I have a fairly new FN SPR A1 308 24" barrel that has not been shot 15 times. The gun is super accurate putting 5 175 federal gmm into basically one hole, but however I would like to take off about two inches of the barrel and have it fluted to help reduce some of the weight. I have two other rem700 308 rifles that shoot very well also but I would use the FN more if it did not weigh quite as much. So does anyone have any suggestions or do and dont's about having it fluted? It is a very large diameter barrel so I would not think it would be hurt by this process. As long as the person knows what they are doing. Also I sure don't want the accuracy affected because of the accuracy I already have with it not being broken in. Any suggestions on who can do the fluting and about to do or not do would be appreciated.
Gunsmithing Will fluting a FN SPR A1 hurt the accuracy?
- Thread starter Willie Miller V
- Start date
And it was stress relieved before or after it was fluted or not at all? Do you have any idea how FN cuts the flutes? Are they formed during the forging process or cut in later?
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I know the barrel is a chrome lined barrel, and some companies that flute barrels do some type of cryogenic freezing or stress relieving after to treat the barrel after being fluted, but as far as that I have no idea what all is done.
I really would like to have the gun in a 260 rem caliber but obviously I would have to put another barrel on it and have it fluted before I got I from the manufacture
I personally wouldn't try to flute a chrome lined, hammer forged barrel that's already shooting great just to save a fist full of ounces.
It came like that- I am sure they did
I've fluted two barrels with success, but none were hammer forged.
I've fluted two barrels with success, but none were hammer forged.
There are people who believe you should not flute button rifled barrels because of the stress involved. I know many people have had it done with no problems. Talk to your smith and go on his recommendation. I dont think its a good idea to cut the barrel down because thats asking for trouble with the chrome lined barrel. You would be farther ahead to have another barrel put on
Thanks I appreciate the professional advice after thinking a great deal I don't really want to mess with a rifle that has the potential of shooting 1/4 minute groups when I can put 1/2 groups through it and it not even been broken in. I would rather sell it to someone who wants that particular rifle and I can show that the gun will shoot lights out and there is no telling what it can do when broken in properly. I have already had three people contact me about purchasing the rifle and I would rather sell it and find a 260 with a heavy fluted barrel already built that way. I have 2 other 308 that shoot 1/2 or so and would even possibly have one of them rebarreled in a 260. I have a custom 280 AI with a fluted Douglas sporter barrel that shoots less than 1/2 moa and a GA Precision Templar action 300wsm that does the same. I have been lucky with the rifles that I have gotten and the ones that would not shoot less than 1 moa have left the building. Except for a Savage 6.5 creedmoor that I never should have sold. The 260 would be for mostly my 11 year old son to hunt deer with and dad to play and hunt with as well. Just wanting a little lighter gun with a little less recoil without putting a brake on it.
