Bedding a rifle my way

[hereinaz]

So, these are pics of how I bed my rifle. There are tons of vids and tutorials, and I researched a ton. My first one was a disaster and I followed instructions...

Prep of the stock:

I learned, and since pictures are worth a thousand words, here you go.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/315b523d4e79669283cb5857359c161a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/b72e4b25ca72d98c1bb4d316e8cf2047.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/a9e61f348455d029b43ae9bd25be477c.jpg

[hereinaz]

The prepped action:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/169cd9ac4b6fef76bf7d33cb4c1e37dc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/d7772d6b11a36b62e4d4710760028d03.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/48af943027cc45cfa315308b7a1c770a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/0b902c7e3a9851500a1eedc46be7c401.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/18ece61cb6abc3d3436e7f1f49bf49e2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/d1a8d6bd625399530a9fd52502c9336c.jpg

[hereinaz]

The test fit:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/0e12e7d3d2871bd5621db720a7bb2011.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/2ca8687a807449854b8debc68ea8c9d7.jpg

[hereinaz]

The epoxy PUTTY mix. Devcon 11001 steel putty mix from Amazon. I found the putty style is so much better. I used the runny stuff, and it takes so much more prep work and cleanup...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/70d8eb1ea5df826084ad3dea7a926c2c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/b0b5b653608f06c033fe1233774ca005.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/40c65deff885f59653c974302e49a79c.jpg

[hereinaz]

The squeeze out, very minimal and easy to clean:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/98b2d506a6b8eb25a221265310cc7e7e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/52c2b5b402e5acba88e2bb109da3aa3b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/76c3f731f9c9178b8ca2d1fd99ae9d82.jpg

[hereinaz]

I don't clamp, because it can bend the action or other parts, so I use tape that has some compressive force. Electrical tape works, i just had this red placric tape handy. That is all, tape.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/f12eb377183fa63d49ba8c7424675292.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/342442301a25db53a20e4c61698be2e9.jpg

[hereinaz]

A couple of things.

I use masking tape to float the tang and the barrel. I use three or four layers, depending on the float. The other masking tape on the action and stock is maybe two layers thick so it doesn't affect float.

I use masking tape to cover the action and stock where I don't want epoxy. I use mink oil as a release agent every where except on the stock where I want it to stick! I use it cause it is what I had. I like that it is a little bit thicker to apply and see.

I use masking tape on the screws to center them in the hole so only the recoil lug bears laterally.

I bought long screws from Ace and cut off the head.

[Bimmer]

Dumb question:

Wouldn't it be better to use Saran Wrap instead of masking tape, so that it follows the countours of the action better?

It seems like all those spot where you've got the tape crumpled up is going to create voids in your bedding...

[hereinaz]

Dumb question:

Wouldn't it be better to use Saran Wrap instead of masking tape, so that it follows the countours of the action better?

It seems like all those spot where you've got the tape crumpled up is going to create voids in your bedding...
There is no bedding wherever I have masking tape. I only bed the back of the recoil lug and under the action near the front action screw and then only the small part showing near the rear action screw.

[Bimmer]

Aha, that makes sense!

I'm about to bed an old Marlin .22 (my first bedding job), so I'm reading up on the process...

[RustyShackle]

Cool! Almost what I do also. I add a dam of modeling clay in the barrel channel just ahead of the bbl nut and bed the action to the bbl nut. I use kiwi neutral boot polish as release agent and JB weld or devcon. have used both in the past. I also float via layers of masking tape. I however tape down the edge of stock to keep putty off things, less to clean up when it squeezes out too. Oh, and old bicycle inner tube works great for getting initial fit to stock when bedding. stretch around and tie it.

Great post!

[olddav]

Pics of finished product?

[hereinaz]

Pics of finished product?
Pics coming...

[justinp61]

Very similar to how I do mine.

[hereinaz]

So, here is a finished bedding job. On this one, you can see the bearing surface on the rear action screw is pretty minimal.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170308/9d8ddd4adb2752c0e412528ccfa7a71f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170308/72d7cbbe855e201f754006b00719a414.jpg

[hereinaz]

Here it is in the action. I floated the rear tang a little more than usual on this one because of a couple factors... but I like it.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170308/9a5cfe7be164fcf3a95c1557b2db1db8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170308/5ecb752f585af9694713213908067f10.jpg

[aephilli822]

Here it is in the action. I floated the rear tang a little more than usual on this one because of a couple factors... but I like it.



would you mind telling what the factors are that made you want to float the tang "more than usual"? (and how much is usual?)

[hereinaz]

would you mind telling what the factors are that made you want to float the tang "more than usual"? (and how much is usual?)Question a while ago, but I floated this one more because of the way it sat in the barrel channel mostly. Also wanted more clearance for other barrels I may put in. Intended this action for a switch barrel set up.

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[bsekf]

What is your rational for so little bearing surface around the rear screw? And, not using pillars?

[hereinaz]

There just isnt much room back there for a rear bed, and most of the work is done up front.

Eventually I will get around to pillars, but with the insert on the front screw and the steel trigger guard on the front, compression of the laminate is not nearly as big an issue on a hunting gun that doesnt see a lot of shooting.

Eventually, I will put in pillars, but I find the improvement comes with bedding the recoil lug and the action. So, being short on time that day, I just did the action.

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