Fluting existing barrel

Jamie D Van Roekel

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I built a 375 for my wife, to keep recoil down a bit I went with a heavier barrel. It shoots great but is a bit heavier than I think it would need to be. I have some fluted barrels but I always bought them that way. Was wondering if I could send the rifle to someone and have it fluted to drop a bit of weight. If this is doable what to expect the price tag to be. Thanks for any assistance.
 

They are good people who do good work.
 

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Yes you can have it done and I suggest Kampfeld custom
B93496A0-54D0-4886-BDD1-20E6F7AF340D.jpeg


I had them spiral flute, cut 2” off and re-crown, black cerakote everything including the rings; it was 10 years ago but believe the the bill was $550.
 

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You could always just have it re profiled. It might look more fitting on a 375.
Most smith's won't do that, they will no longer guarantee the accuracy of the rifle. If it has iron sights that will be another factor to address.

Straight flute would not look out of place. Depending upon time line and/or budget it would probably be better to have a new barrel spun up with the proper contour.

If it is a balance issue, I would add weight to the backside of the rifle. Out of curiosity what does this rig weigh as it sits? The lighter you make it the more she is going to feel it.
 
Most smith's won't do that, they will no longer guarantee the accuracy of the rifle. If it has iron sights that will be another factor to address.

Straight flute would not look out of place. Depending upon time line and/or budget it would probably be better to have a new barrel spun up with the proper contour.

If it is a balance issue, I would add weight to the backside of the rifle. Out of curiosity what does this rig weigh as it sits? The lighter you make it the more she is going to feel it.
I didn’t know that. My 270 was re profiled and shoots great. I can’t see how it would be any different than fluting.
 
I didn’t know that. My 270 was re profiled and shoots great. I can’t see how it would be any different than fluting.
You can find a few they are just few and far.

Reprofiling can change the thickness unevenly (the bore in not 100% in the center). So as the barrel heats up it can draw one way or the other. The flip side is the amount of time and tooling that goes in it.
 
What's the barrel length maybe just chop off a few inches that maybe more weight savings then normal fluting.

The barrel length is 23. Going deer hunting this weekend so may have to wait till next week but I can post some photos of it and grab a weight. I can’t remember off hand what it was.
 
Generally, no- it’s not workable after all the other machining is done. Specifically, you have a button rifled barrel and there will always be residual stress in the steel. If you cut flutes now, the bore will change (Potentially…arguably depends on some thiings).

Additionally, depending on contour, the center of the bore is likely not in the center of the barrel…so fluting depth is an issue.

Lastly, you are only going to remove a few ounces. It’s not much. When you do the math, barrel fluting really won’t do much.

Weight is total package…Stock, Optic, Mounts, Sling, Action, Barrel, ect.
 
Have had a few blanks done by Greg at Southern Precision Rifles aka bugholes.com. Last one was eight flutes on a #6 Bartlein .30 caliber. Turnaround was less than two weeks. IIRC, as far as re-profiling, he won't go down more than one controur. His price is very competitive, again IIRC, around $150.
Other than that, a chambered new barrel in a smaller contour is another option. They can do that too.
 
Generally, no- it’s not workable after all the other machining is done. Specifically, you have a button rifled barrel and there will always be residual stress in the steel. If you cut flutes now, the bore will change (Potentially…arguably depends on some thiings).

Additionally, depending on contour, the center of the bore is likely not in the center of the barrel…so fluting depth is an issue.

Lastly, you are only going to remove a few ounces. It’s not much. When you do the math, barrel fluting really won’t do much.

Weight is total package…Stock, Optic, Mounts, Sling, Action, Barrel, ect.
Lots of barrels have been fluted after the fact, lots.
 
Any idea how is done? Does the smith removes the barrel for fluting? Just curious here.
 
Any idea how is done? Does the smith removes the barrel for fluting? Just curious here.
Spiral fluting video


Edit: Note additional cost for barrel removal and re-install.

 

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Last edited:
Fluting carrys the same risk of dimensional alteration to the bore as reprofiling. If it works that’s great but if it causes problems it’s new barrel time. As others have said it won’t save much weight.
 
Spiral fluting video


Edit: Note additional cost for barrel removal and re-install.

Thank you!!!

According to this website:

**We do not recommend fluting any factory barrel. We will do it upon request, but no guarantees are made to accuracy after fluting. Email us for more info on the subject**
 

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