Glass bedding snafu

I currently am dealing with a nightmare on a glass bedding job on my axis with a custom stock from boyd's and don't know what else to do. the bedding seized up the action screws and the heads were stripped in the process and once i was able to get the bolt open after putting it in the freezer I found that bedding compound had gotten into the chamber I attempted to chip it out into the action and got the cleaning rod stuck in the compound/ Barrel I am at my wits end and no longer know what to do does anyone have any tips? I'm already debating on weather I should take it in to a gunsmith, buy a new rifle and install it to the stock after I have extracted the screws and cleaned up the flashing that remains from the glass bedding please help I am open to suggestions

Sorry man no Idea, but I am subscribing to see what the gun gurus say about this one. Oh and knowing what snafu stands I would hope this doesn't apply :cool:.

Is it possible to make new heads in the screws by using a dremel and cutting a notch for a flat head screw driver? If so get a soldering gun and hold it on the screw head and let it heat the screw and melt the bedding compound around it. You should be able to at least get the screws out. This process will take awhile you just have to keep trying to loosen the screws until they finally break free.

Did you use any release agent at all or is the entire action now glued to the stock as well? Once you get the screws out you may have to carefully cut the stock off and replace it. Hope it all works out for you.

going to be using a chisel to break up the bedding around the screw and try to use a power drill with an extractor, and I heavily coated everything in the release agent that is provided by brownells. i'm already thinking about just ordering a new rifle and salvaging this stock

If screw extractor does not work, use drill & remove bolt heads by drilling them out. Use progressively larger drill till bolt head comes off. Now take deep breath, holding rifle in hand give barrel a good whack on solid padded surface, hopefully action came loose. Bedding material may be in places it should not be,inspect and remove it as required. Barrel may not be salvageable, but action could be re-barreled. Keep us updated on progress.

I got to tell you, this seems like a project I would be willing to go after. It doesnt work now, so I cant make it any worse.

Go for it. Get a little rough with it. Heat and rotary tools and chisel. Order a new stock too. Maybe even a new barrel. As long as the action isn't toast, it's not a total loss.

Or maybe, after drilling off the action screw heads as short round suggested, turn the rifle upside down and whack the heck out of the stock around the pillar areas with a 1- or 2-lb rubber mallet. Then put the stock in a vise, using leather or rubber to cover the jaws, with the bottom side up. Take a 1/4" punch and a ball peen hammer, and start working alternately on the action screws, going gently at first and getting more serious as needed. Make sure you have removed all of the head off the screws though, or else you'll just drive the pillars out of the stock. You may end up doing that anyway, but if so, you should be able to just unscrew them from the action with pliers once it's out of the stock.
I'd be more concerned with trying to save the action than the stock or the barrel, as it's by far the most expensive piece. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by barrel-nut

I'd be more concerned with trying to save the action than the stock or the barrel, as it's by far the most expensive piece. Good luck.

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Not by much... It's an axis... lol (This is coming from the guy that owns two of them, the last one I've got about $110 in. My Boyds stock cost more than that with shipping)

I'm just going to salvage the stock and order a new rifle for it and then if anyone is looking for a project or a parts gun id be happy to part ways with the barreled action it already has a trigger job done on it and was pulling around 2.5 -3 pounds

Don't give up yet! Where are you located? There may be someone nearby who can help you. Epoxy is strong, but it isn't adamantium. Drilling out the screw heads and breaking the action loose is a good first step that doesn't require specialist tools. Even someone buying the gun off you is going to need new action screws, and having the action free is going to allow a better view of the problem. Breaking the barrel nut loose requires some more specialized equipment, but that too should not be impossible for someone with a vise and pipe wrench (assuming the barrel nut can be sacrificed).

Once the gun is in pieces, it will be easy to heat the steel up to a temperature where the epoxy will soften, making it easier to pick out. You can do this!

I'm in ogden, ut and that all sounds good but the main factor behind my decision to scrap it is that I have an elk hunt in november and this was going to be my elk rifle and Id rather have something in good working order next moth and thats my best option

Just take a little propane torch to the epoxy and melt it. It is not going to hurt the gun at all. Just keep the flame moving. As soon as the epoxy is smoking start scraping and prying, brushing.

What caliber and how much if you are going to get rid of it?

it's a 30-06 and I'll try that after I get the rifle seperated from the stock this weekend, I plan on using a soldering iron to heat up the screws to break them loose from the epoxy. I'm going to go ahead get another axis in 30-06 for my elk hunt, and if I can't salvage the barrel from this one I will be getting rid of it.

if I do decide to sell it i will let you know

I'm pleased to announce that I just got the rifle back from my local gunsmith and it is up and running in great condition and the bedding job stayed intact along with the stock

Great!

Awesome news!

Did you save the barrel and action?