Gunsmithing Hypothetical question about glass bedding

[EddieE]

If I were to glass bed a gun, then later decide to upgrade the barrel (or the barrel is shot out and I want to replace it), am I limited to the same contour/barrel diameter that the gun originally had, or can I go bigger without issues? Just thinking and planning ahead....I haven't even bought the gun in question. Trying to figure out if I should upgrade the barrel at the time of bedding.

thanks

 

[G17C]

Since only the receiver is bedded - not the barrel - a barrel change in itself should be no problem. That said, the recoil lug recess should probably be cleaned out and re-bedded with a barrel change (assuming a Remington 700).

 

[Fursniper]

What G17C said plus, barrel channels can be milled out to accomodate a larger contour barrel, up to a point anyway depending on the type of stock you have. With the "tupperware" stocks not so much but a decent fiberglass stock, you bet.

 

[EddieE]

What G17C said plus, barrel channels can be milled out to accomodate a larger contour barrel, up to a point anyway depending on the type of stock you have. With the "tupperware" stocks not so much but a decent fiberglass stock, you bet.

Thanks. So, I assume Manners, McMillan, HS and BC are considered decent fiberglass stocks?

I would likely put one of the above on the gun.

 

[Fursniper]

It depends a little bit on what you start with. If you start with a McMillian A5 for example (their most popular and successful stock), you bet. It has a very wide & stiff forearm that can accommodate just about any available contour. I had a remington 5r in an H&S with a stock contour and replaced the barrel with a krieger M24 contour, it worked out quite nicely after having the forearm milled out slightly as the H&S had the room to mill out some of the forearm and still maintain a good degree of stiffness. On the other hand, all those stock manufacturers make stocks with slim forearms as well, with less "meat" to work with subsequently there are more limitations. Stick with a tactical style stock from either McMillian or Manners and you should be good to go on just about any contour out there. If you know what barrel you want, just order a stock already contoured for that barrel (and whatever action as well of course).

 

[supercorndogs]

Thanks. So, I assume Manners, McMillan, HS and BC are considered decent fiberglass stocks?

I would likely put one of the above on the gun.

HS and B&C decent. Manner and McMillan great. They are in different leagues.

 

[spife7980]

I have beded the first 1" of a barrel and when I put a new one on I just got a dowel wrapped with sand paper and relieved it so that the barrel area of bedding was clear of the barrel.

 

[MtnCreek]

Since only the receiver is bedded - not the barrel - a barrel change in itself should be no problem. That said, the recoil lug recess should probably be cleaned out and re-bedded with a barrel change (assuming a Remington 700).

Should the lug area be cut / re-bedded when changing barrels using the same recoil lug? Thanks.

 

[Fursniper]

Should the lug area be cut / re-bedded when changing barrels using the same recoil lug? Thanks.

YES! BE sure your recoil lug is not touching the bottom of the bedding either after you rebed. One way to do that is add some tape to the very bottom of the lug before inserting into the bedding. After curing, remove the tape.

 

[G17C]

Should the lug area be cut / re-bedded when changing barrels using the same recoil lug? Thanks.

As Fursniper stated above, yes.

Unless the lug was already pinned from a previous barrel change, the chances of it ending up clocked in the exact same position is unlikely. Additionally, the factory lug will likely be changed for an aftermarket version or trued-up with a surface grinder. If you have the receiver trued as part of the barrel change, that too will change the dimensions and require re-bedding of the lug area.

A Dremel makes quick work of removing existing bedding material, so it's not a major task to re-bed to ensure optimum results.