Gunsmithing How to tell if my action needs bedding?

[Furner]

I searched and didnt come up with anything useful. I just got a B&C stock, and to see how much contact I had with the forward bedding area, I put a little grease on the bedding block. Screwed on the action and then took it back off. It looks like I am only getting contact with the bedding block to the front of the action screw.

Is this a problem or good enough?

 

[Travis S]

Re: How to tell if my action needs bedding?

Shoot and see. A majority of the time properly bedding a rifle doesn't hurt. At least you'll have a baseline making it easier to track improvements.

 

[Furner]

Re: How to tell if my action needs bedding?

Thats probably a good idea i guess. I just get anxious.

 

[Jrb572]

Re: How to tell if my action needs bedding?

I read somewhere once take playdough and put it on the bedding block and torque down the action. If no playdough is left on the bedding block or the action it's good to go. I tryed it on my B&C on my 300wm. None on either action or the bedding block. Not 100% sure if that is a correct way to do it. But it might be worth a try.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: How to tell if my action needs bedding?

My B&C Light Tactical needs to be skim bedded. After a thousand rounds it has wear marks to indicate that the receiver is not in full contact with the bedding block. This is to be expected.

How much is it impacting accuracy? Not enough for me to loose sleep over. With 168 FGMM it's still a 1/2 to 3/4 MOA rifle. With my handloads its consistent with 1/2" groups at 100.

In a week or two I will probably break it down and bed it.

 

[scotharr]

Re: How to tell if my action needs bedding?

Ya, I think bedding is farther down the list of accuracy-improving tasks. But, any top-dollar rifle has got to have it!

 

[Clark]

Re: How to tell if my action needs bedding?

Hard kicking rifles always seem to shoot better with bedding.
Bull barreled 223s shooting 35 gr bullets never seem to benefit.

What does it all mean?
The bedding allows a low compliance [read stiff] connection between stock and action that allows the stock to consistently add a mass to the total recoiling mass, thus changing the point of aim less in a consistent way before the bullet exits the bore.

What does all THAT mean?
The action screw connection pressing action and stock together without bedding is perfect for light recoil.
But guns that kick hard can loose accuracy to that connection flexing or shifting.

 

[dinc]

Re: How to tell if my action needs bedding?

If it shoots less than 1/4" groups at 100 yards it doesn't need bedded.

If it doesn't, it needs bedded.

If it has been bedded check the bedding by mounting a dial indicator on the barrel reading deflection of the stock away from the barrel. Then alternatly loosen and re-torque the action screws monitoring the indicator. 0.001-.003" movement is good bedding. More than 0.005" movement rebed or skim-bed. No movement means binding someplace, not good.

If you're planning to spend $1000's of dollars on a rifle have it done. If not, bed it youself and learn. Invest in a Dremel or better yet a Gunsmith class. DC

 

[GMAC7949]

Re: How to tell if my action needs bedding?

I just got my B&C medalist and checked it and the recoil lug was only touching on the right side. I have never done bedding so I just finished it today, turned out just as good as I had seen done by pro's. I used Marine-Tex and Kwie shoe polish (nuetral) for a relise agent worked out great. saved my self some money and got the pride of doing it my self.

 

[Furner]

Re: How to tell if my action needs bedding?

Im just going to have to wait and see how it shoots. Once I get my TPS rings I can be happy with the quality of my hardware and then start tweaking stuff.