Barrel Fluting

[point45]

Originally Posted by Norseman

I have a new .280 Ruger M-77 Hawkeye, with a stainless steel barrel. I'd like to have it fluted. I found an advertisment in The Rifleman Magazine from a gunsmith in AZ, who will do the job for $195.00. Does anybody know if this is the going rate? Does it really reduce weight by 1/2 lbs? Any experience with this?

Machining the barrel will introduce new stresses into the metal and change the way it shoots. This can be minimized if the process is setup properly.

Weight reduction will depend on how much material they remove form the barrel.

It does not add any rigidity, removing material will always reduce strength. Is just that usually barrels have a very high safety factor and can tolerate this reduction.

It will cool down faster because of the increase in surface area and there is less material present. Less material means lower internal energy. However i dont think the increase in surface area is usually that significant.

go grab a 1/2 pound weight and see if the difference is worth $195, now if youre doing it for looks then by all means go nuts.

[sealbeach]

Originally Posted by point45

Machining the barrel will introduce new stresses into the metal and change the way it shoots. This can be minimized if the process is setup properly.

Weight reduction will depend on how much material they remove form the barrel.

It does not add any rigidity, removing material will always reduce strength. Is just that usually barrels have a very high safety factor and can tolerate this reduction.

It will cool down faster because of the increase in surface area and there is less material present. Less material means lower internal energy. However i dont think the increase in surface area is usually that significant.

go grab a 1/2 pound weight and see if the difference is worth $195, now if youre doing it for looks then by all means go nuts.

Great post! I like the way you think!