Fluting a Factory Heavy Barrel?

[Hoss50]

Is it possible and even worth it to try and flute a factory heavy barrel? Would the weight savings be noticable? I have a Savage 110FP that I am thinking about trying to hunt with but it has the big heavy factory barrel.

 

Or should I just man up and tote around the extra weight?

 

Harley

[firstcoueswas80]

You're likely talking ounces.....

[oz31p]

Does it shoot good now? It will shoot diferant after you flute it. Not better or worst just diferant. So if you have a good load with a good shooting rifle, leave it be. Your likely not notice the weight savings any way

[lancetkenyon]

Depends on the depth, number, cut design, and length of the flutes. 4-10 Oz. My .300RUM with deep helical flutes in a heavy varmint contour @ 28" made 9 Oz. difference.

[mattys281]

A year or so ago I had a guy thats a partner in a custom rifle manufacturer over in cali approach me about fluting some barrels for them. I asked him point blank is the gain really that significant? He said it does lighten them up a little (obviously), greater surface are is supposed to help with heat dissipation (although theyd never actually tested it), but mostly people just think it looks cool, so it helpsto sell rifles.

 

If it were my money, I'd invest in something that would gain me more than cool looks, unless you plan on swapping the barrel anyway, then what the heck, whip out the credit card and go crazy!

[lancetkenyon]

Here you go. Check for yourself. Use the weight calculator from LRI.

https://www.longriflesinc.com/collections/gunsmithing-services/products/gunsmithing-services-barrel-fluting

[sjvcon]

Weight Schmeight. Carry it like it is.

 

Seriously though...I have heard of issues with guys fluting factory barrels. Something about stressing the barrel and affecting the harmonics.

[GreyGhost85]

I would think that fluting a factory barrel would cost nearly as much as just having a new fluted barrel installed?

[cactusjack]

Fluting it sounds difficult, maybe try playing it like a recorder.

[Zeke-BE]

Couple years ago I asked the same question. Found some links I don't know where it is now but most people recommended to flute match grade barrels. Fluting a factory barrel could cause your barrel to shoot worse. Just what I've been told. Lances gun saved him slightly over 1/2 a pound. So if you did that, put on a lighter scope, and maybe flute the bolt you might be 3/4 of a pound weight saved. But if you have a 10 pound gun and you drop it down to 9 pounds it will make those hike feel just slightly better.

[cramerhunts]

I chose to flute my factory barrel and am very pleased with the outcome. I did it mainly for atheistics and didn't weigh before nor after. As far as accuracy it did not change.

[Zeke-BE]

I chose to flute my factory barrel and am very pleased with the outcome. I did it mainly for atheistics and didn't weigh before nor after. As far as accuracy it did not change.

 

 

What factory rifle was it?

[cramerhunts]

 

 

I chose to flute my factory barrel and am very pleased with the outcome. I did it mainly for atheistics and didn't weigh before nor after. As far as accuracy it did not change.

 

What factory rifle was it?

A Remington 700 long range 300 rum.

[mattys281]

Ive yet to try it (and probably never will, cuz whos got that kind of time), but theres a concept that if you flute the barrel a certain way you can actually control which way a barrel will flex during the discharge of the round. In theory if you can manipulate it to flex in the exact same direction every time, it will be more consistent.

 

Just spitballing ideas, but with straight cut fluting it would be pretty easy to accomplish and if you orient the flex so that it only moves vertically you could potentially tighten up some horizontal variations in your grouping at longer ranges. In theory.....