Gunsmithing Bedding the bottom metal?

[gunnergirl81]

Ok. Rebuilt the Mauser based stick and got a nice steel Oberndorf bottom metal to replace the milsurp that was original. The problem is that it leaves a gap between the metal and the inlet. I'm rebedding the action and don't know if I should be afraid to shoot it with that gap around the BM. Also, the stock is a Richards Microfit laminate thats very similar to a McM A3. The issue is the bedding around the BM will show. I use Devcon steel to bed the action as it won't show under the action, but I'm thinking about coating the rifle in FDE or OD and that grey/black around the BM will stick out like a whore in church. Is there a product thats hard as Devcon, but will blend better with the wood? Acraglass maybe? A hard cure wood putty would be awesome, but I don't know of any. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Bedding the bottom metal?

Acragel comes with brown dye for wood stocks. It has the consistency of most epoxies, including Devcon.


Acraglass is watery thin and wont work for most bedding jobs guys do one here. It's for something else.

 

[gunnergirl81]

Re: Bedding the bottom metal?

Acragel eh? Lemme see what Brownells wants for some.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Bedding the bottom metal?

You could get real artsy and make it look ok.

Throw some wood dust in from the same type of wood maybe....

some super glue for shine lol




The Acragel kit comes with black and brown dye. The gel itself is tan-ish white if I remember correctly. Like I said its a thicker consistency that you can actually use. The Acraglass is VERY thin. Just runs everywhere.

 

[pjparker]

Re: Bedding the bottom metal?

I think Acraglass was the original Brownell's bedding stuff. To use it you had to build dams with modeling clay to keep it where you wanted it. The stuff would flow into places that water wouldn't go, it was so thin and runny.

Paul

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: Bedding the bottom metal?

Depends on the gap you speak of, If it is 1/8 then some filler is in order. If it is an even gap say 1/16 or less around it, let it be. If you do decide to bed in the bottom metal, wrap a few layers of tape around the perimieter of it when you bed. Once the tape is removed you will have a slight gap around it. Don't want it too tight.

 

[phideaux]

Re: Bedding the bottom metal?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pjparker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think Acraglass was the original Brownell's bedding stuff. To use it you had to build dams with modeling clay to keep it where you wanted it. The stuff would flow into places that water wouldn't go, it was so thin and runny.

Paul </div></div>

I've bedded many rifles over the years and repaired a ton of stuff with the original Accraglas.....I hate that runny shit. it does help if you add floc and/or micro ballons. Kenda, Accraglas gel will work fine for what you're doing. the brown dye will make it brown, but just use a pinhead size drop, the dye goes a long way. if you're just going to paint the stock it won't matter. Accraglas will probably make the paint "shiny" in that area. no matter how i knock the shine off the accraglas, it's still shiny where you paint over the epoxy.

 

[gunnergirl81]

Re: Bedding the bottom metal?

Ok boys, thanks for all the thoughts and advice. Had the rifle torn down yesterday (threaded the barrel and made a brake for it) and mentioned the ideas to my hubby. He laughed and said I was such a girl! The gap is between 1/8 and 1/32 depending on the spot you look at. He said if it bothered me that much he'd fill it with epoxy and paint it brown to blend in with the stock. While he was looking at it thought he decided he didn't like the bedding and ground it out to start over!

Men...