Gunsmithing Bedding a Bell & Carlson A2 stock

[Joe Perlo]

Do you have to? It has a full size aluminum bed in it, but I keep on reading about people bedding them. I've been reading up on the A2 model (I really like this one) and I've noticed that people are bedding them. Am I wrong thinking that it's not needed? Thanks, Joe

 

[stockdoc]

Re: Bedding a Bell & Carlson A2 stock

You dont have to but it wont hurt either. And i have seen some that shoot better after. So its up to you!

 

[Joe Perlo]

Re: Bedding a Bell & Carlson A2 stock

Thanks Stockdoc. I'll have to see how it shoots first then make that decision. Joe

 

[PBRACEGUNS]

Re: Bedding a Bell & Carlson A2 stock

I have 2 of the B&C Light Tactical stocks. The only bedding I did was to fill the void around the recoil lug. There is "slop" room there. But it only changed the accuracy of 1 of the rifles slightly. less than 1/32" in group size.Note here:rifles were fired on different days with very close weather conditions so it could have been my shooting that showed the change. With the action screws snugged I just lightly bumped the recoil pad on the work table to ensure the lug was against the lug recess and torqued the screws. The are pretty solid without bedding.

 

[Boltfluter]

Re: Bedding a Bell & Carlson A2 stock

If it shoots as is, I would just shoot it and not worry about it.

Regards,
Paul

 

[Squid284]

Re: Bedding a Bell & Carlson A2 stock

I have never bedded my B&C A5. (same alum bedding block) As long as nothing is off or binding you should be fine.

 

[Joe Perlo]

Re: Bedding a Bell & Carlson A2 stock

I was going to bed my stock but I figured I would just get a Bell & Carlson A2, not bed mine, and enjoy the new stock. Joe

 

[downhill]

Re: Bedding a Bell & Carlson A2 stock

Put a Tikka T3 Varmint in a Bell&Carson and it shoots so well I don't believe bedding could improve its performance!

 

[acloco]

Re: Bedding a Bell & Carlson A2 stock

The age old question...to bed, or not.

Just because you have torqued your action screws, rechecked the torque, and rechecked again, the recoil will allow the action to move in the stock. Why? (several could write MULTIPLE pages on the engineering and physics of why...but in short....)

The action screws are not a tight fit in the holes of 99% of most stocks. Recoil will allow the action to move fore/aft AND left/right (slightly).

By bedding the action to the stock, you have also increased the contact area between the action and stock. More contact, generally, equals more hold (dissimilar materials, blah, blah).

If you wonder if your action is walking in your stock, fire 20, 30 rounds..and take a peak. Look at the shiny lines on the bedding block where the 1/16" contact area between the action and stock interface.

How could this be? YOU are holding the stock stationary, touch the trigger, and recoil of the action begins when the round is fired.

But I tightened the two or three screws holding the action to the stock!?!?! Excellent! There will be some slight flexing of the action screws (especially on high recoil rounds), but, more than that, the action is moving because of the ID of the action screw holes is larger than the OD of the action screws, and the small contact area between the action and stock.