[PWNolan]

.....Ask Scott at Volquartsen what he thinks and he'll tell you that technically fluted barrels outshoot round barrels, but the differences are extremely small and unless you've already done everything else you can do to improve accuracy

.....and likely will be more accurate.

Then why isn't anyone using fluted barrels in rimfire benchrest? Not once have I seen a fluted barrel on the line at a sanctioned match. I guess the argument could be that non-fluted barrels are easier to tune but trust me, if fluted barrels were more accurate, even by a small margin, they'd be in use in RFBR. Tuning would be secondary

I'd love to slug a fluted barrel and similar plain barrel to see if there's any noticeable difference

 

[fewfeathers]

This is one of those arguments that has different answers in theory and in reality. Ask Scott at Volquartsen what he thinks and he'll tell you that technically fluted barrels outshoot round barrels, but the differences are extremely small and unless you've already done everything else you can do to improve accuracy, you'll probably never see the difference. He's told people that if you are on a budget get a round barrel and spend your money where it will make more difference like a better trigger, optics etc.

So in theory a fluted barrel has better stiffness and heat dissipation and likely will be more accurate. in reality, it isn't enough better to be noticeable on the average rifle.

There are many barrel profiles: Straight walled, tapered, stepped, hex, flat sided, fluted. All have been incorporated into very successful firearms. For every benefit, there are trade offs. Although I enjoy the inherent accuracy of a target gun, it lacks the intrinsic accuracy I need for field use. For me that's iron sights, off hand in a not so static environment. For me, the hiarchy of benefit of fluting would be balance, weight and then aesthetics.
I really enjoy the expertise and discussions on this site. What I've learned, most of all, is the biggest factors in accuracy is ammo and the trigger yanker.

 

[dbr65]

Fluted or unfluted, each and every barrel is a unique animal. There are so many variables with a barrel -- the material used, the type and quality of the rifling, the chamber design and how uniform it is, its length, whether free-floated or not -- just to name some. And the design limitations and QC in production of the .22 rimfire cartridge lends a few more.

IF you could produce a large number of barrels, half fluted and the other half not (for a statistically valid sampling) that were otherwise exactly the same (to remove all those other variables), and 1) shot the same lot of quality ammo (recognizing that there are still those classic .22 rimfire variables in even the best ammo), 2) under the same ideal conditions, and 3) with the same shooter (and there are also variables there), you MIGHT be able to come to a valid conclusion. Is it really possible to do all that? NO!

So who knows? Buy and use what you like and hope for the best.

Doug

 

[Jive Turkey]

Fluted looks cool. It has to be better based on just that alone.😁

 

[CNC-Dude]

There are 2 good podcasts with Erik Cortina and Frank Green from Bartlien Barrels discussing this and other barrel features being used today....

 

[Matthew17]

Accuracy, negligible
Stiffness, negligible
Cooling, negligible
Aesthetics, personal
Weight, measurable

 

[dbr65]

But aren't spiral flutes even better than straight flutes? You know, they have to be longer for the same length barrel so even more weight reduction and better cooling, and it's bound to make the barrel even stiffer, right? Buy whatever floats your boat. You may get a good one or not -- always luck of the draw.

Doug

 

[rtodalen59]

I have heard of a triangular barrel on a Remington 700 center fire. Is there such a thing?

Yes.

 

[PWNolan]

But aren't spiral flutes even better than straight flutes? You know, they have to be longer for the same length barrel so even more weight reduction and better cooling, and it's bound to make the barrel even stiffer, right? Buy whatever floats your boat. You may get a good one or not -- always luck of the draw.

Doug

The spiral flutes need to be the same twist rate and direction as the rifling otherwise it throws everything out of whack

 

[Mark_Dorman]

In regards to cooling: Yes, technically it will cool faster due to more surface area, but it will also heat up faster due to lower mass compared to a barrel of equal diameter but not fluted. Compared to a barrel of the same mass but smaller overall diameter, this would be an accurate statement. However, as others have mentioned the cooling difference is fairly small.

 

[dbr65]

The spiral flutes need to be the same twist rate and direction as the rifling otherwise it throws everything out of whack

Pat and Mark, my post re spiral flutes was tongue-in-cheek. I was trying to point out the theoretical attributes of flutes (either style) that supposedly go beyond whether someone thinks they look "cool" -- the most likely "cooling" effect in a .22LR. Do they contribute anything beyond the aesthetics (plus or minus)? Highly doubtful but unprovable.

Doug

 

[Jive Turkey]

In regards to cooling: Yes, technically it will cool faster due to more surface area, but it will also heat up faster due to lower mass compared to a barrel of equal diameter but not fluted. Compared to a barrel of the same mass but smaller overall diameter, this would be an accurate statement. However, as others have mentioned the cooling difference is fairly small.

My pencil barreled AR heats up fast, but cools fast. I think we’re on the same page.

 

[Thomasconnor]

Fluted looks cool.....

If you say so....Tom

 

[Milo 2.5]

The spiral flutes need to be the same twist rate and direction as the rifling otherwise it throws everything out of whack

NO, not even close, you could do spiral flutes the opposite direction of the rifling and not miss a beat.

Home | Twisted Barrel

 

[PWNolan]

NO, not even close, you could do spiral flutes the opposite direction of the rifling and not miss a beat.

Home | Twisted Barrel

It makes it shoot more straight...honest

 

[Grantmac]

Good way of reducing overall barrel weight on the receiver end and maintaining weight near the muzzle while complying with rules that require a tapered barrel. Because of this it's becoming common on high end silhouette builds.

 

[ObiJohnKenobe]

A fluted barrel will be lighter than an unfluted barrel of the same diameter, and stiffer than an unfluted barrel of the same weight (and thus smaller diameter). So, you're trying to optimize stiffness for a specific weight by having a larger diameter.

The unlimited benchrest guys don't run fluted barrels. Fluted barrels are common for hunting, varmint shooting, and some forms of competitive shooting. IMO a quality fluted barrel will be so close to an unfluted barrel in accuracy that unless you're shooting from a machine rest you'd never know the difference. On the other hand, a hammer-fisted guy with a milling machine can ruin a great barrel quickly if he doesn't understand how to properly flute a barrel.

I wouldn't shy away from a quality fluted barrel on any .22 or .17 rimfire.

 

[Chickenhater]

From Tony Kidd

“The fluting enhancement in a .22 rimfire is more of an aesthetic or cosmetic feature rather than for cooling purposes.”

Fluting for cooling purposes was obviously directed at their use on CF rifles.

 

[JW22]

I maybe asking this incorrectly but have read over and over about barrel harmonics effecting accuracy, I even use a LimbSaver Harmonic Dampener on my CZ American Synthetic with very positive results but what about fluted vs non fluted barrels? I realize that it all depends on the barrel maker yet read folks say the more a barrel is changed or tampered with then accuracy is degraded. I was just curious if a fluted barrel is inherently as accurate as a non fluted barrel, what say you?

1Rudedawg,

I don't think so accuracy is in the barrel not what's on the outside.
BTW I like fluted barrels.
the Mark III in the middle, I have cleared a KYL rack 2" - 1/4" at 40 yards with it.

 

[JW22]

It makes it shoot more straight...honest

Pat you could be right. when I shoot the straight fluted barrel during a Steel Challenge match, I tend to overrun the plates. When shooting my spiral fluted barrel, the bullet is like a Sandy Koufax curve ball breaking back into the plate for a perfect strike.