Since we have barrels with twisted flutes would it be possible to make a “twisted” octagonal barrel? Might end up ugly as hell and I am sure the matching would be a pain and therefore very expensive but could it be done? Has it been done? Not planning on building one but just like to see what is possible

quote:

Originally posted by pacecars:
Since we have barrels with twisted flutes would it be possible to make a “twisted” octagonal barrel? Might end up ugly as hell and I am sure the matching would be a pain and therefore very expensive but could it be done? Has it been done? Not planning on building one but just like to see what is possible

The same helical milling that produces "twisted" flutes could produce what you're suggesting, if you started with a blank that's thick enough.

And yes, it would be ugly as hell.

I would like to see someone try it, as I’ve never heard of one. When I try to visualize it in my mind it seems geometrically impossible.

All ideas are not necessarily good ideas...

Clarence

You mean like this: http://www.kampfeldcustom.com/boltfluting0914_004.htm

I've seen bolts done with flats as well.

Jeremy

His 6 sided “wrought iron” barrel is close to what I was thinking. Doesn’t look as bad as I thought it would

quote:

Originally posted by pacecars:
His 6 sided “wrought iron” barrel is close to what I was thinking. Doesn’t look as bad as I thought it would

Those are actually shallow flutes rather than flats, but it's close enough to give you the idea. Same process, different cutter shape. Flutes serve some (limited) purpose, flats are primarily a matter of style, helical is a gaudy fad. And an expensive one.

Oh, no.......

Please don't tell me you're contemplating this for your Brno project!

Some of it just seems silly but once you get started there is no end to the patterns you could cut.

https://matchgrademachine.com/fluting-options/

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Scott:
Some of it just seems silly but once you get started there is no end to the patterns you could cut.

https://matchgrademachine.com/fluting-options/

Forget about registering firearms; I'm starting to think we should be registering CNC machines to keep this garbage from proliferating.

I recall a "target" Ruger 10-22 barrel that had subtle, well-finished factory hammer forging contour. I thought it was pretty attractive. I think I've seen CZ 527 Lux/Royal with similar treatment before too.

Example:


Far less objectionable than MGM's treatments, and that wrought-iron pattern.

quote:

Originally posted by cdsx:
Oh, no.......

Please don't tell me you're contemplating this for your Brno project!

Nooooooooooooo way! Just wondering what can be done. Thinking out loud.

quote:

Originally posted by farbedo:
You mean like this: http://www.kampfeldcustom.com/boltfluting0914_004.htm

I've seen bolts done with flats as well.

Jeremy

I actually think that with 8 sides instead of 6 and a longer "twist rate" this could look quite good.
Wonder if it could make any difference to barrel harmonics, similar to a "structured" barrel?

You gotta wonder if it would move in weird ways when it starts to heat up.

Looks like it would be easier to grip with cold or wet hands. Trying to look for the up side.

quote:

Originally posted by tom o:
Looks like it would be easier to grip with cold or wet hands. Trying to look for the up side.

BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE !!!!

With our optional barrel sleeve attachment, you can actually convert your rifle to a giant Yankee Screwdriver! (Bits sold separately.)

The yankee screwdriver thing is a really innovative "twist". Just shows what can be achieved by warped minds working together.

Always happy to help.

No accounting for taste.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by nopride2:
No accounting for taste.

Dave

I'm not sure if Dave's commenting on our twisted humour, Tom, or twisted barrels....

I almost made a helical octagon a few years ago.

When I was shooting PRS with a friend I borrowed one of his rifles for the matches. These guys will F anything if they can hold it down. . . Flute it that is.

Long story short I had some rifle problems and threatened to build a Mauser. He of course quipped about it having an octagon barrel. I said absolutely to which he replied it would have to be “twisted”.

I really don’t think it would do anything weirder as it heated and expanded than some of the crazy decorative finishes guys put on rifles now.

If a barrel is fluted, I like the traditional old fashioned way of doing it. It’s not as if it is a new idea.

quote:

I'm not sure if Dave's commenting on our twisted humour, Tom, or twisted barrels....

I don't think I will answer, might piss some people off. Ha-ha.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by nopride2:

quote:

I'm not sure if Dave's commenting on our twisted humour, Tom, or twisted barrels....

I don't think I will answer, might piss some people off. Ha-ha.

Dave

Ouch.

No one has raised the important question as to whether the external twist should mirror the internal twist or go in the opposite direction. In other words, if the rifling has a right hand twist, should the external twist be right hand as well? What about the twist rate? If the internal twist is 1:8, should the external twist be the same? Plenty of room for conjecture and experimentation.

Using a series of 3rd order, non-linear differential equations to approach this problem, it becomes clear that the rifling twist has to mirror the exterior twist.
If not, the conflicting forces could well cause a rift in the time / space continuum.
That would be a problem.

Just go over to the Double Rifle sub-forum and look up OSR. According to the OSR believers, just fire a single Barnes bullet down your barrel and you'll get the same effect!

quote:

Originally posted by tom o:
Using a series of 3rd order, non-linear differential equations to approach this problem, it becomes clear that the rifling twist has to mirror the exterior twist.
If not, the conflicting forces could well cause a rift in the time / space continuum.
That would be a problem.

Oh look! Angels dancing on the head of a pin! Shouldn't we count how many?

quote:

Originally posted by tom o:
Using a series of 3rd order, non-linear differential equations to approach this problem, it becomes clear that the rifling twist has to mirror the exterior twist.
If not, the conflicting forces could well cause a rift in the time / space continuum.
That would be a problem.

A 1:10" right hand twist rifled barrel with a 8" left hand twist exterior finish could open an interdimensional portal.

quote:

Originally posted by tom o:
Using a series of 3rd order, non-linear differential equations to approach this problem, it becomes clear that the rifling twist has to mirror the exterior twist.
If not, the conflicting forces could well cause a rift in the time / space continuum.
That would be a problem.

A guy shot one of these once and then tried to re-marry his ex-wife, but she wouldn't go for it.

She figured out he was only after his money.

quote:

A guy shot one of these once and then tried to re-marry his ex-wife, but she wouldn't go for it. She figured out he was only after his money.

Funny. Laughs are needed to keep ones sanity with this covid crap.

Dave

One practical concern...how would one inlet the stock?
So many stylistic concerns I won't get started.

quote:

So many stylistic concerns I won't get started.

Insurmountable problems, give then to the gunsmith.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
One practical concern...how would one inlet the stock?
So many stylistic concerns I won't get started.

No problem! You'd just cast the plastic stock in situ with the barrel. Because the sort of people who would want a candy-cane barrel would NEVER consider a walnut stock.

I thought about a fluted barrel, that way I could shave every morning in elk camp..Ive cut my finger on a fluted barrel. Not for me as they serve no real purpose, other than in the mind of a mindless beholder..

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
I thought about a fluted barrel, that way I could shave every morning in elk camp..Ive cut my finger on a fluted barrel. Not for me as they serve no real purpose, other than in the mind of a mindless beholder..

Good point, Ray. Just what every recoiling rifle needs - more sharp edges!

The only sharp edges should be on cutting tools.

Dave