They're not as stiff as they would be if it wasn't fluted. Each flute heats up at a different rate so during prolonged firing and barrel heating, the muzzle will move off of zero more than with a solid barrel.

They ARE lighter, and they look cool. For a cold bore shot they'll do just as well as a standard barrel.

My understanding is that Properly fluted barrels are for all practical purposes identically as stiff as an un-fluted barrel of the same outside diameter.  If the stock is well vented, fluted barrels heat uniformly.  The biggest difference, apart from weight, is that they heat and cool faster than un-fluted barrels due to less mass and greater surface area.

Asgen Karlson…is 100% correct, it is more a trend for a cool factor versus any real practical use.
And its a big misconception that fluted barrels are stiffer…you actually reduce the rigidity of the same barrel when you flute it.  Weight savings is the only positive thing achieved, and really only practical on a carry rifle.

I really like the look of a fluted barrel and will probably buy one at some point, I love the look of the barrels on the new Tikka SuperLite series!!!  But would not flute any rifle barrel I currently have to gain any shooting advantages.

Directly from Shilen Rifle Inc…

Q: What about “fluting” a barrel?

“Fluting is a service we neither offer nor recommend. If you have a Shilen barrel fluted, the warranty is void. Fluting a barrel can induce unrecoverable stresses that will encourage warping when heated and can also swell the bore dimensions, causing loose spots in the bore. A solid (un-fluted) barrel is more rigid than a fluted barrel of equal diameter. A fluted barrel is more rigid than a solid barrel of equal weight. All rifle barrels flex when fired. Accuracy requires that they simply flex the same and return the same each time they are fired, hence the requirement for a pillar bedded action and free floating barrel. The unrecoverable stresses that fluting can induce will cause the barrel to flex differently or not return from the flexing without cooling down a major amount. This is usually longer than a shooter has to wait for the next shot. The claim of the flutes helping to wick heat away faster is true, but the benefit of the flutes is not recognizable in this regard until the barrel is already too hot”.

Kreiger didn't have a problem fluting the barrel on “The Beast”, and They stand behing their barrels.

And I like the way it shoots… 😉

Let's get practical here, folks. Tikka…1 shot…dead animal…heat/stress…minimal. ;D

Ok there seems to be some confusion here regarding fluting.  I will try to present the facts using hypothetical barrels.  A bull barrel of one inch in diameter has virtually the same stiffness as the same barrel fluted.  Two barrels of the same weight, one Sporter and one fluted leads us to the following: the fluted one is far stiffer than the Sporter.  The equal Sporter and fluted will heat at the same rate, but the fluted will cool faster due to the greater surface area.
If stiffness is defined by resistance to flex for a given barrel weight, then fluted is far more resistant to flex per pound and Asgen and Dog are missing the mark.  If you are defining it by diameter of barrel, um miss again.
I don't claim to be right I just like to be proved “not wrong”.
While I don't like to be wrong, I will always acknowledge my failings, so if I got this wrong tell me.

Shilen is not teqnically wrong regarding the above quote, but they are wrong in a practical sense I think.  The difference between their hypothetical barrels is nothing measururable.  Bye the way, the idea that stresses are induced by fluting is not documented and could be relieved by cryogenic treatment, also the claim of bore variation is spurious and not documented by any research I know of. I guess I'm saying Shilen is saying things that are not …true or proved.

Great barrels, use em just don't believe their talk without evidence.

LOL…this as been debated so many times before on other forums, was wondering when it would start here and when the Physicist would come out…

Ericbc7…We are not confused or missing the mark, why you gotta go there because we have a difference of opinion, sometimes you honestly make no sense with your rambling…This is not the first time you have misread and contradicted a post while missing the point, you must be killing google with your data searches…its ok to be wrong sometimes.

My response is to the OP asking about drawbacks to “a” fluted barrel.  We are talking about comparing “a” barrel, the same barrel, with or without fluting.  Not comparing various barrels of different weight and dia, and contour. Of course there are differences if you start talking about various diameters and weight.  BUT that wasn't the the question or topic…I have to challenge you here though…

“A bull barrel of one inch in diameter has virtually the same stiffness as the same barrel fluted”…This is incorrect, and depth of fluting plays a big role here…and if its “virtually” the same, what is the advantage other then aesthetics?
its a proven fact, when you remove material from “A” barrel when fluting…it will be weaker and flex more, with all things being equal at the start using 2 identical barrels before and after fluting.  Weight savings is the only advantage.  Show me other wise and I'm a converted believer.

This link explains it the best in its simplest form…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluting_(firearms)

To the OP….don't mean to start a debate, this topic as been beat to death already.
I love fluted barrels, but my only reason for buying one would be for weight savings or looks.
And honestly the weight savings is nothing if you carry a pack. Those few ounces you save will be taken up with something else for sure.  So main reason would be looks!

A good debate is Helical versus Straight fluting!!!  That would be a good topic, a lot of good opinions on that one I'm sure.

Can anyone tell me if there is any draw back to a fluted barrel?

Just don't know of any draw backs for long term barrel performance.

Geez you guys are making a mountain out of a molehill. Dog, since you are having a hard time grasping the question he is asking, I quoted him for you. He isn't asking if YOU would want one…or what YOUR only reason for buying one would be. No reason to be rude to Eric, he's just trying to help…just like you are.

To the OP…drawbacks-no.

Long term barrel performance drawbacks-no.

Can anyone tell me if there is any draw back to a fluted barrel?

Just don't know of any draw backs for long term barrel performance.

Geez you guys are making a mountain out of a molehill. Dog, since you are having a hard time grasping the question he is asking, I quoted him for you. He isn't asking if YOU would want one…or what YOUR only reason for buying one would be. No reason to be rude to Eric, he's just trying to help…just like you are.

To the OP…drawbacks-no.

Long term barrel performance drawbacks-no.

First off my apologizes to the OP for this simple topic going sideways…this is my last post on this topic.

I think people need to actually read a full post before they comment…
Yukonal…Did you read the information I posted? And by the way, fluting can cause ill effects to a barrel and some will show dramatic long term effects…Not all but some. Shoot equal rounds through a fluted barrel and the same non fluted barrel at the range and you will be surprised what you see when they start getting warm. One will perform a lot better…test it and report if you ever have the opportunity to try it.
Why do you think a company like Accuracy International no longer flutes their barrels…

I think I and other people have provided information the OP was looking for…There are issues with fluted barrels and there are in some causes long term effects with fluted barrels.  My biggest problem with this forum is there is way too much info posted from theory and not from actual time behind the guns and experience in the field.

As I stated above, the OP's question was answered perfectly in the very first post by Asgen Karlson …and I then followed up with more information on drawbacks on performance and effects on fluted barrels  with information directly from Shilen, a credited barrel manufacturer…this was my grasp on the OP's questions, post information on long term barrel performance.  Me stating how I liked them and if I would buy was just an opinion and conversation.

Sorry I was being far more judgmental than warranted, thanks for thoughtful replies…
Also avoid posting after 2 for 1 Long Island ice tea night.

I think our misunderstanding might be related to my profession, as a civil engineer I think of stiffness as “resistance to bending”.  Barrels don't respond this way.  They bulge and contract and stiffness may mean something different from the columns I am familiar with.  My appologies to Dog and asgen for applying my experience to the possibly unrelated subject.