Bedding question...variation in results with the same barreled action

[Boyd Allen]

Here is one that I have not seen discussed. Have you seen significant differences in the accuracy produced by a given barreled action, that has been glued in, when the bedding was redone. If you have, what do you think was different about the rebed, or perhaps, if the accuracy got worse, why that may have happened. Mightn't we be looking at differences in accuracy as if the action is the issue, when it might be the bedding? Are all glue-ins created equal? If not, what are the common mistakes, and are their variations in how they are done that produce significant differences in performance?

 

[Mike Bryant]

Boyd, I've done pillar beds where I wrapped the action to the stock with surgical tubing. I've had more trouble getting a good stress free bedding job when I tried using surgical tubing to hold the action to the stock than if I just let the bedding set up with the rifle in a cleaning cradle and let gravity hold the barreled action in place while the bedding sets up. I would guess that if you clamp the action into the stock while you are gluing an action that you could induce stresses into the action as the epoxy sets up.

FWIW, when I glue an action into a benchrest stock, I bed it first, then degrease everything, rough up the bedding and the action bottom, use JB Weld for the epoxy, applying it to both surfaces then use an arbor press to bottom out the action in the bedding. Clean up the excess epoxy that has oozed out and let gravity hold the action in place in the stock while the epoxy sets up with the receiver only in the stock. No tubing, clamps or anything else holding the receiver to the stock while the epoxy sets up.

 

[Boyd Allen]

Thanks Mike,
That is good info.
Boyd

 

[Dave Tooley]

Boyd, I've done pillar beds where I wrapped the action to the stock with surgical tubing. I've had more trouble getting a good stress free bedding job when I tried using surgical tubing to hold the action to the stock than if I just let the bedding set up with the rifle in a cleaning cradle and let gravity hold the barreled action in place while the bedding sets up. I would guess that if you clamp the action into the stock while you are gluing an action that you could induce stresses into the action as the epoxy sets up.

FWIW, when I glue an action into a benchrest stock, I bed it first, then degrease everything, rough up the bedding and the action bottom, use JB Weld for the epoxy, applying it to both surfaces then use an arbor press to bottom out the action in the bedding. Clean up the excess epoxy that has oozed out and let gravity hold the action in place in the stock while the epoxy sets up with the receiver only in the stock. No tubing, clamps or anything else holding the receiver to the stock while the epoxy sets up.

+1