AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

[z-man]

Guys I am hammering out all my options before I order. If I understand correctly after talking with the great folks at AI in VA that the full round barrels on the factory guns are made in the UK and that the fluted barrels they sell are made here in the US Bartlien. So in that vane I have a couple of questions.

1. In your experience is there an accuracy or quality difference between the US or UK made barrels??

2. I like the looks of the flutes, do the save any real amount of weight on a 20" gun??

Thanks for all your help I appreciate it, it is allot of cash to lay out so I want to chose my setup carefully.

Be safe all and stay cool.

 

[jasonk]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

That's not always true, call Mile High and see what they have, my AX came with a non fluted Bartlein chambered by Dave Tooley. Either way chances are the barrel will shoot, most AIs just do.

Weight savings on a 20" fluted will be less than a pound I'd guess.

 

[mb198]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

Was up there a few months ago and thought they were saying all the barrels now are from Bartlien, but check with Stacey at AI to confirm. They can also answer your other questions, nice people.

 

[tomirwin]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

Just to clarify.
We supply barrels from the UK and USA (Bartlien) on our AE, AW and AX rifles.
The Bartlien is a customer option and on the AX all are to be non fluted. The Bartlien barrel is cut wheras the UK barrels are button. The Bartlien barrels are more expensive with improved performance. You need to contact AINA in Fredericksburg to discuss with Scott Seigmund. The number is on our website. UK barrels are proof tested in the UK and in the USA there is no such requirement.
As far as weight savings and cooling effect of a fluted barrel over a non fluted, we have investigated this and no longer think the benefit is worth the extra cost. We see no accuracy improvement. There is a potential disadvantage with fluted barrels if the machining of the flutes is slightly out of tolerance. In the situation where a lot of rounds are fired in a short time the barrel obviously heats up to a high level. If the barrel is not uniform then there can be a tendency to slightly bow the barrel which will have a negative effect on accuracy.
Again, for further information contact AINA in Virginia.
Tom Irwin
Director
Accuracy International

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

I would not flute a barrel unless you are really trying to come under weight in a competition class. If you are just trying to save a couple ounces on a tactical rifle, look at a different contour or length.

 

[jbell]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

Tom, if I understand correctly all the UK barrels are now button rifled? If so does AI nolonger use the Border barrles, and who make the current UK barrels (LW)?

 

[Powermac]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

I'm not in position to speak about AI's barrels, but border does also produce buttoned rifled barrels under the Archer name.

 

[Emouse]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

For UK shooters we are stuck with LW buttoned barrels as the standard offering. Border cut rifled and buttoned barrels are available and are an improvement. That said, AI do carefully manage what they accept from LW that go directly onto AW's.

Bad barrels from any major manufacturer are indeed rare and Bartlein certainly are as good as anyone else.

 

[BasraBoy]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: z-man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Guys I am hammering out all my options before I order. If I understand correctly after talking with the great folks at AI in VA that the full round barrels on the factory guns are made in the UK and that the fluted barrels they sell are made here in the US Bartlien. So in that vane I have a couple of questions.

1. In your experience is there an accuracy or quality difference between the US or UK made barrels??

2. I like the looks of the flutes, do the save any real amount of weight on a 20" gun??

Thanks for all your help I appreciate it, it is allot of cash to lay out so I want to chose my setup carefully.

Be safe all and stay cool. </div></div>

My AW has the Border 26" heavy target fluted barrel - it was a factory option when I ordered back in 2006.

If you don't like the current options, take the cheapest/standard and then get your barrel of choice fitted.

 

[lvmike]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

My AW came with a 20" fluted plain muzzle border. It is a fantastic barrel. Very accurate and produced speeds of almost 2900fps with 155 class bullets.

Both my AEs came with LW 24" plain tubes and both were the same as above, very accurate and produced great velocity (155s at 2975 with ease).

If the new bartliens are truly an improvement then I will be shocked-- as the existing border and LW barrels are damn good. But I dont doubt AI would pick anything less then the best.

 

[z-man]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

Thanks guys, I am going with the non fluted standard barrel. I can always change it out later be safe. Z

 

[komifornian]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

Fluted - more heat disipation

 

[tomirwin]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

Barrels from Border and LW are fitted to all AI rifles built in the UK and both suppliers make barrels to the same drawings, AI drawings. Border is not special order.
Bartlien is an option in the USA and is a cut barrel with extra pricing.
Tom Irwin
Acccuracy International

 

[hewlett260]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

I like the looks of the fluted barrels, but to me it doesn't matter if its fluted or not as long as it shoots well. I love my standard AW with a Bartlein in 260 Rem.

 

[BLANKSGUNS]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard

Well there are several different stories, reasons and takes on this matter. I personally have found the 20" Fluted .308's to be some of the most accurate and repeatable barrels I have had the pleasure of owning. The 24" is to me the "universal" barrel for many, but once they get the true 20" and some shorter experience, I truly believe they will find there is no real reason to have the longer barrels. If you are a target shooter, 1000yd and like running the lighter bullets, I can see and respect the 24-26" barrel options for that application. For mine, not so much and if I am going to that distance, I would prefer to work the .300WM since its available.

 

[Casey Simpson]

Re: AW Barrels Fluted vs Standard


FLUTED.