TargetTalk

Other company rifle barrels are just circular.
I wonder what role the kk500 stainless steel barrel pattern plays.

Those grooves are called flutes. The flutes reduce mass, without reducing the diameter of the barrel: ie less mass than a circular barrel of the same diameter, but more stiffness than a barrel of equal mass (but smaller diameter). It's exactly the same concept as the fuller on a sword.

The idea isn't new. Walther fitted fluted barrels (made in Scotland by Border Barrels) in the 1990s/2000s. Unique won two Olympic golds (Atlanta '96, and Sydney 2000 3x40) with fluted stainless barrels. And Feinwerkbau fitted a fluted barrel to the 2700 lightweight.

Tim S wrote: ↑Sat May 03, 2025 4:08 am Those grooves are called flutes. The flutes reduce mass, reducing the diameter of the barrel: ie less mass than a circular barrel of the same diameter, but more stiffness than a barrel of equal mass (but smaller diameter). It's exactly the same concept as the fuller on a sword.

The idea isn't new. Walther fitted fluted barrels (made in Scotland by Border Barrels) in the 1990s/2000s. Unique won two Olympic golds (Atlanta '96, and Sydney 2000 3x40) with fluted stainless barrels. And Feinwerkbau fitted a fluted barrel to the 2700 lightweight.

Wow, I was curious, and thank you for the information.