Thread: Gun digest article on f-class rifles

This is from the Lilja web page .

Fluted Barrels

Fluting barrels for both competitive target and hunting rifles is quite popular. There are two advantages to using a fluted barrel. Improved accuracy is one advantage because of increased barrel stiffness. If we compare a fluted barrel to one that is not fluted, both weighing the same, the fluted barrel is stiffer. This is because the fluted barrel will be of a larger diameter than the unfluted barrel of the same weight and length. Increasing the diameter of a barrel greatly increases its rigidity. Fluting may also allow for a longer barrel, if weight is a consideration. Another advantage to fluting is the increased cooling rate of the barrel because of the greater amount of surface area exposed to the air. Please look at our FAQ section on fluting too.

Originally Posted by Dead is better

Question from the article - One thing i generally don't understand is why fluting is bad from a heat sink point of view. When all that extra surface area is added by carving shapes into it - doesn't that dissipate the heat better?