V bedding block, how much clearance around for epoxy?

[SNDCDN]

Just starting to look into doing my first rifle built, gonna use an older stock and a V bedding block in aluminum. I haven't been able to find any information on the normal installation procedure for those. So about how much clearance do you leave all around to sit it in? Also any tips on alignment, was thinking of tapping a longer piece of round bar to match the action screws, mounting the bedding block to it and then setting it in.
.020"-.030" all around, or more or less?

Thanks for any information on how to best do this.

 

[Al Nyhus]

.020 would be the minimum....I'd opt no less than .030. I'd suggest drilling some angled blind holes on the bottom for the epoxy to creep into and help lock it in place as well as some half-round grooves vertically up both sides of the block for the same reason. Make sure the surfaces are pretty darn rough and clean it with acetone right before you install it.

Your idea of a tapped round bar of action diameter will work well for alignment. You can also bore the front side of the round bar to accept a piece of 1" o.d. material to better help with getting the barrel straight down the channel. A straight 1" hardwood dowel works well for this.

J.B. Weld 'original' (not J.B. Kwik) or Pro Bed 2000 are both darn good for this application.

Good shootin'. -Al