I'm thinking of getting a Savage Precision Carbine in .308 but I've seen two versions available. Fluted barrel and standard heavy barrel.
Aside from weight, what advantages do both have?
Aside from weight, what advantages do both have?
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Interesting and informative!
A fluted barrel will cool quicker, a heavier barrel will be more rigid.
From what I have read that is not universally true. Some manufacturers run spiral fluting in the opposite direction of the rifeling. It is done to counter the rotational torque the bullet applies to the barrel when traveling through it. It is supposed to add rigidity and lessen the flex/whip in the barrel when fired. They will also cool faster thanks to the increase in surface area.
The barrel is spiral-fluted in the opposite direction of the rifling in the barrel. When a bullet is fired through a rifled barrel, it exerts tremendous pressure in the direction of the rifling’s rotation, as the bullet is squeezed and spun under incredible acceleration. In the QX-04, the barrel is locked against surfaces towards the front of the spiral grooves. When the cartridge is fired, the slide wants to move rearward, but it cannot do so against the grooves in the barrel. The bullet, while it is in the barrel, is torquing the barrel in the opposite direction of the spiral grooves, preventing rotation of the barrel and therefore locking the slide against the angled surfaces of the spiral. When the bullet leaves the barrel, the rotational force on it is dramatically reduced, and the slide can rotate the barrel to unlock, through residual gas pressure. Clever, isn’t it - See more at: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...delayed-blowback-pistol/#sthash.O9skdQ4e.dpuf
From what I have read that is not universally true. Some manufacturers run spiral fluting in the opposite direction of the rifeling. It is done to counter the rotational torque the bullet applies to the barrel when traveling through it. It is supposed to add rigidity and lessen the flex/whip in the barrel when fired. They will also cool faster thanks to the increase in surface area.
Traditionally removing material does not add to rigidity.
Unless you're making a bunch of triangles (trusses) and circles (fillet), because sharp corners are naturally weak and prone to cracking. While we are really speaking about hoop stress, torque, and the tension load on the barrel; by decreasing the wall thickness with flutes will not increase rigidity.
Take 2 identical barrels - turn one down to be fluted - the minimum cross sectional area has been reduced. Therefore the tensile strength, as well as the harmonics of the barrel will be different. By how much, will depend on the depth of cut & pattern.
The latest trend in barrels, beside cryogenic treatment either during the manufacturing stages or as an aftermarket process, is fluting. There’s really no controversy about fluting; it works. Fluting a barrel definitely lightens it, stiffens it and cools it faster because it exposes so much more surface area. Because a certain wall thickness must be maintained for safety reasons, however, a barrel must be of a heavier contour than normal and the flutes can only be so deep.
Because a certain wall thickness must be maintained for safety reasons, however, a barrel must be of a heavier contour than normal and the flutes can only be so deep.
One other thing. Sprial fluting, since it has a component that cuts cross the barrel, HURTS rigidity more than straight fluting. Spiral fluting is all about sex.
If you were to add flutes to a barrel, it will not be as stiff as it was before you fluted it.
A fluted barrel does have a better strength to weight ratio, so you could have a fluted barrel that is stiffer and lighter, but the major OD of the flutes would have to be bigger (hence you can't stiffen Ann existing barrel by removing material)
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Removing material from a barrel will never:
1) make it stiffer
2) make it heat up more slowly
And normally cost.
What is the cost difference?
I ask because if you say that cost doesn't matter, then you are a fool.
Don
Its clear that some of you all need to better understand some basic physics.
Its also clear that some of you already understand this. But I'll add her in hopes of helping those who are physics challenged.
Results
- 12 BVSS Fluted (OD 0.850") versus 10 FP Plain (OD 0.850")
- Weight: 38% less
- Stiffness (as a function of Moment of Inertia): 43% less
The fluted barrel is much lighter, much less rigid, but has much more surface area than a solid barrel with the same overall outside diameter.
- 12 BVSS Fluted (OD 0.850") versus Light Varmint (OD 0.700")
- Weight: Same
- Stiffness (as a function of Area of Moment Inertia): 25% more
The fluted barrel is much more rigid, and has much more surface area than a solid barrel of the same weight.
Traditionally removing material does not add to rigidity.
Unless you're making a bunch of triangles (trusses) and circles (fillet), because sharp corners are naturally weak and prone to cracking. While we are really speaking about hoop stress, torque, and the tension load on the barrel; by decreasing the wall thickness with flutes will not increase rigidity.
Take 2 identical barrels - turn one down to be fluted - the minimum cross sectional area has been reduced. Therefore the tensile strength, as well as the harmonics of the barrel will be different. By how much, will depend on the depth of cut & pattern.
I get what you're saying, but how would the static "sag" of a barrel come into play?
Comparing two barrels of the same working dimensions, but with one being lighter via fluting, would the heavier, stiffer barrel bend less at rest than the lighter, fluted barrel?
Fencer, I apologize if I insulted you or anyone else.
Its not so much about static sag. That can be compensated for. Its more about rigidity in general and its benefits. All else being equal, more rigid is always better. So if you are going to flute, why not flute longitudinally?
Fencer, I apologize if I insulted you or anyone else.