07-18-2012, 04:54 PM
I will agree with #2, but #1 is not quite correct as I understand it. Fluting make a barrel stiffer than a barrel that is unfluted but only compared to a smaller diameter barrel that is the diameter of the bottom of the flutes. It might reduce the "sag" of the barrel because it removes some of the weight when looking at a fluted and an unfluted equal diameter barrel, but it might not as a fluted barrel is less stiff than a barrel of equal diameter to the outside of the flutes.
What can be said is that there is more surface area for cooling and that it is a great way to have a larger diameter barrel with less weight.
What can be said is that there is more surface area for cooling and that it is a great way to have a larger diameter barrel with less weight.
Mutt Wrote:Fluting has very little if any effect on accuracy. There are several reasons (benefits) for fluting. The most comon and well known aspect is saving weight .... which you already know. Here are some others .......
1. It makes a barrel more rigid. The flutes make it harder for the barrel to flex. (I'm sure someone won't agree)
2. The flutes create more surface area on the barrel. More surface area allows for more heat exchange with the air, which allows the barrel to cool faster.