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Posted: 3/9/2005 9:16:23 AM EDT
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I read quite often here folks recommending contouring, but not very often recommendation of fluting. It would seem to me that fluting would be superior in that you get most of the weight reduction, while maintaining the barrel stiffness, and improving the surface area for cooling. What am I missing here? |
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As a general rule people are looking for either lightweight or accurate. A recontoured barrel is lighter than a fluted barrel and an HBAR or bull barrel is more stiff and should be more accurate than a fluted barrel. But mainly it's because fluting is rather expensive as compared to any benefit it provides. |
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Fluting effects cooling, but it won't help as much as some say. It doubles surface area, but the barrel creates a 'boundary layer' of warm air around it that's the same footprint. This layer of air prevents fluted or non-fluted barrels from cooling fast. It's air passing this layer that cools the barrel quickly. If you want a cool barrel, get A2 handguards... they do the best job. For strength to weight, they are key. If you want a lightweight gun, go with a light taper. If you want an accurate gun, go with a heavy taper. If you want to compromise, you may want to consider fluting. |
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Y'all have pretty much answered my question. Fluting sounds like it was the right choice for me. I wanted a relatively light, and accurate within reason carbine; the $50 didn't seem to be that big a deal on a 20 Franklin rig. Just out of curiosity, how much does contouring/re-finishing run? |
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Any gunsmith with a lathe can recontour. Usually runs around $100 plus whatever it costs for a refinish. Better off buying a new barrel contoured like you want it. Spend the extra money now and sell your old Barrel on EE for a steal. You'll be happier in the long run. Sabre Defence at www.sabredefence.com has good barrels. Make sure you get a 5.56 chamber and chrome lining if you're going to spend the money. Bushmaster has fluted, chrome lined barrels, but I don't think Sabre flutes. Guy and Grant at Sabre are great to work with. Tell them the taper you're looking for and they'll hook you up. I'd suggest Government tapered barrels as a compromise between the noodle barrels and the 'making up for inadequacy' barrels. |
Some samples comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges... Bushmaster: 16" HBAR = $209.95 16" HBAR with fluting = $259.95 16" M4 profile = $219.95 Adco shop prices: Barrel Fluting: exposed portion only = $79 Barrel Fluting: Entire Barrel = $120 Contour Barrel: AR barrel-under handguards = $64 Contour Barrel: forward of the FSB = $64 Contour Barrel: fore and aft of FSB = $94 |
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