What are the benefits of having a bolt fluted? Is it more cosmetic than function? Or is it to clear sand/debris quickly?
Benefits of a fluted bolt?
- Thread starter smoothy8500
- Start date
Mostly aesthetics but I believe AI does theirs because they claim it helps under really cold conditions when the bolt and action freeze up.
Equate it like this:
If you like a miniskirt, one that is more "mini" is better cause it looks more "gooder" right?
Fluting is much the same.
As I have stated before, there's an extreme example of when it does become a "thing". Have a room temp rifle suddenly exposed to heavy snowfall. When it melts, then freezes again, the gun will turn into an ice cube. In this circumstance, fluting does chew through it better than non fluted.
C.
The story behind this can be found here:
link to an earlier thread where this is talked about in more detail
Last edited:
Of all the actions I have owned and used I feel like the non fluted bolts are smoother and have a less tendency to bind. I have never had any issues with an action freezing up and I shoot in some nasty shit!
Fluting has put more pressure on the smaller area and now it doesn’t feel as smooth or gentle. It’s not bad mind you, it’s just not as floaty as before.
Still looks cool and was on sale
Still looks cool and was on sale
Helps you run bolt faster, it channels wind resistance. If it's spiral fluted. Make sure they are spiraling in the correct direction. It should match barrel twist.
Having said that, I cant tell any difference in mine.
Having said that, I cant tell any difference in mine.
Reduces weight by 2 squirrel farts. May help when battling the Yetis in the Himalayas right after you get out of your heated Eurocopter 365.
And it looks cool.
And it looks cool.
Ok, I can somewhat see this although I would think ice behind/around the lugs doing more to lock up the action than clinging to the bolt body. Makes sense.
Ever scraped freezing rain off a windshield? Water into ice is damn near about like epoxy.
