I have heard recently that fluted barrels may not shoot as a non fluted barrel. Is there any truth to this? I ask this because I am planning to build an SDM clone, and that calls for a heavily fluted barrel. Is there any evidence to back up this claim, or should I not worry about this issue?
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Fluted barrel accuracy
- Thread starter m1ajunkie
- Start date
Re: Fluted barrel accuracy
Depends on how good a shot you are. If you are really, really good, you would not be asking the question.
Depends on how good a shot you are. If you are really, really good, you would not be asking the question.
Re: Fluted barrel accuracy
I had heard this as well, so I asked 3 barrel makers this question- Broughton, Rock Creek, and I forgot the other one. All were in agreement that if done correctly, fluting would cause no decrease in accuracy. If the flutes are cut too fast however, the process can induce stress in to the barrel which would affect accuracy. (I think that is what they said). So, my advice would be to have the barrel maker do the fluting, and not your buddy with a machine shop.
I had heard this as well, so I asked 3 barrel makers this question- Broughton, Rock Creek, and I forgot the other one. All were in agreement that if done correctly, fluting would cause no decrease in accuracy. If the flutes are cut too fast however, the process can induce stress in to the barrel which would affect accuracy. (I think that is what they said). So, my advice would be to have the barrel maker do the fluting, and not your buddy with a machine shop.
Re: Fluted barrel accuracy
If you question the fluting stress...have it Cryo'ed. Frozen to about -300F then brought back up slowly. Reportedly helps reduce metal stress and make it easier to clean. Accuracy could be helped too.
Google it. Research and see if it's for you.
If you question the fluting stress...have it Cryo'ed. Frozen to about -300F then brought back up slowly. Reportedly helps reduce metal stress and make it easier to clean. Accuracy could be helped too.
Google it. Research and see if it's for you.
Re: Fluted barrel accuracy
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sparks1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you question the fluting stress...have it Cryo'ed. Frozen to about -300F then brought back up slowly. Reportedly helps reduce metal stress and make it easier to clean. Accuracy could be helped too.
Google it. Research and see if it's for you. </div></div>
Thats what I do. If its fluted it gets Cryod
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sparks1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you question the fluting stress...have it Cryo'ed. Frozen to about -300F then brought back up slowly. Reportedly helps reduce metal stress and make it easier to clean. Accuracy could be helped too.
Google it. Research and see if it's for you. </div></div>
Thats what I do. If its fluted it gets Cryod
Re: Fluted barrel accuracy
Guys on the cryo thing. Doing this after it's left the factory on a fair number of high end barrels will void your warranty. So it might be wise to check first.
That said, the large percentage of high end barrel makers stress relieve, & hand lap at several different stages in the barrel's manufacture. Including stress relieving the steel before any machining is done, after the bore's been drilled, & then again after the rifling's cut. And some also do this again post fluting.
Such varies from maker to maker, but... odds are they have a good handle on what works & what doesn't. Otherwise they'd be looking for work in another field.
Guys on the cryo thing. Doing this after it's left the factory on a fair number of high end barrels will void your warranty. So it might be wise to check first.
That said, the large percentage of high end barrel makers stress relieve, & hand lap at several different stages in the barrel's manufacture. Including stress relieving the steel before any machining is done, after the bore's been drilled, & then again after the rifling's cut. And some also do this again post fluting.
Such varies from maker to maker, but... odds are they have a good handle on what works & what doesn't. Otherwise they'd be looking for work in another field.
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