I hope you find a way to suit what you need.
Barrel fluting v weight saving
- Thread starter Neddle
- Start date
Barrel shortening really does make a huge difference. I’ve done a few of mine recently - I was surprised how good my old loads with slower powders shot.
Shorter barrels carry so much better, especially with a mod. My .308 has a real lump of a barrel but it’s fine to carry with a biathlon. Side carry makes a big difference.
I chopped this off a customers rifle the other day(25mm d 150mm L) and added a 300g DPT moderator . Fluting would have saved another 150-200g and added another maybe £300 to the bill with shipping to specialist and proofing added. The ceracoat was unmarked on the 20” barrel remaining, fluting would have probably messed it up adding another lump of money to rectify.
If you quote my post you're replying to me.
Say you saved 1kg (which I doubt) if you are carrying it "about" then saving 1kg but shoot a couple of roe/1 fallow as an example the fallow could be 25-50-70 kg so I can't see where the weight saving would be of any use?
Again have you offered advice to the OP or just want to keep playing ping pong?
Don’t waste time & money chopping the barrel down, fluting or reprofiling. Just get yourself a wider sling to spread the load on your shoulder - I have an RWS leather sling that is around 2.5” wide where it goes over my shoulder & have no problems carrying a relatively heavy 26” barrelled rifle in a GRS stock with an Alpex on it.
Neddle, A lot of controversy here, and quite a bit of it straying from the main point. You have not mentioned the stock, is it wood ? A good friend of mine is of advancing age and illness. He has drilled two holes completely through the wooden stock of his 204, one small (30mm) and the other larger, (60mm). It has made a difference.
Another option would be the scope. I have a really nice Simmons 1.5 to 6 by 24 that is very light. Could a similar one work for you ? Lastly the moderator. Some are much lighter than others, but could you use your rifle without one ?
Another option would be the scope. I have a really nice Simmons 1.5 to 6 by 24 that is very light. Could a similar one work for you ? Lastly the moderator. Some are much lighter than others, but could you use your rifle without one ?
dropmdead
Well-Known Member
If you like the rifle, be it custom action etc, was the rifle built in bins for stalking and occasional range use, or visa versa?
Have an honest think about the life of the barrel and place where most used...
Possibly best is to repurpose it to the range and buy a light weight stalking rifle.
If it is a Tikka, it's already got a small diameter barrel fitted, so should be already at the lighter end of the scale.
If you are really stuck on the rifle, you can buy a wide strap biathlon sling, light stock, chop the barrel and flute it.
Think about the scope weight too, along with moderator. You can build a 20" barrel rifle with good scope coming in at 6lb.....
Have an honest think about the life of the barrel and place where most used...
Possibly best is to repurpose it to the range and buy a light weight stalking rifle.
If it is a Tikka, it's already got a small diameter barrel fitted, so should be already at the lighter end of the scale.
If you are really stuck on the rifle, you can buy a wide strap biathlon sling, light stock, chop the barrel and flute it.
Think about the scope weight too, along with moderator. You can build a 20" barrel rifle with good scope coming in at 6lb.....
paulbshooting
Well-Known Member
Had all sorts of heavy and very heavy rifles to the hill over the years. I recommend having a gun carrier back pack (i use a vorn lynx) that can be adjusted to fit well. Also useful for other essentials. That aside, stock and scope choice and weight can make a difference
Blaser243
Well-Known Member
I recommend a well-tipped ghillie, personally, and then the weight doesn't matter a jot to me.
paulbshooting
Well-Known Member
Yes if you are been guided
Ronin
Distinguished Member
Thabks Dave - the easiest way to reduce weight of a heavy barrelled rifle is either cut length off (roughly losing 2 oz per inch on an .800” dia profile )
Or reprofile - if a cut rifled barrel
It also helps to get fitter and lose excess lard of one’s own body (this applies to me)
Being at that “certain age” where annual MOT occur this has certainly helped me
Or reprofile - if a cut rifled barrel
It also helps to get fitter and lose excess lard of one’s own body (this applies to me)
Being at that “certain age” where annual MOT occur this has certainly helped me
Fluting looks cool! Therfore reason enough to waste spend a further c£300 on a rifle that, when it comes to re-sale, will be found to be of less value than had you spared it the jaws of a lathe/milling machine.
K
K
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
)
In truth I'm rather partial to a bit of fluting but spiral cuts should be reserved for bolts IMHO.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
K
The thing is you can have all the modifications you want and miss just as well lol.
All these folding stocks, guns looking like they came from the Star Wars props dept and still we have far too many deer also people complaining they can't get any stalking.
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