bolt lugs seem to kinda wear the same but I cant tell yet. My last problem is with the follower, it drags against the bolt as it opens and closes. It done this from the factory and I asked him to fix it. How can I fix the flutes? What kind of follower can I change it to? It is shooting 2' groups at 100yds with factory ammo,I have not worked up a load for it yet). I am not going to take it back to him because it took a act of congress to get it back in the first place. I am done with him.

Thanks, Potatobed

 

[oneflyer]

Lynn- Got any pictures? Would be interested in seeing what that looks like. What kind of paint? Latex??

 

[Preacher]

The only way to tell if it has been trued is to pull it apart and check it with gauges..
I like to paint the flutes with Black paint and then polish the barrel and leave the flutes Black..

 

[forsyth793]

Is there anyone doing spiral flutes ?

 

[watercam]

Check the runout on your cases to see if the chamber is round. Check your primers to see if the firing pin is centered,or close). Put some Sharpie ink on the bearing surfaces of your bolt lugs and work the bolt handle up and down a few times while pulling rearward to see if the lugs are bearing evenly. In the end, put some match loads through it and see if you can get .5 MOA or so.
Sorry you had a poor experience.

 

[potatobed409]

I've tried to post a picture but it keeps saying the picture exceeds the size limit. I have reduced the camera down to 3.2megs but its still too large.

 

[FBecigneul]

What do you expect? Fluting a barrel may change the performance of that barrel and fluting is purported to change the stress within the barrel. I'm willing to bet that if you asked on any forum it would have been suggested that you do no expend the money on fluting. And don't go back to that smith.

 

[potatobed409]

I dont have a choice now about the flutes. I just wanted to try to fix what I have, and no I will not go back to that smith.

 

[FBecigneul]

I don't want to know who the gunsmith is/was. But, why did you go to this one in the first place? Were you referred by other shooters? Close to home? Where are you located? Are there reputable others in the area?

 

[Moderator]

If you want to post a pic, use a program such as Irfanview,FREE) to reduce size to 800 pixels wide,max) and try to keep file size under 80kb. 150kb is the max allowed. That is plenty big for a jpeg.

Instructions on how to post pictures is contained in the Photo Help file,see button upper right).

http://www.6mmbr.com/forumphotohelp.html

 

[gunnermhr]

Someone asked about a smith that does barrel fluting, Check out the work Karl does. He had some guns at the Worlds Championship Match at South Fork. He does an amazing job. True workmanship at it's finest.

http://www.kampfeldcustom.com/

 

[potatobed409]

The smith was recommended by many different people. After I got my gun back they all said he use to be very good. It seems everybody once used him but not now,I know why). He has done some small things in the past for me with good results. It seems like hes slipping. If you dont know him locally then you wont know who he is.

 

[potatobed409]

Finally got the pics posted, but I had to downsize them so much it might be hard to see.

 

[swbretiredman]

I've had Karl at Kampfeld Custom flute around 10 barrels in 10 different calibers for me and they all shoot 1/4 to 3/8ths inch groups with trued 700 actions and sleeves added.I've never had any problems of any kind with barrels I've had fluted.