Does swapping similar actions necessitate re-bedding the stock?

[twentytwoguy]

I have a stock that is bedded for a certain Savage model 12 target action and want to know if another action (exact same model and configuration) would fit it without rebedding or do action variations make enough difference to worry about it affecting accuracy?
TIA.

 

[alinwa]

If you want it right scrape it out and rebed. It's called 'skim bedding' and it's easy.......... leave little 'islands' of material around the screws, open up the recoil lug cutout perty good and rebed.

If you're happy with the way it shoots as-is then don't bother. It won't hurt anything.

al

 

[4Mesh]

If the action uses a recoil lug, I'd be surprised if it would even come close to going in. On a really heavy custom action, the bedding means a lot less than it does on a factory gun like a Remmy or a Savage. The reason you do bedding is because the action flexes, and those are much more likely to do so than say a 1.5" diameter custom with no feed rails / bottom hardware.

As Al says, do a skim coat and don't be bashful around that recoil lug when you're removing the old stuff.