I don't believe in fluted barrels for blackpowder.Part of the reason I bought my blackpowder Omega was the more accurate heavy barrel.Why would anyone want to take some of the steel off the barrel just to make it a couple ounces lighter?It seems to me that most of the muzzleloaders talked about exploding are the cheaper CVA ones that have their barrels made in Spain.I watched a video at an outdoor show on how they are made.Afterwards I was talking to the man who ran the program and explained to him that the CVA rifles were nice but they weren't made in America.It is like most goods made overseas.They are cheaper in price and I believe in quality too.I don't worry at all when I shoot 150 grains of pyrodex out of my Omega.I did alot of research before I bought my muzzleloader and had heard of the CVA barrel problem.With the internet,I do research on my big purchases and study for months before I do actually buy anything that costs a major amount.Do your homework and make sure you read the owners manual before you do any shooting.