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Gunsmithing how do I bed a scope base

anthonylapoint

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 8, 2011
651
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central CT
Figured out why my rifle shoots like balls. I took my rifle apart this morning and as I went to take of my scope base, the two rear screws almost fell out. Then I noticed that the front of the scope base is sitting up on top of the recoil lug. Also, the wear marks are all uneven. The scope base is not secured and its not even on there evenly. I need to bed the scope base to the action after i install the competition recoil lug. You know a good link to show me how? I saw one on here not to long ago.

Thanks

Tony
 
Re: how do I bed a scope base

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SavageMOA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Figured out why my rifle shoots like balls. I took my rifle apart this morning and as I went to take of my scope base, the two rear screws almost fell out. Then I noticed that the front of the scope base is sitting up on top of the recoil lug. Also, the wear marks are all uneven. The scope base is not secured and its not even on there evenly. I need to bed the scope base to the action after i install the competition recoil lug. You know a good link to show me how? I saw one on here not to long ago.

Thanks

Tony </div></div>

I have not tried this but this was spoken about in one of the other threads
http://www.murphyprecision.com/Page/Scope_Base_Bedding

V/R
Jason
 
Re: how do I bed a scope base

Tighten the back screws down with no screws in the front. If the front has a gap then bed the front. Take the back screws out and repeat with the front screws. Usually, you only have to bed one end or the other, not both.
 
Re: how do I bed a scope base

Something I do when bedding a base... once you figure out which side to bed, take 2 Q-tips and cut the cotton ends off so you just have the paper rod. Then wrap 1/2" strip of painters tape around one of the ends of each rod until they will snugly plug the scope base holes on the side your bedding. Rub a tiny bit of Kiwi on the painters tape. Now you have two pillars to guide the base down into place while keeping the compound from getting into the holes.

After the base has been screwed down long enough for the bedding to firm up and stop seeping out from between it and the receiver, you can give em a twirl and pull em out. Keeps you from having to excavate the play doh out of the holes and drill the screw holes through the bedding on the base.

Also, be generous with the scuffing you apply to the bottom of the base on the side you're bedding so it'll have a good surface to adhere to. The first time I did one, I just sanded it some and cleaned it. The bedding ended up chipping off when I was drilling the screw holes through it... which led to the Q-tip idea and using a grinding stone to rough up the base.
 
Re: how do I bed a scope base

I lap my bases to the receiver. It just takes 30 minutes or so with some valve grinding compound. It makes me feel better to have both pieces fit metal to metal. The only down side is it will leave scratches and the receiver will need re finished. I've been Duracoating everything anyway, so not a problem to me.
 
Re: how do I bed a scope base

Personally, I would rather tighten the front screws and bed the rear. This to lessen the chance of removing the built in cant of a base. You may end up removing one to two MOA by bedding the front.
 
Re: how do I bed a scope base

A quick thanks to 8541tactical and boudin. Worked like a charm!

I used a Dremel grinding stone to ruff up the base by holding it in my hand and scraping it across the entire rear surface area. Easy as can be.


dwam4p.jpg

 
Re: how do I bed a scope base

I bedded the front of my scope rail slighty to match contor of the reciever and put stop on the front of the rail. then did the 8541 video to bed the back of the rail.

will this affect anything?
 
Re: how do I bed a scope base

Sounds like you made a complete custom fit. If you have a cant to your rail, hopefully you did not take anything away; however, in that you also did the back, I would think you would be golden.