Barrel Fluting Options - 2025

[Cearbhall_Sponaugle]

I'm looking at the current options for fluting stainless barrels and am surprised by the varied weights out there.

For a 26" Light Palma barrel, threaded 5-8x24, this is what I've been quoted (as a reference point):

4.7 lbs from Bugholes
3.5 lbs from Preferred Barrel Blanks
3.0 lbs from Long Rifles Inc. (meeting carbon weight)
3.75 lbs from Patriot Valley Arms

(For comparison a Proof Research Sendero Carbon Fiber 26" barrel is listed as 3.25 lbs)

Clearly there are major weight differences so I'm curious if some of these options deliver on the quoted weight reduction.

Please chime in with your experience with, especially the more extreme, fluting for stainless barrels.

 

[smoothy8500]

I've often wondered how much weight savings there is after fluting? 1 oz.? Or more, like 2, 3, 4oz.?

 

[Cearbhall_Sponaugle]

Updated with new data.

The LRI fluting looks very impressive.

 

[ohiofarmer]

Here are some 27” Bartlein 400MODBB MTU blanks that LRI just did. (6mm bore for reference) I don’t know what they weighed beforehand but I know unchambered MTUs weight a lot more than these! The Murder Hornet is 4lbs. 15.5oz and both of the Pattern X are identical at 5lbs. 0.5ozs.

 

[Cearbhall_Sponaugle]

That LRI fluting is very impressive.

Appreciate you posting!