Fluted Barrels Are Of The Devil?

[clinkoutin]

Dan Lilja seems to think it works, and he's made barrels for guys that hold many records.

[totus44]

And the cooling 'benefit' is only half the story. True it will cool faster than the same barrel unfluted. But the fluted barrel also heats up much faster. A side by side comparison has shown that after a successive rate of fire, time to return to room temperature still takes longer for the fluted barrel.

Folks have to look at fluted barrels in reverse. Rather than a hogged out bull barrel, think of a pencil barrel with fins about the circumference. From that perspective the primary advantage is the "cool factor" not the physics.

[CarlB]

With a fluted barrel you do have more surface area and a better heat sink effect. #7 Bartlein and #9 Krieger contour barrels are axel thick and do have quite a large surface already which still is a very large surface area for cooling. My motto is "Don't fall in love with your barrel", it's an expendable. I throw them away about twice a year for new ones because they are shot out.

[Donk310]

BLA BLA BLA. You ain't no sniper. If you want a fluted barrel, get a fluted barrel. If you just want what other say to get, then continue on.

[ar15barrels]

Maybe you didn't word this quite right?

I worded it 100% correct.
Can you find any incorrect facts in the statement?

[ar15barrels]

And the cooling 'benefit' is only half the story. True it will cool faster than the same barrel unfluted. But the fluted barrel also heats up much faster. A side by side comparison has shown that after a successive rate of fire, time to return to room temperature still takes longer for the fluted barrel.

Heating and cooling rate is primarily a function of mass.
The surface area is a far smaller factor in the equation.
Two barrels of the same weight will heat up at the same rate, regardless of fluting.

[ElvenSoul]

Taste Great!
Less Filling!

[totus44]

Heating and cooling rate is primarily a function of mass.
The surface area is a far smaller factor in the equation.
Two barrels of the same weight will heat up at the same rate, regardless of fluting.

As a generalization, yes. Conduction/diffusion, convection, radiation and advection can all come in to play - the overall geometry dictates the components of the heat transfer equation.

Typicall you see comparisons of unfluted vs fluted where the OD are equal. If we're tall ng equal mass, OD and minimal wall thicknesses will be different.

Fluting serves aesthetics well, isn't that sufficient for fluting advocates?

[ar15barrels]

Fluting serves aesthetics well, isn't that sufficient for fluting advocates?

People primarily choosing based on cosmetics usually want to justify their cosmetic choices as having a purpose other than cosmetics as choosing only based on cosmetics is so mall ninja...

[Donk310]

People primarily choosing based on cosmetics usually want to justify their cosmetic choices as having a purpose other than cosmetics as choosing only based on cosmetics is so mall ninja...

I buy things all the time because it looks good. Everything from twinkies, clothing, cars, prostitutes, houses, vacations and beyond. I don't see the problem with it. I guess I am a rare one. Either that or I am just really secure verbalizing it.

[ScottsBad]

I buy things all the time because it looks good. Everything from twinkies, clothing, cars, prostitutes, houses, vacations and beyond. I don't see the problem with it. I guess I am a rare one. Either that or I am just really secure verbalizing it.

I applaud you for being secure enough to admit it. We all do that, pick items based on aesthetics, to some extent. But many people pick inferior firearms products based on the way they look rather than how they perform their job.

[ScottsBad]

Heating and cooling rate is primarily a function of mass.
The surface area is a far smaller factor in the equation.
Two barrels of the same weight will heat up at the same rate, regardless of fluting.

BINGO! If you want to know the truth about barrel profiles ask a barrel master.

[ScottsBad]

With a fluted barrel you do have more surface area and a better heat sink effect. #7 Bartlein and #9 Krieger contour barrels are axel thick and do have quite a large surface already which still is a very large surface area for cooling. My motto is "Don't fall in love with your barrel", it's an expendable. I throw them away about twice a year for new ones because they are shot out.

How shot out? Maybe I'll take your left overs! Just kidding.

[russ69]

I worded it 100% correct.
Can you find any incorrect facts in the statement?

Oh, I get it. I got confused. It sounded like you were saying, two barrels of the same weight both weight the same as your main point.

[mjmagee67]

My Kimber Pro Varmint in 204 ruger with it's 24 inch fluted heavy barrel will shoot 5 shot groups down to .3 inches and regularly shoots under .5 inches. All at 100 yards.

My fluted AR barrels I have on my 3-Gun guns shoot under an inch at 100 yards with 55gr bulk home loaded ammo. Which is fine for 3-Gun.

As many "experts" say fluting hurts as say it helps!!