Gentlemen,
Thinking of building a 7mm-08 or 7mm-08 Improved on a SA700. Stock would be a McMillan Mountain Rifle, heavy fill, steel TG, Holland Lug, and Jewell Trigger. Have decided to go with a fluted #3 contour barrel at either 22 or 23 inches. The fluting is largely an aesthetic issue with me, however, would it be considered a safety issue with a 7mm barrel? Also considering a fluted bolt and a Kinneman Bolt Handle. Suggestions?

Regards, Matt.

FWIW, I know a heavy fill Mountain Rifle Stock is an oxymoron, however, I don't like light stocks.

Matt, why would you consider fluting to be a safety issue? It does very little, slight weight reduction, slight increase in surface area.

Not all parties feel good about fluting a .284" bore in a #3 contour. I believe Matt was asking for thoughts on that matter,in regards to barrel wall thickness(safety) as per his specific application................

Stick,
You hit that on the head as usual.

I should have mentioned that my concerns related from a conversation with Krieger Barrels a couple of years back. I had discussed a stainless #5 contour in .375 H&H for the M70 John Ricks is building for me(an unfluted barrel btw). They informed me that they would not make a stainless barrel for a .375 H&H in anything less than a #6 contour. They further mentioned fluting as another concern for weakening a barrel. In the end I bought a Stainless Super Match from Pac-Nor who had no reservations on such a combination. I've talked with a few riflesmiths and a fluted #3 in .284" seems to be somewhat of a concern. Thought I would put the question to the experts. Is this a concern?

Regards, Matt.

Matt,

Sounds like you located a S/S 700 short donor? Congrats.

Be very curious to hear thoughts of those that weigh in,on this matter.............

Stick,
Have had zero luck on a stainless pre-key SA700, however, I've had numerous offers of blued pre-key SA700s that are like new. Dunno what is going to shake out, however, I have enough offers of CM SA700s that it appears to be a sure thing.

Regards, Matt.

Btw, if you want the rifle/stock combo in exchance for a like new pre-key Blued SA700 it is yours. I've had that SS LA700 and that McMillan for 3 years. Just could'nt gin up the interest to build anything on it. I would have built a 7mm-08 or 7mm-08 Improved three times over in the same time period. Oddly enough.

Matt,

I just fell into another rifle today(700SA based 300WSM)and am thinking that I'll keep traveling the short action road.

Your offer is wayyyy beyond fair and it much suprises me that noone has yet grabbed hold of your offer,before you changed your mind.(grin)

The thought of a KS stocked,700 based lightweight 257Wby appeals to me,but I'm gonna explore the WSM/SAUM offerings in greater depth.

Obliged for the offer............

matt, i just sent you an email.........
woofer

Stick,
As much help as you've forwarded my way over the years I wanted to give you the first shot on the new blued SA700 terms. Understand completely on the .257 WSM route.

Woofer,
The action and stock are now promised to a gentleman in Florida. His offer arrived first and I have to honor that.

Regards, Matt.

Matt,
When I put together a couple 7-08AIs om McMillan Mtn rifle stocks a couple years ago I quizzed Penney at Pac-Nor on barrel fluting. She stated Pac-Nor would not flute anything under a #4 contour and that would depend on the caliber(when fluting a #4). FWIW, Lilja barrels won't flute anything under a #5 contour. I know McMillan states their Mtn Rifle stock will handle up to a #3 contour but after building a couple rifles on them I think a #2.5 contour is about max, a #2 is even a better fit with a free floated bbl. Its forearm is really trim so a heavy fill is a good idea. If your dead set on a fluted barrel then consider a #4 Schnieder SS in the McMillan Rem Sporter stock. This set-up would be very similiar to Lazzeroni's S/A Mtn Rifle, almost the same components except for your action. MtnHtr

[ 02-17-2003, 08:05: Message edited by: MtnHtr ]

Matt,
Here's a link:
http://www.lazzeroni.com/ct_rifles_lazz.htm

Its called the Liteweight Mountain Rifle, I'm pretty sure DB Bill has a couple of em. Gary Schneider's shop phone # is 480-948-2525

MtnHtr

[ 02-17-2003, 08:18: Message edited by: MtnHtr ]

Big Stick and others, what is the rule of thumb for depth when flutting a barrel? How thick is it from the bottom of the flute to the bore of the barrel? I'm concidering rebarreling my .300 ultramag, blueprinting the action. Looking at a #5 contour barrel. So far I've made a bolt blank, wrote a program and made a test run helical flutting the bolt. Think I've got a winner! Using a 3/8" ball endmill, 90 degree twist per flute, 6 flutes .07" deep, 5 1/4" long. Only thing I forgot to due was weigh the blank before and after to see how much weight was removed. Weight isn't a big issue, but rifle will wear a flutted bolt and barrel. Thanks.

I think there are multiple trains of thought,regarding this very subject. I don't believe there is a firmly etched "rule",regarding fluting. Some guys are comfortable,where others would not tread.

As far as a #5 fluted 30cal,one of my favorite rifle(30-8mmRemmag) wears that configuration............

In general, you want no less than .150" wall thickness between the bottom of the flute and the bore with a SS barrel. You could do some fluting on a #3 7mm barrel but not much. If I was going to do it I would use 8 or 12 narrow flutes. It would probably look better than 6 really shallow flutes.

Mountain Hunter,
Much appreciate your input. You've given me a few things to think about. Thinking a different stock may be in order.

Regards, Matt.