Looking to get a portion my 308ar barrel spiral fluted. We're do I send it?

[Ksgunguy]

High guys looking to see what opinions I have when it comes to venders that can spiral flute my 308 AR barrel?
My goal is to reduce weight. Since I might be getting a 18.5" barrels that I want to make lighter for hunting.
Besides reducing the weight will it also increase the accuracy ? That's the negative side of fluting? Decreased longevity of the barrel?

 

[ORD]

Just run a quick search for fluting here on the Hide as this topic re: pros/cons/etc. of having it done has been beaten to death so many times I don't even want to try to count. Simply put though...a) fluting won't have @#$% to do with accuracy or barrel life; b) fluting will shed some weight (how much depends on how heavy your barrel was to being with, how crazy aggressive you get with the fluting if/when you do it in terms of depth/size of the flutes, and how much of the barrel you flute, such as only in front of the journal or under the handguards as well); and c) depending on the barrel, how its made, etc., etc., etc., anytime you start recontouring and otherwise changing it by fluting, etc. you can potentially @#$% it up...thus, if you really want a lighter/lightweight barrel on your .308 AR, just buy one of that profile/contour to begin with and skip all the smithing after the fact. You don't need a 3.5-4lb barrel on your basic .308 AR to make it highly accurate.

If you decide to go for it, check with Steve and the guys at ADCO here as they do very good fluting/reprofiling work and have quick turn around on that sort of job (~2wks): https://www.adcofirearms.com/shopservices/shop_qnew.cfm?code=Barrel Fluting

 

[redirt78]

I agree with ORD. Probably best just to buy one that is fluted. Out of curiosity, what gun/barrel do you have?

 

[diverdon]

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...s/233827-big-idaho-coyote-his-handy-work.html boltfluter did a nice job on his personal rifle, I'd ask him about it if you are sure you want to do it.

pics of boltfluter's rifle on link at beginning of post.

 

[Ksgunguy]

Fulton armory will be having 18.5" medium weight chrome line available in march some time. Hoping to get the barrel down to 2.5 pounds

 

[ORD]

Fulton armory will be having 18.5" medium weight chrome line available in march some time. Hoping to get the barrel down to 2.5 pounds

I'm not sure where you got your numbers on that particular barrel weighing as much as you seem to think it does, but their "medium weight" barrels barrels in the 18.5" length generally only weight ~2.8lbs. BUT...because of the contour of that barrel, there isn't much material (at least under the handguard and in front of the journal) to go hog wild with fluting it. Actually, that barrel has a pretty heavy, 0.936" journal, but it is only ~0.750" or less under the handguards and in front of the journal to the muzzle. If you go off fluting it, you'll probably get it down below 2.5lbs, but I would pass on the Fulton barrel altogether and opt for a different barrel of a lighter contour/profile from the get-go.

For a lighter weight, hunting/stalking setup on a DPMS-pattern .308 AR, I'd likely opt for something along the lines of the Mega MATEN .308 18" barrel which is guaranteed sub-MOA with match ammo comes in at ~2.75lbs (see here: https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=4116 ) or the Rainier Arms UltraMatch 18" barrel (also sub-MOA guaranteed, weighs in at ~2.6lbs (see here: https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2236 ) or even the Rainier Select or Match grade barrels which will likely get you into the same weight range but at a slightly lower price point.

 

[Ksgunguy]

sweet, thanks for the info

do you have any suggestions for barrels that are chrome lined for durability and that takes a rifle length gas tube? that is no more than 18" long? really want a 16" barrel

 

[ORD]

sweet, thanks for the info

do you have any suggestions for barrels that are chrome lined for durability and that takes a rifle length gas tube? that is no more than 18" long? really want a 16" barrel

16" barrel with a rifle-length gas system is a NO-GO! You'll experience function/reliability problems with a shorter, 16" barrel and a RLG tube that's nearly that long in and of itself (~15-3/16).

As for CL 18" or so AR 308 barrels with RLGS...you already know about Fulton and that's it as best I can think of off hand without going custom (maybe Criterion who actually makes the tubes for Fulton). Nemo Arms does an 18", RLGS, that's melonited for ~$275 but it'll likely weigh closer to 3lbs (and NO FLUTING after the fact with that barrel).

Aside from those, if you really want a CL, 18" (to 18.5"), RLGS, 308 AR barrel, you are probably looking at a custom job as I can't recall any that match your criteria exactly off the top of my head.

 

[Little gator]

High guys looking to see what opinions I have when it comes to venders that can spiral flute my 308 AR barrel?
My goal is to reduce weight. Since I might be getting a 18.5" barrels that I want to make lighter for hunting.
Besides reducing the weight will it also increase the accuracy ? That's the negative side of fluting? Decreased longevity of the barrel?

Look up Dixie Precision Rifles! Go to there services page. They do custom fluting and anything else you can think of. Most fluting is $175 they do a diamond fluting that's beautiful I "plan" on sending mine to them.

As far as improving shooting.....it will change the harmonics...which could be a + or - I am not one to say how. Someone correct me if I'm off base.

 

[mdmorrow]

I had twisted barrel do my bolt gun. It turned out awesome. I'm sure they'll do an AR barrel as well. Look them up, they're out of Wyoming.