If I have my bolts fluted on rifles that I have loads worked up for will the accuracy change?

I have never experienced a change and can’t really fathom how it could affect anything other than looks and possible reducing gun weight by 1/4 ounce

No.

The weight reduction will be about the same as the weight of the money lost from your wallet used to pay for the fluting. Additionally, the flutes provide a really nice channel for debris to find its way into your magazine.

Weight loss will be about an ounce

Yep, one of those eye-candy things with more negatives than positives.

drover

Exactly..

Unless the bolt body O.D. is changed (polishing after fluting, etc.), there will be no change. -Al

I have a couple that were done after-the-fact (vs. done when rifle was put together) - no change in accuracy.
And done solely because it looks cool (to me).

I've probably fluted more bolts than anyone. The specials we run are pretty popular and the volume of work it generates borders on the absurd.

Bottom line: If you like fluting, flute your stuff and carry on. I've done it for well over 15 years in volume and the issues its alleged to create are far more rare than some might like to admit.

Most rifle issues are rare, but that doesn't mean it's smart to introduce more chances for issues. Especially when the reason behind the change is cosmetic (or to make money, in the case of the smith).

I've had fluted bolts, and while the debris issue didn't go so far as to cause any missed shot opportunities or rifle failures, the flutes did allow a bunch of snow and crap to get into the magazine.

I thought it was funny when the promoters or maybe the writers who commented that the flutes would act as a conveyor to cycle crud out of the magazine. If you have snow or mud pies in the action cycling it more would be the last thing I would do.

you mean you didn't wrap your bolt with blue tape?

They are carried by little people, silly people, dandyfied and lovers of the horn of the unicorn.

Maser???

I'd be very Leary of bolt fluting!!! Make sure it's squared and trued up!!!! Haha Jesus fuucking Christ use your head for more than a hat rack!!! How could it have a effect on accuracy????? Good Lord

Without the horn it’s just a horse.

My Savage Target Actions made it easy. I just substituted a fluted bolt body on the 6mm BR Norma rifle to distinguish it from the 6mm PPC rifle. Doesn't do a thing either way for accuracy but makes it an at-a-glance deal as to which is which.

I have several that were fluted by LRI in Sturgis. Great turn around, and excellent workmanship.
This bolt fluting had zero effect on accuracy. It’s strictly a cosmetic thing for me. And I have not experienced it shoveling dirt, crud and snow into my magazine.
The BS people come up with is never ending.

Yeah.
I’ve hunted a lot with mine with bolt fluting and never ever once had dirt and junk caught up in it....that’s laughable.

You guys sound similar to the folks in the optics forum who stick their heads in the stand about Leupold issues.

You're sounding more and more like rost495 every day.

?

My head must be in the sand.
I have about 20 Leupolds. Have used them almost exclusively since the early 70s.
Did have a handgun 2.8-8X come apart inside, not sure exactly what happened. It was on a 357 maximum. Leupold fixed it free and had it back to me in about five weeks. That’s the only issue that I have had.

Ya me too... and I’m sure most everyone else has too.... gotta give folks something to whine about

Make sure them are SPIRAL floots.

Yep. Only thing that determines accuracy on the bolt is the face & locking lugs.................neither of which are affected during fluting.

Not much knowledge or common sense here anymore.

MM

Maybe he thinks it’s rear lockup??? 788 esq..... haha

I agree not much common sense

I have a high suspicion that many smiths are those who failed to make the grade of dental surgeon
cause one could make schitload more fleecing folks wanting a nice set of pearly whites.




Flutes on a bolt can potentially function similarly to flutes on drill bits and milling machine cutters.

I would prefer that small hard foreign particles have a relief area rather than potentially grinding between
the bolt body and receiver... I also believe that most fluting jobs are excessive or-way over done for such
purpose and can potentially invite problems like you suggest.


something anywhere between these two I consider practically acceptable...

https://goo.gl/images/K3694o

https://goo.gl/images/YiuYYX

Know what fluting really does?

It gives the internet something else to talk about. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over. . . .lol

I'd bet we could do a search on the net on this topic and find at least six causes of accuracy change with a fluted bolt. The change would be for the worst.

You mean there used to be some here ????

Been awhile since I've seen that name.....and still not quite long enough.

Gawd, I just don't get the fluted bolt thing. Wish the Barrett didn't have them.

You seem to have thr horn of the unicorn on your mind...

I have many fluted bolts. It’s cosmetic only. No other benefit that I know of. Have had zero negative issues with them.LRI in Sturgis SD did most of mine. And if the cost of bolt fluting is a big issue on a custom rifle, better look for another hobby.

Majority of my rifles have fluted bolts. Some I’ve done and some came that way. If it’s such an introduction of dirt and debris, then why is ALMOST every single custom action built include flutes on the bolt body? I’m not sure I’ve ever had an issue.

Maybe three years ago…

How do people find 3 year old threads about bolt fluting?

This^^^

LRI is hiring Chinese bots to drum up business?