Axis Bedding Prep Question

[Nub Hippie]

How are people preparing the slot where the recoil lug fits into the action? i only intend to bed from the back of the lug but i'm worried about epoxy working its way in there and creating a mechanical lock. Any insight would be appreciated.

[SageRat Shooter]

Play dough.... Fill in the slot (between the action and the Barrel nut) and then lube up everything you don't want to stick with your choice of release agent. I may have processes backwards as I did both a pillar job and bedding job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4PVPw_2VQE&index=16&list=PLCzJy0eY5h1EGLan6OXlfbtyozMottoqb&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK3g81i6-so&t=486s&index=15&list=PLCzJy0eY5h1EGLan6OXlfbtyozMottoqb

I used these video to help me, hopefully it will help you...

Good luck.

[Nub Hippie]

I assume non hardening modeling clay will work fine too? I would think that any of the ones that dry hard might be a poor idea. Also all I'm able to get is wax based not oil based, does it matter?

[SageRat Shooter]

I've never used a wax based release agent myself, so I don't know 100% if it would work, but it seems like it should... Maybe someone else will jump in with their experience using the wax based stuff. Modeling clay should work fine as long as it stays soft.

[Nub Hippie]

I meant the clay is wax based. I use Kiwi neutral shoe polish as a release agent.

[Stumpkiller]

Paste wax (or "bowling alley wax") and modeling clay work fine. Put two layers of masking tape (wax after applied) on the front and sides of the lug and that will help as well. Even if some epoxy squeezes in you will have clearance once the tape is removed.

[Nub Hippie]

By the way this is a Boyd's stock that will be pillar bedded beforehand.

[SageRat Shooter]

Perfect... the videos will most definitely help you then... Just make sure you remove the trigger assembly at the back of the action before you bed it... One of those videos will explain why. Sorry I misunderstood that you were referring to the modeling clay being wax based.

I thought play dough was available everywhere....

I will say, that when you're done, you will have learned a lot about your firearm and working on it. Bedding the Axis is kind of a PITA, but you'll know what you're doing on every bedding job you may do after this one...

[Nub Hippie]

Yea my local walmart carries modeling clay, once finished I'll post a follow up and let yall know how it turned out. May not get to it for a couple weeks tho.