Fluted barrel

wb243 · Post by **wb243** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:24 pm

G'day All

I'm new to AusVarminters but wanted to get everyone's thoughts on Fluted barrels...

I'm getting Shane from Clancy's to rebarrel a Remington M700 ADL in .222 with a Stainless Match grade Heavy barrel in '20 Practical' (basically a 20-223 - Read http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek061.html if interested) and am not sure whether I should get the barrel fluted or not?

I realise it would be slightly lighter than non-fluted but wanted to get your opinions on whether they look better or not.

Look forward to your replies!

jb747 · Post by **jb747** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:50 pm

Ah, an honest man. Choosing based on how they look. I like them. I've used fluted barrels on most of the rifles I've had rebarrelled, and would do so again.

diamond T · Post by **diamond T** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:14 pm

They certainly look good, i've got a fluted barrel on one of mine & it has reduced the weight of the varmint barrel considerably. The only question is if machining the barrel stress'es the barrel ? if done last after being relieved by maker.

diamond T · Post by **diamond T** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:16 pm

By the way, what brand barrel did you choose?

Kenny · Post by **Kenny** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:21 pm

Likewise here, no probs with fluted tubes.

They just cost a little more for the fluting to be done is all.

I have often wondered how one would look with the flutes painted

I reckon a polished tube with red flutes would look veeeery seeeexy

I was looking at those 20 cals just last night, very nice

KY

jb747 · Post by **jb747** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:00 pm

I've got a couple of fluted Maddco #5s (338/06 and 6*47) as well as a factory VSSF, LVSF, and LTR fluted barrels. Also have a #3 204 barrel on order, but felt that there wasn't really enough meat on it in the first place to allow for fluting.

If you wanted to paint them, it would be quite simple with some Duracoat....but I'm not too sure about red.

cat destroyer · Post by **cat destroyer** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:04 pm

I've just bought a Kimber Pro varmint in 204 ruger.It's got a fluted stainless barrel that's been painted in the flutes. It looks great.

wb243 · Post by **wb243** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:39 pm

Lilja barrel in Remington Heavy profile. I think it's similar to a #5 profile??

Polished barrel with painted flutes? Interesting... Unfortunately I don't have the $ to upgrade the stock so will be using the original ADL walnut stock. However, if I win the lotto I'll get a McMillan stock with custom paint job and will have to get the flutes painted then as well! What a sweet rifle that would be!

Thanks to all for your feedback on the fluting.

Will check with Shane to make sure the fluting does not stress the barrel and the will most likely have it done.

diamond T · Post by **diamond T** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:14 pm

Quote from lilja website

Q: Does fluting cause stress in a barrel?
A: We've been asked if machining flutes into a rifle barrel causes stress in the steel. The short answer is no, it does not. There are some operations in the manufacture of a rifle barrel that can cause stress to develop in the steel, but fluting is not one of them. To the contrary, fluting can and will relieve stress if it is already present. The same is true of any outside machining work performed on a barrel.

The type of stress that can exist in a barrel is called compressive stress. Under normal conditions the stress could form from two processes. When steel is manufactured, the round shape is formed through a rolling operation in the steel mill. This forming can be performed either hot or cold. Cold rolling generates a great deal of internal stress in the steel. Usually, with steel used for rifle barrels, this stress is relieved by heating the steel to just below its transformation or critical temperature. We have the steel mill that makes our steel do this as their very last operation, ensuring us that the steel is stress free when we receive it.

Secondly, stress can be formed in a rifle barrel during a cold forming operation, such as button rifling. Since no material is removed from the barrel when the rifling is formed, rather it is displaced, it causes compressive stress in the steel. If this stress is not removed, through a heat treating operation, it will remain in the steel where it can cause other problems. Any subsequent machining operations, such as turning the outside diameter of the barrel, will allow some of those stresses to come out. The result can be an opening of the inside diameter of the barrel, more so towards the muzzle where more material is machined away. It can and probably will also cause the barrel to warp. And if these aren't enough, the temporary heating and cooling of the barrel that occurs during normal firing will also let the stress come out by warping the barrel. Poor accuracy is the result.

Although a barrel would not normally be welded on, this can also cause stresses to form in steel. At times though, gunsmiths will heat barrels to sweat-on barrel bands and sites. Too much heat can cause some problems as well.

But, the fact remains that normal machining operations, such as outside turning, fluting, drilling and tapping site holes, etc. do not cause or introduce stress. They can and do allow residual stresses to come out of the steel though.

We flute about 50 rifle barrels per month and have never had a problem with our barrels related to fluting.

Kenny · Post by **Kenny** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:27 pm

AWWWWW dang JB

I thought red was a 'safe' non racist colour, but I guess if you must you can paint yours...black or parple

Seriously.....I have never seen one done, have you got any pics CD

KY

cat destroyer · Post by **cat destroyer** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 9:46 pm

Kenny, I've got some photos but I'm having trouble sending them. Any hints on how to send them would be helpful. CD.

lowndsie · Post by **lowndsie** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:59 am

There's good instructions on the gallery page on how to post your pics, but if your still having drama's just email them through to me and I'll post them up for you.

Email: jason_lownds@hotmail.com

lowndsie · Post by **lowndsie** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:19 am

Kenny · Post by **Kenny** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:35 am

Yep

I likes it

I have decided that I am gunna colour mine in ........................................ fingernail polish red

Sorry...couldn't help meself

Dunno really...my gun is green sooo....black is prolly the best....what do you's reckon any suggestions of what would look good with green

KY

walking_death · Post by **walking_death** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:38 pm

AAAARRRRGGG ENOUGH with the bluddy nailpolish already

that's funny.......