When trying to make weight, run a thinner barrel profile or flutes?

[ISS]

I have been in contact with a gunsmith that's shop is six (!) miles from my house. Not a time zone or two away. We chatted about half an hour about standard 300 VS Improved. When a gunsmith tells you what he and his wife are shooting, that carries a lot of weight. So, yes! I will opt for the Improved version. I can also take advantage of his local knowledge. He says I will be competitive fire forming the brass at the two local (within an hour of me) 1000 yard ranges. Although I am sad to find out the closest one is actually only 970 yards. Make do with that.

I very much like the proximity, but I also understand not to be a pest.

I would very much like to thank all of you here for an informative discussion about the "Big Thirty's" here. One thread runs back six years here. I stayed up until three AM reading all the posts.

thanks friends,

ISS

 

[Will Henry]

I have fluted a whole bunch of barrels for other people. I have never fluted one of my own. If I want to reduce the weight or change the balance, I change the contour. That would always be my first choice. Oh yeah, with a 34 inch barrel, my first choice would be to whack 4 inches off the length. WH

 

[searcher]

I have read a number of articles on the fluting process inducing additional stresses into the barrel - and which go further to discuss the merits of fluting before the barrel is drilled or after rifling is completed. It seems there are many ways for a good barrel to go sideways in accuracy after fluting. Since I can't make any definitive conclusions - I'd go thinner profile or whack off the end if need be. I've only had one custom rifle barrel fluted - and the fluting was done by the barrel manufacturer (top name brand). I've always wondered if it might have been a tad more accurate had I not fluted. It is accurate - but not as accurate as the other 10+ non-fluted barrels I have purchased from that same maker. Coincidence? Maybe. I'd NEVER flute a match barrel - no way, sir.

 

[Doug Beach]

I’ve fluted 4.5-5.0 oz off a few HV FTR barrels. All cut rifled. They all performed very well in the hands of an excellent shooter. 8 flutes, 19” long by .050” deep, with an 1/8” radius convex cutter.

 

[Oso]

Thinner profile 100%.

I’ve read a few papers on the benefits of added rigidity achieved from fluting a larger diameter barrel as compared to simply selecting a thinner barrel profile to make same weight. My concern is always impact of fluting on barrel harmonics.Out of concerns around maintaining barrel harmonics.

Your response caught my attention. Can you explain your preference. Genuinely interested in your insight.