Fluted vs Non-Fluted Rifle Barrels?

[Rockrivr1]

With all things being equal with a rifle, would you prefer a fluted vs non fluted barrel on a hunting rifle? Many here recommend a Tikka T3X rifle, but they come in many different configurations. One version has a solid barrel while one comes with a fluted barrel. Some come with a brake while others don't. I've not owned a rifle with a fluted barrel and from what I'm reading they help dissipate heat, but if not done right they can cause accuracy issue due to messing with the barrel harmonics.

So what do you prefer and why? Fluted or no fluting. Also, since were' talking about it, brake or no brake?

Thanks

 

[Mudflap621]

Fluting doesn’t matter at all to me but the ability to add a muzzle device is definitely a positive in my book.

 

[pupchow]

Fluted weighs less.

 

[Broc Tuah]

I don't care about brakes. But I like to get threaded barrels because one day I might care.

As far as flutting or not. I prefer barrels that can take more than 3 consecutive shots before groups start opening. So I go for heavy barrels.

I believe fluted barrels heat up faster. So I go for plain barrels.

That being said, if I was looking for a rifle that will only take 1 or 2 shots when hunting, and the flutting reduces the weight a significant amount, then I might choose that.

 

[wjsmall97]

I have a Tikka T3X Lite in .270 Winchester, lefthanded, so they limit my choices.

 

[Golddiggie]

I don't care about brakes. But I like to get threaded barrels because one day I might care.

As far as flutting or not. I prefer barrels that can take more than 3 consecutive shots before groups start opening. So I go for heavy barrels.

I believe fluted barrels heat up faster. So I go for plain barrels.

That being said, if I was looking for a rifle that will only take 1 or 2 shots when hunting, and the flutting reduces the weight a significant amount, then I might choose that.

IIRC, fluting, on a heavy barrel, gives you the best of all worlds. Good heat management, lighter weight and rigidity for harmonics. Not the same as between a heavy and pencil barrel by any stretch. I've not looked at weight differences in the same barrel with and without fluting but I'm pretty sure the difference isn't small. If you're lugging the thing around a lot, that matters. If you're just going to a blind/stand to shoot, not so much. So really comes down to HOW you'll be hunting with it. If you want something that will be good for every situation (include humping up a mountain) then go fluted. Or even carbon fiber wrapped.

 

[wcorey]

A fluted barrel should be stiffer than a non fluted barrel of the same weight, while a non fluted
barrel will be stiffer than a fluted barrel of the same diameter/dimension.
I don't think the difference in weight to stiffness is a very large percentage though, particularly with
what I often see as shallow more or less cosmetic flutes.

 

[StevieP]

My .308 AR has a fluted 'bull contour' barrel that likely shaved off a lot of weight vs if it was solid. It's very accurate. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a rifle with a fluted barrel.

 

[jkelly1229]

I don't care about brakes. But I like to get threaded barrels because one day I might care.

As far as flutting or not. I prefer barrels that can take more than 3 consecutive shots before groups start opening. So I go for heavy barrels.

I believe fluted barrels heat up faster. So I go for plain barrels.

That being said, if I was looking for a rifle that will only take 1 or 2 shots when hunting, and the flutting reduces the weight a significant amount, then I might choose that.

Not all of us are macho manly studs like broc

A good brake definitely helps a lot in shootability of higher calibers

 

[Broc Tuah]

Not all of us are macho manly studs like broc

I have been throwing a lot of keys on roofs. The future generation will be Broc tough.

 

[1776]

 

[Dennis in MA]

Fluted weighs less.

Depends how you look at it.

For 95% of us, or more, it just don't matter. We won't shoot enough nor need to be accurate enough for it to have a huge impact. But if I was hoofing it around some mountains for a day looking for some 4-legged creature to shoot, I'd want the lightest possible outfit, all things equal.