Why would I want to flute my bolt and barrel? Is this transformation going to improve the overall weapon performance or is more about a cosmetic change? What is the research showing vis-a-vis a comparison fluted vs. non-fluted?
Fluted bolt and barrel??
- Thread starter Cat64
- Start date
Just for looks. I did mine though just cause I've always wanted it. If you run a barrel burner match gun like a .243 or 6 Creed (anything in that family really) it would be a waste of money to flute your barrel.
Ok...and to extend the realm of this question a bit...would I want a chassis or a stock to replace a factory stock on my rifle?
It's really your preference, and I would recommend getting behind a rifle with each one to see which you prefer the most. I prefer a fiberglass stock due to my cold winters and weight savings.
Fluting a barrel will not do anything for you except making the barrel lighter which could be accomplished by just purchasing a lighter barrel.
The old myths that a fluted barrel is more accurate or cools off faster have been debunked by scientific study. A reason that companies like Accuracy International no longer offer fluted barrels.
The old myths that a fluted barrel is more accurate or cools off faster have been debunked by scientific study. A reason that companies like Accuracy International no longer offer fluted barrels.
AI tested fluting with the AX by attaching lasers to the scope action and barrel firing 1 round a minute for extended periods of time and found the action and sight stayed on the same point. The barrel laser was moving moving all over the place and they were able to determine the flutes weren't heating and cooling evenly. As far as bolts, mostly cosmetic however AI bolts are fluted at certain points to allow them to function when frozen. As far as stock vs chassis, its really up to you, ergonomics vs your preference should be your determining factor. Hope this helps.
Can you provide links to the scientific studies? Are there any studies or anything you have done yourself to do a side by side comparison?
Meanwhile, the flutes in a bolt assist with dirt build up. My personal experience with my GA Precision rifle that has a fluted bolt is that it collects the dirt and dust in the flutes, keeping them away from the friction areas between the bolt and receiver. But I did not have any other scientific data to confirm that, only my own observations.
Now do the flutes in the bolt collect dust themselves? Would your slick bolt have as much buildup? My slick bolts never had an issue, and my fluted bolts always seemed to collect more crap. I no longer have fluted bolts.
Just my experiences between the two. Function was never an issue with either though.
Just my experiences between the two. Function was never an issue with either though.
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I saw the first legitimate use of barrel flutes here about a week back. Someone busted their bolt handle off, and used the flutes as an area for the punch to rest on while he pounded the bolt open.
Fluting a barrel does something, just not much. See here for more detail: Fluted Barrel | Bison Ballistics
Fluting a barrel does something, just not much. See here for more detail: Fluted Barrel | Bison Ballistics
Fluting the barrel would let you use a larger barrel diameter that is the same weight as a smaller, solid diameter.
To reduce the barrel weight, your options are to use a smaller diameter contour, use a shorter length, or machine flutes.
Fluting the bolt, as mentioned by others above, was intended to provide a channel for dirt/debris so that the bolt would not bind. I have Surgeon actions with bolts that were done this way (very shallow flutes) when they were manufactured, not a cosmetic thing.
To reduce the barrel weight, your options are to use a smaller diameter contour, use a shorter length, or machine flutes.
Fluting the bolt, as mentioned by others above, was intended to provide a channel for dirt/debris so that the bolt would not bind. I have Surgeon actions with bolts that were done this way (very shallow flutes) when they were manufactured, not a cosmetic thing.
...and meanwhile, the smooth bolt body collected no dirt and dust because it didn't have a bunch of shelves for it to collect on. At the same time, no dirt and dust was forced into the friction areas between the smooth bolt body and receiver because again, there was no slots in that area allowing it in.
When you say "allowing it (dirt/sand/dust) in", you leave me confused. Are you saying that the system is sealed somehow? I live in the desert and my matches are in the high desert where it can get really windy. I have to clean a lot of dirt and dust off the rifle, especially in places where this is an attractant, like oil. So my bolt face is pretty much open to the wind carried dirt and dust. So how does a solid bolt not allow these elements in?
Does anyone have any scientific research or first hand knowledge of this fluted versus non-fluted bolt debate?
I read the link to the article from damoncali. Great article! Thank you!
Scientific, LOL: http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...220-my-opinion-fluted-bolts-field-rifles.html
Edit: in your windy, high desert matches, how many malfunctions have you seen directly related to a non-fluted bolt body? Certainly some, right?
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NevadaZielMeister- What part of northern Nevada are you in? I'm in Wellington and experience the same weather patterns as you while out shooting and hiking around.
I went to unfluted bolts because, to me, it seemed the fluted bolts collected more dust in the flutes because...well...they were there (the flutes). On the other hand, with my smooth bolts I never noticed a huge buildup. If a light layer was on the bolt, a simple swipe of the finger sufficed to clean it off. The fluted bolts held the grit.
I have nothing scientific, just my personal preference.
I went to unfluted bolts because, to me, it seemed the fluted bolts collected more dust in the flutes because...well...they were there (the flutes). On the other hand, with my smooth bolts I never noticed a huge buildup. If a light layer was on the bolt, a simple swipe of the finger sufficed to clean it off. The fluted bolts held the grit.
I have nothing scientific, just my personal preference.
I have never seen a bolt failure. I would imagine that a bolt failing might be due to wear and slop, causing inaccuracy in the long run. Sand and dirt against a bearing surface would expand the gap between the two and create this problem, right?
As for your "scientific" experiment, I laugh with you. That test was pointless, but funny. I wonder if any mechanics can discuss how a car engine handles the problem. Are there any mechanical engineers in this thread to discuss?
I once pulled case off a stuck bullet during a match, spilling powder all over the action. I blew it out, and tried to chamber another round, but the bolt got stuck - the powder had wedged itself in somewhere. It wasn't an unfixable, pound it with a hammer type of problem, but it required smacking the bolt open, removing it, and more carefully cleaning out the action. So, yes, crud can lock up an action. I doubt very much a fluted bolt changes this at all. There are no flutes in the area that gets locked up.
That test was done in fun but I certainly don't think it was "pointless". It shows that a fluted bolt collects more debris than a smooth bolt. Where does that debris go when you work the action?
Mechanics discussing how a car engine handles what problem? You just said you have never seen a bolt failure. How does a car engine relate to a bolt action rifle? You are creating a solution to a problem that does not exist. I personally don't think it is even a solution to a non-existent problem. And wear and slop, I'd love to see after 10k rounds which action had more slop in it. I bet the difference would be almost immeasurable. The finish on the raised flutes would probably wear off faster due to the higher contact pressure though.
