PGW barrel fluting, more than just looks?

[kthomas]

During development of their PSR rifle, Accuracy International did testing between fluted and non-fluted barrels, to see if fluting a barrel had any effect on accuracy, and if so what that effect is and how much. Through the course of their studies they discovered that fluted barrels were in fact less accurate than non-fluted barrels, which they contributed to the thermodynamic properties of the fluted barrels. Basically, the fluted barrels did not distribute heat evenly, which would cause the POI to shift as the barrel heated up.

One design change that resulted from AI’s exhaustive accuracy testing and development of the PSR [Precision Sniper Rifle] is the removal of flutes from the barrels. Engineers at AI decided to isolate the barrel flutes to see what impact they had on accuracy. The engineers attached a laser to the rifle’s receiver, another to the barrel, and a third to the scope. All three dots were zeroed at the same point, then they started shooting the rifle. They discovered that, no matter which fluted barrel they used, the dots would diverge as the barrel heated. The dots from the devices mounted to the scope and the receiver would stay in place, but the barrel’s device would manifest a point-of-impact (POI) shift. The POI shift from the warming barrel greatly diminished when they used barrels without flutes.

Engineers determined that the flutes never heated evenly, causing the POI shift. I hope the results of this test gain wide circulation through the sniper and long-range shooting communities to help eliminate some of the ignorance that surrounds the perceived advantages of barrel flutes. Flutes are great for shaving weight, but this is the first test I’ve heard that provided empirical data detailing what happens when the barrel is fluted. This should be the death of the “they cool a barrel faster, so they’re more accurate” argument, listed among flutes’ virtues. Our goal is and should always be to mitigate the effects of heat; fluting exacerbates it.

- From an Article published in Sniper Magazine, 2013, on Accuracy International - http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/11/18/rifle-barrels-what-the-pros-use/

Needless to say, Accuracy International no longer provides any fluted barrels on their models. Shilen also will not flute any of their barrels.

 

[Gobc]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Stecky]

It sure does look great ☺

 

[atr]

If the fluting rate/gain is equal to the barrel twist it will cancel out the coriolis effect .

 

[Blastattack]

If the fluting rate/gain is equal to the barrel twist it will cancel out the coriolis effect .

Sure it does. I hope that is sarcasm.

 

[swissinn]

LOL. You and me would get along just fine atr.

 

[swissinn]

I was hoping that someone would post the AI test results. That right there is reason enough for me.

 

[FF57]

If the fluting rate/gain is equal to the barrel twist it will cancel out the coriolis effect .

Sure it does. I hope that is sarcasm.

It is hard to note sarcasm online without little faces on messages to make it a little more obvious; like

In the slight chance that wasn't sarcasm... Coriolis has nothing to do with a bullet's spin around its own axis, but rather the angular momentum of any mass around the earth's axis.

I was hoping that someone would post the AI test results. That right there is reason enough for me.

You mean... you don't like what the government gave you?

Personally... I just find it looks nice, and if you've seen my shooting... looking good is what matters.

 

[swissinn]

I love what the government Gave me. Making our kit a little bit lighter at the expense of what? 1/10 of an MOA lol. I'll take that any day of the week. But if I was building the ultimate tack driver that u only need to hump to the firing mound, it would be a solid lump.

 

[EHG]

It looks pretty, reduces an ounce or so and cost more.

Let me know when the Benchrest shooters start fluting their barrels for accuracy.

 

[FF57]

I love what the government Gave me. Making our kit a little bit lighter at the expense of what? 1/10 of an MOA lol. I'll take that any day of the week. But if I was building the ultimate tack driver that u only need to hump to the firing mound, it would be a solid lump.

Well said.

It looks pretty, reduces an ounce or so and cost more.

Let me know when the Benchrest shooters start fluting their barrels for accuracy.

Let me know when the Benchrest shooters start trekking to their firing line

 

[PGW Steve]

Ever since the precision forum was split, I rarely come here......

In order to create a strong, rigid barrel/receiver, I increased the threaded barrel shank by .1" over what Remington and AI uses. This larger thread required a larger barrel shank to provide a proper shoulder, the shank is 1.3" vs most others at 1.2"-1.25". Straight fluting removed 12 ounces of weight, throwing in some A axis rotation got me 14 ounces removed. It gives the rifle a distinctive look, no doubt about it! As far as accuracy, we far exceeded the CF's spec for hit probability, so I've had no concerns ever. Many happy professionals returned from far off battlefields. Countless happy customers winning with our rifles is also a long standing testament to our accuracy. Whenever we have gone up against AI's unfluted barrels with our fluted barrels, we have never placed second in a military accuracy trial.

 

[EHG]

Ever since the precision forum was split, I rarely come here......

In order to create a strong, rigid barrel/receiver, I increased the threaded barrel shank by .1" over what Remington and AI uses. This larger thread required a larger barrel shank to provide a proper shoulder, the shank is 1.3" vs most others at 1.2"-1.25". Straight fluting removed 12 ounces of weight, throwing in some A axis rotation got me 14 ounces removed. It gives the rifle a distinctive look, no doubt about it! As far as accuracy, we far exceeded the CF's spec for hit probability, so I've had no concerns ever. Many happy professionals returned from far off battlefields. Countless happy customers winning with our rifles is also a long standing testament to our accuracy. Whenever we have gone up against AI's unfluted barrels with our fluted barrels, we have never placed second in a military accuracy trial.

No disrespect intended.
I have seen and shot a few of your Coyote rifles and they are top notch gear. For what they are built for and used I cannot disagree.

When it comes to F-Class or Benchrest and the Coyote that's another discipline which it's not suited for. I have seen it tried and died there.
That doesn't mean it's no good, but for F-Class muzzle breaks and tactical stocks configurations isn't the best mode.

In any case, please continue a well made product. It's something us Canadians can be proud of.