Barrel Bedding

[Bighorn]

I am new to this forum and could use some advice. I recently rebareled a rem 700, 30-06 to 257 weatherby mag. The barrel is a mrs, I went with a straight taper and a muzzle diameter of .775. I didnt give enough thought into finishing the project. I am about to start opening up the barrel channel on a factory laminated stock and I am concerned with how much wood I will be cutting out at the end of the forestock. If I open up enough to have a freefloating barrel there wont be any wood left. Is glass bedding all the way from reciever tang to end of forearm an option. Is there accuracy advantages /disadvantages to doing this. Any advise would be appreciated.
Trevor

 

[alinwa]

I am new to this forum and could use some advice. I recently rebareled a rem 700, 30-06 to 257 weatherby mag. The barrel is a mrs, I went with a straight taper and a muzzle diameter of .775. I didnt give enough thought into finishing the project. I am about to start opening up the barrel channel on a factory laminated stock and I am concerned with how much wood I will be cutting out at the end of the forestock. If I open up enough to have a freefloating barrel there wont be any wood left. Is glass bedding all the way from reciever tang to end of forearm an option. Is there accuracy advantages /disadvantages to doing this. Any advise would be appreciated.
Trevor

Many and plenty rifles have been full length bedded but the ACCURACY standard is set by rifles with free-floating barrels. The free floating barrel is unaffected by stock pressure exerted by the wood, (even laminated stocks move around with moisture variations) and only a free barrel will vibrate repeatably. The .257 is a violent round and will bounce around something frantic. When faced with your situation I've opted to open up the barrel channel and then to laminate some carbon fiber or even fiberglass cloth onto the forend to gain the needed width, then painted the stock. I've even done this with wood strips.

Probably not what you wanted to hear but that's my opinion.

al

 

[Twud]

Floating

A few years back I had my 257 floated and the band removed. I stayed with my factory Fibermark stock . Group sizes fell in half
It looks like you may have to buy an aftermarket stock to accomplish your goal. Or give Weatherby a call, they might be able to tell you which stock has the most meat in the forend.
I would not glass bed the barrel.
Why did you choose such a heavy barrel?