Barrel fluting v weight saving

[Utectok]

Obviously as has been mentioned I’m in the stay off the pies category of middle aged stalker… but I’m also a fan of long barrels but not heavy ones. Like most I started with a varmint profile as that will be more accurate? But I soon realised for 90% of my shooting a standard profile is absolutely perfect. I’ve never noticed groups affected by the barrel heating up (Phoenix barrel) which can affect some barrels (poorly made?) I’ve heard? I’d rebarrel in a lighter profile….

 

[Bavarianbrit]

If you really want to waste money, spiral fluting is a good option, and all the BS that comes with it (the spiral follows the rifling twist )

Now then, if the spiral was cut in the opposite direction to the rifling would that change anything? Discuss.

 

[ahenry34]

I did a little excessive this year to try and cut down the weight of my stalking rifle without compromising on barrel length.

The realised savings are 1100grams, you could save a further 130-180grams substituting a x108 for a Freyr & Devik 149/196

But in reality I wanted a new rifle and this is how I justified it, 40% of the “weight saving” is in the bipod which I only use at the range anyway

• Mag 60g
• Bolt 350g
• Stock 1560g (GRS Fenris)
• Barrellled action 1560g (howa 1500)
• Bottom metal and action screws 40g
• Mod 330g (RCC hunter)
• Bipod 460g (Buffalo River)
• Pic rail 65g (Brittania)
• Rings 100g (Nikko Sterling)
• Optic 670g (Helix Element)

Total 5’150g - 5’200g


Bergara b14 carbon = 2900

+670g Helix Element 8x56
+70g Hawkins Precision Scope Mounts
+337g for Stalon X180

Total is 3977g

 

[Bowland blades]

Hi,
I own a 6.5CM I'm with Phonex 26" Srainless barrel. The rifle is heavy to carry about, so I'm thinking if ways to reduce weight and as I see it there's 3 options, fluting,reprofiling the barrel or cutting the barrel back?
What's everyone's opinions?

Fluting will not reduce weight by a real meaningful amount , but it will reduce the weight of your wallet paying for it LOL Guesstimate an inch or inch and a half off the weight max ?
Get a higher quality smaller / lighter moderator of high quality and cut that barrel back ! the velocity will not be much at all and remember its all weight off the far end ( the rifle is re-ballanced ) making it feel lighter than you might suspect . The Creed is a modern efficient cartridge and swapping to a faster powder can negate a few inches a few inches . I personally cut some off most std barrels

 

[Greenmist]

Now then, if the spiral was cut in the opposite direction to the rifling would that change anything? Discuss.

I'm sure some would say due to opposing forces or torsion it will be stiffer

 

[JTO]

Are barrels available that are already fluted?

 

[BE Precision]

Are barrels available that are already fluted?

some barrel manufacturers offer fluting

 

[JTO]

I can see that straight fluting can maintain some stiffness, but I would need some convincing that spiral fluting would achieve the same, unless it was purely superficial for reasons of vanity.

 

[VSS]

I'm sure some would say due to opposing forces or torsion it will be stiffer

That would seem logical.

 

[Greenmist]

unless it was purely superficial for reasons of vanity.

As is all fluting

 

[Rafter]

Doing the marhs regarding stiffness of a fluted barrel vs a equivalent weight non fluted, the only appreciable advantage is an increase in surface area to hasten heat transfer - in the same way a radiator or heat exchanger works. Stiffness is very similar when the weights vs lengths are equivalent.
As to a comment about only reprofiiling cut rifled barrels, you do realize that button rifled barrels are rifled in a straight blank, and profiled after that, don't you? You can't button rifle a profiled blank as you can with cut rifling - hence reboring is a cut process, but all button rifled barrels are profiled after rifling.

 

[monarman]

£130 quid for fluting and re bead blasting by Mike Norris.... done whilst I waited.
Rifle feels a tad lighter and balances a bit better.... looks better too considering its a tool for a job and no cabinet queen...

 

[moeggesit]

If you rifle is more of a target setup, probably best to replace it with a purpose build stalking rifle. A lot of target rifles appears to be marketed as stalking rifles but totally impractical. I like shorter barrels and if fluting is reasonable cost, do both, if you don’t want a new rifle.

 

[alled12]

I did a little excessive this year to try and cut down the weight of my stalking rifle without compromising on barrel length.

The realised savings are 1100grams, you could save a further 130-180grams substituting a x108 for a Freyr & Devik 149/196

But in reality I wanted a new rifle and this is how I justified it, 40% of the “weight saving” is in the bipod which I only use at the range anyway

• Mag 60g
• Bolt 350g
• Stock 1560g (GRS Fenris)
• Barrellled action 1560g (howa 1500)
• Bottom metal and action screws 40g
• Mod 330g (RCC hunter)
• Bipod 460g (Buffalo River)
• Pic rail 65g (Brittania)
• Rings 100g (Nikko Sterling)
• Optic 670g (Helix Element)

Total 5’150g - 5’200g


Bergara b14 carbon = 2900

+670g Helix Element 8x56
+70g Hawkins Precision Scope Mounts
+337g for Stalon X180

Total is 3977g

You could have halved the weight of the stock on the howa with a carbon fibre one. Most run between 500g (Christensen Arms) and 750/800grams (MDT HNT26/Edge). The same for the bipod there are fair few manufacturers, for rings Hawkins featherweights are about 65 to 85grams for a set, good quality to. By the time you add all that lot up its getting expensive which as you stated you wanted a new rifle would be the easiest and cheapest option.

 

[ahenry34]

You could have halved the weight of the stock on the howa with a carbon fibre one. Most run between 500g (Christensen Arms) and 750/800grams (MDT HNT26/Edge). The same for the bipod there are fair few manufacturers, for rings Hawkins featherweights are about 65 to 85grams for a set, good quality to. By the time you add all that lot up its getting expensive which as you stated you wanted a new rifle would be the easiest and cheapest option.

Hawkins precision rings inbound for my new system too.

Would be interesting to see if their bottom metal and hunter magazine are a comparable weight to the factory Bergara equipment

 

[ofbiro]

Is it legal to shorten a barrel, without sending the firearm to proof house?

 

[VSS]

Is it legal to shorten a barrel, without sending the firearm to proof house?

I think reproofing would only be required if you're intending to sell it, but I may be wrong.

 

[tackb]

Is it legal to shorten a barrel, without sending the firearm to proof house?

this is an interesting one that came up regarding threading for moderators , the proof house then started stamping the barrel just behind the threading , almost as if they were trying to create more work for themselves yet they can't keep up with their current workload

personally i don't think it should be required