Hi to you all:
Got a question. I ran across a comment by someone regarding fluted barrels. Now I know that some expensive barrels are fluted, so maybe I’m answering my own question.
But the comment was about fluting weakening a barrel because of the grooves cut into it. I have to admit this does make some sense.
Any opinions on this?
I would have to guess there comes a point where it’s possible but I highly doubt the cuts go deep enough to make a difference unless your using it as a pogo stick.
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I don’t believe it makes significant difference one way or the other. Fluting is a form thing more than a function thing. I’ll pass.
MM
Here’s a good article on fluted barrels. Main purpose is weight reduction and cooling:
http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles/RealBenefitsBarrelFluting.asp
I am interested in hearing these answers…especially with some scientific reasoning and data. To start - I am no expert.
I have owned several 5.56 & .308 rifles that are fluted: Stainless Rock Creek 14.5" AR, Badger 16" on DSA FAL and most recently a V Seven cut/machined PacNor 16" AR (very similar to Noveske)), BCM extreme light weight CM 14.5" and dimpled CM Knights 16".
I can not comment on accuracy versus the non-fluted equivalents - other than to say that they happen to be among my most accurate rifles. Anecdotally, there is a link in my mind between fluting and general accuracy, but I can’t say it is for sure if it is the barrel. The theory I have heard & generally subscribe to has more to do with the “heat-sink” or radiator effect created by creating more surface area on the barrel exposed to ambient air (cooler than the barrel)…helping to cool the barrel, leading to less barrel stress and corresponding better longevity. There is also the effect of removing material, making the gun lighter (to carry/maneuver), but the trade off being recoil management.
I believe that much of this can also accomplished with a bull/heavy barrel design, proper crowing…but I am no benchrest/bipod shooter.
Looking forward to hearing more…
I think good/bad is a poor choice of words, so I’d suggest pros/cons or advantages/disadvantages and maybe even cost/benefit analyses.
GIVEN - A hollow cylinder is stronger than a solid cylinder of equal mass and the same material. And that most of the ‘strength’ of a cylindrical shape comes from the outer dimensional portions, i.e., cube of the radial IIRC.
GET - Take a solid cylindrical rod and drill out 1/2 the volume from the center … you do not lose 1/2 the strength. The strength to weight ratio is better for a hollow pipe than a solid rod.
ASSUMPTIONS - I assume the logic (fluted vs unfluted barrels) somewhat follows these same engineering principles. (It is the mass component that confuses me.)
So maybe for a true comparison you’d have to compare barrels of the same length and weight, where the diameter of the fluted barrel and the #, length and depth of the flutes fit that weight/length parameters.
Fluting done right is not cheap. It does aid in cooling because of reduced mass.*
*Edited!
Sorry, this is incorrect.
Fluting having any real impact on barrels operating temp is as real as global warming.
I would think it would have to be a pretty thick barrels with many deep, narrow flutes (like those JP barrel heat sinks) before you would be able to notice any difference in cooling ability.
… and yet you provide soooooooooooooooo much detail in response, that you should run for public office.
First, an un-fluted round barrel is stronger before it is fluted.
There is a slight improvement in cooling for a fluted barrel simply because it presents more surface to the air.
A fluted barrel will be lighter by the amount of material removed.
That’s it.
But there are other things to consider:
I just purchased my first fluted barrel. A Faxon “Match Series” Heavy Barrel with “Flame” fluting and a Wylde chamber. I’m looking forward to see how well it shoots as it heats up.
Remember that barrel dimpling nonsense from several years ago?
Personally, I’ve never noticed any appreciable difference in weight reduction or heat transfer/cooling between barrels with flutes and those without. I think it’s mostly a cosmetic issue. I do find fluting attractive so I don’t mind if a gun comes with them, but wouldn’t pay as an extra option.
As simple of a question that the OP asked, the answers can be more complex for some. With an end goal of maintaining a precision requirement, this can be lengthy when done in detail. There’s a lot going on for possibilities, with the base premise of the position of the muzzle end of the bore maintaining a more consistent location during the exit of the projectile from the bore within the line of sight used for the purposes of aiming. Other caveats can enter in for actual usage, other than what is used by a decent design team, as outside variables have been known to add in there own variables, pro’s and con’s. It’s not the concept that heavy or light round barrels are good or bad, nor fluted or not, nor the mentioned dimples or not, nor the location of referencing of that barrel as a standard. There’s more than that, but the base premise remains a preferred choice or choices for an application that suits the end user for a satisfactory result.
Op, all things being equal, with 2 barrels of the same weight, a fluted barrel will be more accurate and keep its accuracy to a higher temperature, assuming a quality barrel maker.
That said, the impact is going to be small.
If you are talking about strength to weight ratio, then no, he is correct.
Same weight and length, a hollow tube offers higher strength than a solid one.
Also, flutes offer better cooling due to increased surface area and higher temp exposed to air for radiation (bottom of flutes), compared to a barrel of equal mass.
KAC did it. I would call it cost prohibitive. Cost aside, it makes sense.
Edit- sorry, meat to combine posts, not post a trifecta.
Never mind.
This assumes some "givens, that are not “givens”.