Model 40 Varminter Bedding question

[oldwrench]

Looking for bedding advice regarding a Savage Model 40 Varminter. I found a stress deflection of 0.009” when checking barrel to stock fit with a dial indicator while loosening & tightening the stock fixing bolts.


I plan to fabricate two squatty pillars ( the long fixing studs are a game changer ) and full bed the action.
I hope to learn if I should relieve the stock at the rear of the action (behind the Accutrigger hanger) or should I bed that area too. On 110s it is recommended the tang area is left unsupported, free floated. This is an unusual receiver/lug arrangement by comparison. I can see where the rear of the receiver has seriously impressed the two small contact areas into the stock where the receiver meets the tang area of the stock. I am not sure if this is a stress producing point or support point on this rather long action. With the safety inletted as it is, there is little other support for the action from the bolt inlet back.
Any thoughts on this would really be appreciated.
This is a really nicely appointed rifle that should pull ½” to bugholes @ 100.

[J.Baker]

Problem with the old Model 40 Varminter (and it's Mark I/II/93R cousins) is that there just isn't much there in terms of the stock to actually bed. The stocks are soo hogged out for all the bracketry and hangers and such that you basically have two small 1/4 to 3/8" wide strips down the sides and a couple small bridges to apply bedding compound.

Shouldn't need to relieve anything to bed it as a thin skim job is all you really need. If it's a plastic stock I would recommend scuffing up the surface with some course sandpaper and then cleaning and degreasing thoroughly to ensure a good bonding surface for the bedding compound. As for bedding the rear section, it's honestly been so long since I've owned a Savage rimfire (over 10 years now) that I can't really recall what that area looks like to be able to answer that for you.