Gunsmithing Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

[jakelly]

I have a McMillan HTG with an adjustable cheek rest. The stock had an action with a single shot follower bedded in it. Is it worth the hassle to try to dig that bedding material out? I would like to use the stock as an adl, but I don't know if it ever was relieved for an internal mag. I am left-handed so these things don't come around used all that often and the HTG is pretty useful. Thanks for the help - Josh

 

[ajwcotton]

Re: Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

If your gonna use a different action it will need to be bedded anyway. So send it to a smith, have him mill all the old bedding materiel out and bed the new action.

 

[johninok]

Re: Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

send it off or take your time with a dremel, and keep checking fit, not that hard if attention is paid, just takes a little time.

 

[jakelly]

Re: Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

Am I creating a problem by milling out an adl magazine well if McMillan didn't make it that way in the first place? Or is the strength unaffected by the cutout?

 

[E. Bryant]

Re: Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

The answer to your question hinges on how much your time is worth to you, and what equipment you can access. If I have a mill handy and it's a relatively uncommon stock (or if the price is really good), no problem. If it's a stock that I can find in the correct configuration for a similar price, I'll pass.

If the stock is priced attractively and if you're in need of a winter project, have at it! Just beware that this type of work can suck up a lot of time.

 

[jakelly]

Re: Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

I have a milling vise for my drill press that'll work. The stock is a mcmillan htg with an adjustable cheek rest that I scavenged off a rifle for free (kinda). I don't know what configuration the stock was ordered in originally, so I am mostly concerned with damaging a stock that was built as a single shot.

So if someone can answer this question I will know my next step: Is there any danger of ruining a McMillan HTG, craftsmanship and human error aside, by milling a blind magazine cutout into it?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

I think the reasoning boils down to whether or not one wants to make a sow's ear out of a silk purse. I think it's foolish economy, and besides, no sow would want to wear it in public anyway.

If thy stock offends thee, sell it, don't bugger it.

Use the proceeds to buy help something that is intended for the new purpose.

Greg

 

[willlongrifle]

Re: Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

Jakelly,I have converted several adls to bdls mcmillans and hs percision stocks with out compromising stock integrity.
Have bdm and mag on hand for the fitting. There's more to this
than just removing material. I have pics I'll post when I find them. Good luck..

P.s. check youtube

 

[jakelly]

Re: Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

Thanks for the help gents, I will make a decision and post an update with pics.

 

[LRI]

Re: Removing bedding, worth the trouble or not?

I have a large inventory of CNC inletting programs on file for preparing a stock for bedding.

Be glad to help.

Merry Xmas,

C.