Does barrel fluting effect accuracy?

[muleman]

I know that that there are plenty of accurate rifles with fluting my question is more concerned about the timing of cutting flutes. I've heard that flutes cut after the bore is cut can effect the accuracy and fluting should be done before the boring. Just trying to separate the myth from the facts. Could you all share what you know?
Thanks,
Scott

 

[nvbroncrider]

Pac-Nor does fluting after they have completed all the work thats the last thing they do. Mine shoots really well. It depends on the processes they use especially stress relieving. Some manufacturers stress relieve the steel before boring others after.

 

[usmc 89]

I have had my smith flute 4 of my barrels, I haven't had a barrel that didnt shoot well after having it fluted.

 

[IdahoCTD]

I have had my smith flute 4 of my barrels, I haven't had a barrel that didnt shoot well after having it fluted.

Were all of them cut rifled?

Button rifled barrels like to grow internally when recontoured smaller or fluted after everything is done. That's why they lap after everything is done with the barrel.

 

[IdahoCTD]

To answer Scott's question......fluting can do nothing to improve the accuracy. If done wrong it can screw up a barrel and if done right it doesn't change the accuracy. I would not have a barrel fluted outside of the manufacturer for one reason.....they will not warranty a barrel that doesn't shoot if they didn't do the fluting.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I just played with an stw with a shilen I believe is what he said.

it shot 1/2"-3/4" at 100 with factory hsm 180 bergers.

guy wanted rifle lightened up so he took it and got it fluted as well as dropped the A5 mcmillan in place of a lighter hs precision.

He gave me the rifle back to check sight in etc.

its now shooting 4-5" groups at 100 yards.

I thought wtf??

Put the A5 back on and its still at about 1.5 MOA

One instance doesnt show much but thats what I have to share anyway on the subject.

 

[longrangehunter]

I'm gonna go out on a limb on this one, "Don't do it unless you've ordered too heavy a barrel and only to reduce the weight" period!

Accuracy International did a series of tests using three (3) lasers mounted to the action, scope and barrel, the end result was point of impact shift increased due to barrel fluting. I know a few barrel companies that have said not to flute their barrels for this very reason.

Waste of money, spend it on something else.
I

 

[Guy Miner]

Flutes are for music... :mrgreen:

 

[IdahoCTD]

They look cool too. I have a spiral fluted Bartlein on one of my 6.5-300wm's and it does look good. The only reason I bought it is Bartlein started the flutes down the barrel too far so I got a screaming deal on it. I've owned other fluted barrels in the past and none have shot any better than a non fluted barrel and one Lilja HV never shot for squat despite the 400+ $$ price tag. I have another Benchmark for a lighter version 6.5-300wm that is fluted as well so we'll see how it does. Once again i got a deal on it so I bought it.

 

[Guy Miner]

Yeah, I haven't been able to bring myself to spring for the extra money to have a barrel fluted when I'm buying a new barrel.

They do look cool though, and I've seen some shoot very well indeed.

But, it's my cash, and I'd rather just have a round tube for a barrel I guess.

Regards, Guy