No sir, it is not fluted. The barrel measure something like 25" or 26" as it is. 24" is the intended finished length. I wouldn't consider it a light weight barrel. Nor would I consider it a heavy sporter. Somewhat of a medium, medium weight sporter. I had plans to build another 338 for plains game in Namibia where shots can be a tad "far", but I wanted a rifle I could stand to carry long distances. I chose this contour because its heavy enough to allow the gun to "hang" the target, but its not so heavy that it can't be carried up and down a mountain(then up again).