Fluted vs Bull

[Skychief12]

I plan to replace my AR15 16" 5.56 barrel but I need help understanding which configuration fluted or bull is the best way to go. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these barrel types?

[Jadeslade]

I plan to replace my AR15 16" 5.56 barrel but I need help understanding which configuration fluted or bull is the best way to go. What are the advantages and disadvantages of these barrel types?

Fluted. Lighter and the gun is more balanced. No advantage to bull barrel unless you are shooting full auto a lot.

[jbullgpd]

+1 Go fluted.

[mscott]

You might want to look at a govmt contour barrel that is lighter. I had my hbar turned down and like it a lot better. Here's an example http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=416274

[TLD]

You might want to look at a govmt contour barrel that is lighter. I had my hbar turned down and like it a lot better. Here's an example http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=416274

Any issues with accuracy after turn down? I'm thinking of doing the same to my NM RRA barrel.

[mscott]

I had ADCO profile it http://www.adcofirearms.com/shopservices/shop_.cfm?code=21 with no ill effects. Mine is a Wilson match barrel if that means anything. After I got it back I shot a group, dumped 30 rounds on a couple of drills to make sure the barrel was good and hot and then shot another group. Accuracy and point of impact remained the same.

[mpeltier]

I had ADCO profile it http://www.adcofirearms.com/shopservices/shop_.cfm?code=21 with no ill effects. Mine is a Wilson match barrel if that means anything. After I got it back I shot a group, dumped 30 rounds on a couple of drills to make sure the barrel was good and hot and then shot another group. Accuracy and point of impact remained the same.

This is the same experiance I have had with turned bbl,s from ADCO.

Fluting alone will reduce a little weight but not as much as turning down a bbl., my preferance bieng .750 under the HG.

[Skychief12]

Looks like fluted is the winner. I was thinking a slightly muzzle heavy barrel(not heavy full length)provided a more steady sight picture for off-hand shooting. While I can appreciate the lighter more maneuverable fluting effect, what is the impact on the sight picture?

[Graham Smith]

It's all about purpose.

If you are shooting something like NRA high power or bench rest or any other discipline where you need to hold the gun very steady, then a bull barrel has an advantage because that extra mass keeps the barrel more steady (a tiny muscle twitch will move a low mass easier than a high mass). It can also reduce recoil. It also results in a much stiffer barrel which is less subject to deflection. It also acts as a huge heat sink which dissipates the heat very quickly which keeps the barrel dimensions from changing. IOW, it's all about controlling very fussy little things that make a big difference for precise shooting at distance.

If you are shooting varmints, then you want most of the things mentioned above but don't want to have to schlep all that weight around. A fluted barrel reduces the weight but still gives you many of the same advantages of a bull barrel.

If you are shooting 3-gun or other similar discipline where there are a lot of different targets, you don't want a lot of length or weight because transitions become more difficult and speed suffers. An 18" heavy, special, or even medium contour barrel is a lot easier to manage.

If you are looking for a tactical gun, then you will probably be looking at a 16" medium or lightweight barrel. The 16" M4 profile is also popular.

[twodownzero]

I run a 14.5" pencil barrel, and if I could get some gunsmith to turn it down even more than it is already without it blowing up, I'd pull out my wallet and do it.

I love my lightweight AR. I never realized what I was missing for all those years before that.

[Mark K]

Here is a link to a good explanation of Fluted vs Heavy. The short version of it is: fluting reduces weight and reduces strength, but increased cooling. The advantage of fluting is that you can have a larger diameter barrel to increase stiffness, flute it to reduce weight, and end up with a barrel that is as light as a smaller diameter barrel, but stiffer than the smaller diameter barrel - but not as stiff as the original barrel before fluting. The added benefit is that it cools faster.

Fluting

Mark K

Edited November 5, 2010 by Mark K