Question for veteran shooter: Bull barrel vs fluted barrel temperature

[Frag]

Hi guys,

I am currently considering getting a Tikka T3X SuperLite Strata in 7mm REM Mag. This model has the fluted barrel.

I would use that riffle 50-50 for hunting and target practice, which bring me a valuable question.

I know that a bull barrel (like on the varmint model) deal better with temperature since it is more massive, so will a fluted barrel will be at the other end of the spectrum? I mean since the barrel is fluted on the SuperLite and that I would throw 7mm quick rounds thru it, I guess that the barrel would become too warm too quickly?

I would like to have the SuperLite since I will walk around mountains for days with that thing. However, I wonder if I will hate the fluted barrel for not dealing with temperature that well while shooting for practice.

What is your take on this? Let's say that I go to the range and shoot 20-30 rounds, would you see that barrel as problematic? Should I take the standard "Lite Stainless" model instead, which is mostly the same riffle, but without the fluted barrel.

Thanks

 

[Rodder]

I have a Superlite Strata in 6.5creedmoor. When I take it to the range I'm shooting at most 8 rounds through it at a time before it's burning hot and I have to leave it on the rack for awhile. I havent noticed a difference in accuracy from the first round to the 8th but I'm using a fixed 2.5x scope so my groups aren't that great to start with.

 

[DEZ]

Take your time between shots if you blaze away if your range has them steel gongs and dump a mag in a couple of minutes its going to cook it lol. But just for a bit of pre hunt practice you should be fine .
Shoot 3 rnd groups wait for it to cool max of five rnd groups after shooting a 5 rnd group that barrel will be Hot

 

[RRH.01]

It will heat quicker as there is less metal but will also cool faster due to that and a bit from the increased surface area Vs a non fluted barrel of the same contour

 

[dan belisle]

It will heat quicker as there is less metal but will also cool faster due to that and a bit from the increased surface area Vs a non fluted barrel of the same contour

This. Fluting gives you more surface area, which will allow quicker cooling. It isn't a huge difference though, and most people do it for looks or the lightening effect. - dan

 

[Weatherby Fan]

Fluting is almost purely cosmetic, its a 7mm magnum cartridge that holds up to 70grs of powder, runs a tad hotter shot to shot than say a 6.5 Creedmoor holding 40-45grs, as with any light contour barrel they heat up quick but cool quick, treat the rifle for what it is at the bench.........a hunting rifle not a target rifle, in saying that just keep tabs on the barrel heat, generally after 3 shots it will be hot enough to let cool, try a five shot string and see what you get on the target and for barrel heat, its not doing you rifle barrel any good to to have it red hot at bench when its not necessary.....never mind chances are your groups will have probably opened up.

I shoot lots of #1 contour rifles at the range all the time, some barrels are fluted, my 6.5 PRC has a #1 fluted Benchmark and after 2 shots its noticeably warm with 56.5grs of R26, I have a 5lb 2.4oz 280AI with a fluted #1 Benchmark and I can get 3 shots out of it but its as hot as I like to see it.

Light rifles like these are hunting rifles, just treat them at the bench for what they are and you'll have no issues.

 

[Unholysavage]

I have a Sako A7 roughtech in 7rm that has a fluted barrel similar to the superlite (Sako likely has a slightly heavier contour?).
After a 5rd group the barrel is pretty darn hot. It doesn't seem to walk when hot, but as others have said definitely let it cool between groups.
My opinion - if you're looking for lightweight get the superlite over the varmint. It's easy to wait for it to cool down (shoot another rifle!) but a heavy rifle in the mountains is taxing.
The superlite should shoot fine as long as you can tolerate the recoil of the lighter weight magnum. My unbraked A7 isn't all that light, but I reach my recoil limit on the bench after about 30-35 rounds. The 7 isn't a bruiser, but it can wear on you from a bench or prone.

 

[HondaVTEC]

I think the only two things that fluting adds is reduced barrel weight and it looks cool . There are potential negatives . With most barrel manufacturing methods ( hammer forged , button ) , the fluting can only be done AFTER the barrel has been rifled and profiled . This is usually a no no for top accuracy as internal dimensions can and usually will change . That is not a good thing . As far as increased cooling goes , the increased surface area might indeed increase cooling , but , unless the barrel is VERY generously free floated , the top half of the barrel might cool faster then the underside , which again , is not a desirable thing for top accuracy . Now , the exception is if the barrel is cut rifled . Now , a top manufacturer can profile and flute , stress relieve and THEN cut the rifling . Big difference . For a hunting rifle ? Who cares ? Buy the caliber and make of your choice and have fun .

 

[Maple57]

The old argument regarding fluted vs not fluted is a loaded question...

Its not fair to compare a specific barrel profile with and without flutes.

What is fair is to consider two barrels of the same weight and length... The smaller barrel being not fluted and the larger barrel being fluted.

So once we look at two barrels of the same weight, the advantage of fluting is clear. It will be stiffer and by that unit of measurement stiffer.

The counter argument might be stress induced into the barrel as a result of the fluting itself. If you know about machining, stress depends on feeds, speeds, chip load, sharpness of cutters, cutter relief angles, coolant or not... the list goes on.

All I can really say is that it would be fair to assume that a fluted barrel would require some sort of post fluting stress relieve.

My most accurate fluted barrel won many matches and it was cryo stress relieve twice after fluting. It made for an expensive barrel but it did pay off in points.

 

[Yotarunner]

It's been a while since I shot one but I sighted in a tikka t3 super light in 7mag for someone once cause he couldn't handle the recoil off the bench. From what I recall after a 5 shot group it was warm enough that I didn't want to shoot another 5 without giving it a second to cool though it did cool fairly quick.
One thing I will add though was that rifle had some of the most vicious recoil I have ever experienced and I have shot a 500/416nitro express. If you are good with recoil have at it but be warned, when I touched that thing off I could feel the recoil in my soul.

 

[HondaVTEC]

Light weight magnum rifles are not a pleasant shooting experience . The recoil makes them very difficult to shoot well . I had to sight in a new shooter's light weight 300WM this past Fall . There was not one part of that process that was enjoyable . Target shoot with a rifle like that ? No thanks .