Can you send your barrel to somebody who will do a COMPETENT job of flutting a barrel? - possibly back to the barrel maker (in this case Krieger).

I have several fluted barrels,all of which were fluted by my gunbuilders.

I have had 2 barrels fluted by Krieger. One of them a #6 (.750" @ the muzzle) taper that I had chambered in 260 Rem. as a hunting rifle. I had them flute it to lose some weight. Weight loss was a little less than 1 lb. Their standard fluting consists of 10 small flutes around the barrel. I didn't like it at first but the more I looked at the better I did like it. The other barrel they fluted was a 30" barrel (1.125" @ the muzzle) I use in F Class chambered in 260 A.I. That one was fluted with what they call the Knight style fluting. It is deeper with 6 flutes in stead of their standard 10 flutes. I have also had 3 barrels fluted by the smith that builds my rifles. If memory serves me right a number #5 taper is the smallest taper they will flute. It could be a #6 taper. I just don't remember. Bottom line, I won't flute another barrel unless again it is hunting rifle that I want use as heavy a barrel as I can. Other than that, I won't waste the money fluting a match barrel, or a varmint barrel. A barrel used for shooting in long range matches or varmint hunting just don't last long enough to make the money spent worth while. The money is best used for the next barrel IMHO. Hope this helps some.

PaPa 260

It's always easier to have the fluting done when the barrel is made, but considering it's a Krieger I suspect they'll do it for a charge somewhat greater than if it had been done at the time of manufacture. You see, they have to work it into the production schedule and that will take time.

I had Krieger spin up a very heavy, 30-inch, custom barrel for me with nine flutes. The balance between the fluted and unfluted areas is very visually pleasing; they are about equal and not too "busy" like you'd get with ten flutes. I'll do it again on my next one, which will have five lands and grooves for that extra uniqueness quotient. I say "If you're paying for a custom barrel, at least get one!"

Try Pinaire Gunsmithing at 8139 East Main Street, Suite 11 in beautiful, downtown Mesa, Arizona 85207. Their phone number is (480) 986-1805. They will also put a helical flute on your bolt.