Anyone use fluted barrels?

806 guns said:
I feel like carbon fiber barrels have taken over the light weight builds. Under 10 lbs.

I'm working on a 6.5 PRC hunting build with a Benchmark #5 contour straight fluted at 22"

What contours do you use?
Click to expand...
What is your objective?
Do you have time to change your mind and looking for different directions to go?

An UL barrel will shoot as good as a heavy if its made with the same care and quality. A thin barrel will heat up faster and may cause a POI shift sooner.... My old factory thin barrel would shoot only 2 tightly then the 3rd would begin to move. A slightly heavier barrel might shoot 3 or more as the weight goes up before POI shifts from the heat. A carbon barrel is just a pencil thin barrel wrapped up, but don't scratch, ding or chip it... I don't see much practical weight advantage over a quality thin steel barrel. I'm uncertain how fast they heat up and cool down.
Flutes are only good for reducing the weight of a heavier barrel (and not by much...), might as well go thinner if you want an UL rifle. Flutes otherwise do not provide any heating/cooling advantage as its all relative to total surface area. It would be nice to know how much adding flutes reduces weight but I cant imagine enough to make a practical difference over the next size down. They do look attractive and can add that final touch to a build that makes it stand out.
 
Koda_ said:
What is your objective?
Do you have time to change your mind and looking for different directions to go?

An UL barrel will shoot as good as a heavy if its made with the same care and quality. A thin barrel will heat up faster and may cause a POI shift sooner.... My old factory thin barrel would shoot only 2 tightly then the 3rd would begin to move. A slightly heavier barrel might shoot 3 or more as the weight goes up before POI shifts from the heat. A carbon barrel is just a pencil thin barrel wrapped up, but don't scratch, ding or chip it... I don't see much practical weight advantage over a quality thin steel barrel. I'm uncertain how fast they heat up and cool down.
Flutes are only good for reducing the weight of a heavier barrel (and not by much...), might as well go thinner if you want an UL rifle. Flutes otherwise do not provide any heating/cooling advantage as its all relative to total surface area. It would be nice to know how much adding flutes reduces weight but I cant imagine enough to make a practical difference over the next size down. They do look attractive and can add that final touch to a build that makes it stand out.
Click to expand...
My main deal is most CF blanks cost $6-800 vs steel is $4-550 if I can save a few hundred I will. I own carbon fiber barrels they are great but I either buy them at a great deal. Last one I bought new for $500 Carbon six 26" 1-9 twist chambered in 300 Win Mag
 
806 guns said:
My main deal is most CF blanks cost $6-800 vs steel is $4-550 if I can save a few hundred I will. I own carbon fiber barrels they are great but I either buy them at a great deal. Last one I bought new for $500 Carbon six 26" 1-9 twist chambered in 300 Win Mag
Click to expand...
Doesn't sound like the price is worth it, especially in an UL hunting rifle. A thin/lighter steel barrel of equal quality will do the same thing.
IMO a thicker barrel looks cooler, but also my opinion I don't want carbon fiber on a hunting rifle barrel. I would find the heaviest steel contour that still fits your weight goal, then have that fluted to shave maybe a 1/8- 1/4 lb just for good measure and add some attraction to the build.
 

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