Hey guys.
I’m building my first bolt action and need some help/insight on my thought processes based on what I’ve read and looked up on YouTube on the bedding of the barreled action. I understand that there’s more than one way to skin a cat and achieve the same results.
I’ve been gathering parts as funds allow, and expect my AG Composites stock to ship this week (I’ve confirmed with them since I know their CNC machine was down for a month).
So in a lot of research and hours spent on YouTube, here’s my thought process for bedding this thing my first time. I’m pretty confident in my mechanical abilities in which a previous job, I performed the remove and replace of upgraded components on the F-35 ejection seat. I’m open to any/all advice.
I’ve seen the youtube videos by Gradous Rifles, but was disappointed that the rifle bedding series wasn’t finished before he passed away. I’ve also seen gavintoobe with ultimate reloader’s video. There’s one video by Long Range Only that seems to be pretty darn good. Out of these main ones I’ve seen, what isn’t explained is how do you pop the barreled action out? Do you rasp on the bottom of the stock with a rubber mallet to creat vibration to pop it out? This part is the main part that I’m not real clear on and want to find out and research it to death before I do this on my own.
I’m building my first bolt action and need some help/insight on my thought processes based on what I’ve read and looked up on YouTube on the bedding of the barreled action. I understand that there’s more than one way to skin a cat and achieve the same results.
I’ve been gathering parts as funds allow, and expect my AG Composites stock to ship this week (I’ve confirmed with them since I know their CNC machine was down for a month).
- AG Composites Stock
- Impact 787 action
- Proof Research pre-fit barrel
- Hawkins M5 DBM
- Triggertech Diamond Trigger
So in a lot of research and hours spent on YouTube, here’s my thought process for bedding this thing my first time. I’m pretty confident in my mechanical abilities in which a previous job, I performed the remove and replace of upgraded components on the F-35 ejection seat. I’m open to any/all advice.
- Receive stock, perform initial fit of components.
- Disassemble and apply dry erase marker on bottom of action then re-assemble to look where the high spots/rubbing is (Even though I know the inletting is done based on my specs when I ordered the stock.
- Also apply electrical tape to barrel to ensure that it’s centered on the fore-end.
- Use dremal and carbide bit to slowly and carefully remove material where action will rest, including some of the rear tang.
- Use modeling clay (I’ve read that the modeling clay from Brownells is best as it does not dry out and can be re-used multiple times to fill action, bolt and safety recess, trigger mount recess, then use fishing line or dental floss to draw over the modeling clay for a round/smooth finish.
- Apply some modeling clay “worms” in the fore-end (front and back) to support the barrel while it’s waiting on the bedding to cure.
- Apply a clay dam in front of recoil lug to make sure bedding doesn’t leak ahead of the lug.
- Use green frog tape to tape off in front of the recoil lug, and 3M vinyls tape to sides and bottom of recoil lug.
- Mask off stock also (I know some say not necessary).
- Wrap electrical tape around studs to ensure action is being inserted in the center of the pillars and that no bedding can seep down into the pillars.
- Insert studs in action and perform dry run of applying the bedding and the process.
- Clean action with accetone.
- Apply two coats of Brownell’s Acra release agent on the action studs, and action.
- I was gonna use the SC Johnson’s Paste Wax, but they don’t make it anymore, and I’ve read that first timers shouldn’t use it till they’ve done multiple bedding.
- Mix up the white Marine Tex (more than what is estimated)
- Once mixed thoroughly with the hardener, add orange mica powder to dye bedding orange (The stock finish is the Bengal Rogue color).
- Use popsicle sticks to apply bedding to the stock, then prior to bedding, apply a skim layer of bedding to bottom of barreled action prior to inserting into stock.
- Once inserted, use Q-tips, and popsicle sticks cut flat to remove squeeze out.
- Wrap surgical tubing around barreled action and remove any further squeeze out.
- Wait 24 hours (I’ve read that some wait 48 hours and one guy waits 6 days) for bedding to cure.
- Use vice grips to remove studs from action
- Pop out barreled action and hand sand or gently drum dremal out bedding from stock as needed.
I’ve seen the youtube videos by Gradous Rifles, but was disappointed that the rifle bedding series wasn’t finished before he passed away. I’ve also seen gavintoobe with ultimate reloader’s video. There’s one video by Long Range Only that seems to be pretty darn good. Out of these main ones I’ve seen, what isn’t explained is how do you pop the barreled action out? Do you rasp on the bottom of the stock with a rubber mallet to creat vibration to pop it out? This part is the main part that I’m not real clear on and want to find out and research it to death before I do this on my own.
