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Gunsmithing Fluting a barrel after its been shot

J

JDB

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 20, 2010
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DFW, Texas
#1
Guys, I recently had a Krieger #6 barrel cut for 280AI and installed.

I have put about 200 rounds through it. I want to take out some weight and have the barrel fluted. Will this have any ill effects on accuracy? WIll this induce stress into the barrel and have negative effects?
 
#2
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

I wish I had a dollar for every time this has been asked

Weight can be cut from alot of other places than fluting the barrel , you would probably drop more weight cutting 2" off the barrel and not worry about messing up accuracy , yes you will loose some velocity but I promise a deer at 500 yds will never know the difference.

What are all the components of your rifle , as far as stock , rings and bases and scope
 
#3
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

a machinist would have to be doing something very wrong to <span style="font-style: italic">induce</span> stress while removing material from a part
wink.gif
 
#6
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

I'd flute it before wacking off a few inches. You went to the AI version for a reason, typically that is extra velocity. Why loose it by giving it a shorter barrel?
 
#8
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joe40x</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shilen won't do it and Hart's will only do it before it is rifled. I'm guessing that they know what they are talking about! </div></div>

Both of those barrels are buttoned not cut rifled
 
#9
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

While this is true, I don't know that it matters. Fluting induces stress to the metal. Maybe I am wrong...If so, educate me please. I learn something here every day!
 
#10
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joe40x</div><div class="ubbcode-body">While this is true, I don't know that it matters. Fluting induces stress to the metal. Maybe I am wrong...If so, educate me please. I learn something here every day! </div></div>
You are in fact wrong. Stress in metal is relieved when material is removed not induced.
 
#11
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

There is less stress in the steel on a cut barrel than a button rifled or hammer forged barrel. Many premium barrel makers will flute after the fact. GAP will flute a cut rifled blank after the fact...
 
#12
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

I have been debating the same thing but its really more of a personal preference vs actual function (weight). My smith told me he doesn't advise it.
He told me he has seen it done after the fact (not fluted by the barrel manufacture) with NO side effects. More less I gathered that its a gamble and a risk.
I know there are does and don'ts as far as going slow and making shallow cuts (don't know if thats the correct way to say it but in my terms it os what it is)to not work harden anything and all but its still a risk.
Basically I'm not going to give him the opportunity to say "I tried to tell ya"
smile.gif

I'm sure this could go in the same filling cabinet as barrel break in, and how often to clean. Depends on who you ask!! My .02 on it is trust you builder and take his advise if thats who you choose and trust to steer you in the right direction
smile.gif
 
#13
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joe40x</div><div class="ubbcode-body">While this is true, I don't know that it matters. Fluting induces stress to the metal. Maybe I am wrong...If so, educate me please. I learn something here every day! </div></div>
You are in fact wrong. Stress in metal is relieved when material is removed not induced.
</div></div>

Correct , if you take a button rifled barrel the grooves are put their by driving (or pulling) a carbide tool "button" through the bore and this drives the metal and compresses it , causing alot of stress to be put inot the barrle , if you go and cut flutes in a finished barrel their will most likely be some bore flucuations due to the stress relief.
Ive seen hammer forged and button rifled barrles shoot great after fluting but the flute were way more cosemetic than functional as they were pretty shallow and ive seen good buttoned barrles ruined after being fluted.

a cut rifled barrle will have less issues than a buttoned barrel but still if its not done properly then you can have issues. All in all the weight reduction will be minimal and if your not trying to make a wieght class for comp shooting then why risk it , do you realy think you will notice a 3-5 ounce weight reduction?
 
#16
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

I broke my toe with a fluted Krieger barrel that slid out of a poorly sealed shipping tube. The ounces of material taken out in the fluting made do difference to the toe, and odds are it won't make a big difference in what you carry on your shoulder.

Steve Satern of Satern Barrels does cut rifling and will ONLY flute prior to reaming final bore diameter.

As the Viking replied to the Arab in 'Eater's of the Dead' when he complained of sword weight- 'Grow Stronger!'
 
#17
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

Theres a major custom rifle company out there that we flute after install for alot and have never had a complaint. Ideally it should be done before final lapping though. my 2 cents, for what it worth...
Chris
Benchmark barrels
 
#18
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

The main reason not to flute a finished barrel is you will affect the bore size in the areas of fluting.You may re lap the barrel to even the barrel bore but I would not take the chance.Cutting and re-crowning is the best approach to your problem besides if your barrel is tapered it will be more stiff when shortened.
 
#19
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

For a CUT rifled barrel:

Send it to Brux, have it fluted, reinstall, go on with your life.

It'll shoot just fine.

For a BUTTON rifled barrel:

Who knows? I did it once and got lucky. Might be fine, may not be fine. Only one way to find out!
 
#20
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

If your barrel is a heavy contour and you go wide in place of deep you should be ok. Make the flutes the same width as the uncut portions of the barrel. (use a wide cutter and go the appropriate depth to achieve this)
 
#21
Re: Fluting a barrel after its been shot

if you want to remove the weight fluting will help and being cut it should be OK. Listen to Chris at benchmark he doen know a bit about barrels. if people think there is not a lot to be removed you can get around a pound out of a heavy barrel with Spiral Fluting if you can get Campfield Customs to do it they are realy busy.

Fluting should be done before the final lapping but if fluted correctly it should be OK and you can also have the barrel re lapped after the fluting to remove any irreglarities from the bore. we flute barrels and have done both botton and cut barrels without any effect on them but we always lap the button barrels after fluting. Best thing to do though is to think about the build up front and have the barrel fluted at the factory but as you already have it i would get a competent company to flute it for you.
 
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