Bedding thickness?

T

TrxR

New member
How thick should the bedding compound be?

Im going to attempt my own stock and am wondering how much larger the inlet should be than the action?

The action is 1.350 diameter which is a radius of .675 . 1-11/6 = 1.375 with a radius of .6875 would that leave enough room for bedding?

Thanks
 
There are some that say an even .050” is good and I find little to argue about that. I’ll often mill out a little more generously behind the recoil lug on the sides, leaving a 1/2” wide strip of wood in the middle for locating the action laterally. At the top of the action I do leave it tight for minimal glue line.
 
I usually bed in two steps. The first is a rough bedding after digging and gouging out base material for a good mechanical bond. I then set it up in a mill and take out a uniform depth of roughly .100, leaving points to locate the action in the bedding from the first step. I do glue ins the same way but only take out about .040 for the glue. I do this because of shrinkage but I think shrinkage is less of a concern than it gets credit for being. Devcon's rated shrinkage is .0006 per cubic cm....IIRC. That's dang little by itself but but at .100 depth it is only about 1/4th of that, or about .00015. Now that's reallly small! Keep in mind, two parts of exactly the same size do not fit without interference...they are the SAME.
.00015 is mighty near same!. A 1 inch peg does NOT fit a 1 inch hole without a hammer. Lol!
 
I'm sure it matters a great deal how good your surface prep is and what bedding compound you use. However, your numbers seem like an awfully thin layer to me. I aim for at least 0.062" (1/16") and more is better, within reason. Also, I have a whopping handful of bedding jobs to my credit, so I certainly don't speak authoritatively, but I have enjoyed good results.

GsT
 
mcmillan has a shot vid on bedding.
wish they showed more details
 
mwezell said:
I usually bed in two steps. The first is a rough bedding after digging and gouging out base material for a good mechanical bond. I then set it up in a mill and take out a uniform depth of roughly .100, leaving points to locate the action in the bedding from the first step. I do glue ins the same way but only take out about .040 for the glue. I do this because of shrinkage but I think shrinkage is less of a concern than it gets credit for being. Devcon's rated shrinkage is .0006 per cubic cm....IIRC. That's dang little by itself but but at .100 depth it is only about 1/4th of that, or about .00015. Now that's reallly small! Keep in mind, two parts of exactly the same size do not fit without interference...they are the SAME.
.00015 is mighty near same!. A 1 inch peg does NOT fit a 1 inch hole without a hammer. Lol!
Click to expand...

Im assuming with an action like the Borden BRM with the thick tang you want that tang recessed into the stock so the top of the tang is flush with the stock?
 
Last edited:
mwezell said:
Yes, as with most of the custom br actions.
Click to expand...

I was going to start out with a 1-1/4 box bit for the rough inlet then widen it out ad needed. My other bit option was 1-1/2 which i thought was too big.

You said you like to run around .100 thickness for bedding ? Is that up the sides as well? That would make the channel .200 wider than the action?

Am i thinking correct?

Im probably over thinking things.
 
TrxR said:
I was going to start out with a 1-1/4 box bit for the rough inlet then widen it out ad needed. My other bit option was 1-1/2 which i thought was too big.

You said you like to run around .100 thickness for bedding ? Is that up the sides as well? That would make the channel .200 wider than the action?

Am i thinking correct?

Im probably over thinking things.
Click to expand...

I was referring to the bottom but you do bring up a good point there. I use a 1.375 core box cutter for most round actions. But yeah, ya might be overthinking it a bit.:p It's common amongst the BR crowd, of which I'm one too. I was referring to flat bottom actions like a Panda. I still do pretty much the same thing on round actions though, but not as much on the sides. I like at least .030 on both sides and a little more won't hurt. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
mwezell said:
I was referring to the bottom but you do bring up a good point there. I use a 1.375 core box cutter for most round actions. But yeah, ya might be overthinking it a bit.:p It's common amongst the BR crowd, of which I'm one too. I was referring to flat bottom actions like a Panda. I still do pretty much the same thing on round actions though, but not as much on the sides. I like at least .030 on both sides and a little more won't hurt. Just my 2 cents worth.
Click to expand...

The 1.375 or 1-3/8 core box cutter was what i was trying to find but couldnt find one anywhere. Any idea where a perdon might find one? i should be able to use the 1.250 and just widen it out a little on each side.

Thanks for advice and taking the time to give it.
 
I use devcon steel since it has low shrinkage and very easy to deal with IMO. Roughly a 1/16” here but doubt it matters much based on how they have all shot. Mine are long range hunting rifles, so I do a bit in front of the lug (gasp!)
 
miajacob098 said:
I don't have any experience to make it at home, so I can't say anything about how to make it, well I bought my one from Nest Bedding coupon, because there all sizes of mattress and bed are available according to our requirements, its the easiest way to buy, I hope you will get much good info as well from there.
Click to expand...
I had no idea we were actually talking about bedding in that sense! I’m embarrassed. In that case, don’t use devcon. I simply wash the sheets and comforter once a month on a deep wash setting with a little liquid dish soap ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top