Gunsmithing bedding question

[kujo929]

I bought a rem 700 with a mcmillan stock that has some issues. I have taken care of some of the problems but have never bedded a rifle and have some questions. The action appears to be adequately bedded and the barrel is fully free floated. However the bottom metal (Seekins magazine kit) was not fitted properly and if the action screws are torqued down at all then the bottom metal is pulled up into the stock. The stock is not currently pillar bedded.

Can I just pillar bed the action to fit the bottom metal to the correct depth without rebedding the entire action? If not what is my recommended course of action? Also if anyone has any guidance on bedding the bottom metal I appreciate it. I've been reading everything I can on bedding but almost all of it is dedicated to bedding actions.

Thanks

 

[LRI]

Re: bedding question

99.9% of "factory" inlets are done so the parts drop in and at least "kinda" work.

With floor metals what often happens is the draft angle is off a bit. The way id tackle this is to first determine if the floor metal fits the stock w/o rocking. Install it and wiggle. If it rocks then (as you mentioned) it will distort as you snug up the screws.

Run a layer of tape around the floor metal. Do the sides and grease it up with release agent. Mix your resin, install and insert your screws with the threads just started in the receiver. The idea is to use them to align the parts. No tension!

When cured clean it up, assemble and see if the screws snug up w/o feeling squishy.

Good luck

C.

 

[LRI]

Re: bedding question

Double check your overlap between the bolt face/magazine lips.

 

[DAVETOOLEY]

Re: bedding question

I do essentially the same thind as Chad. I use JB -Weld Kwik, a 5 minute epoxy. I put release agent on both ends, holes anything that might come in contact with the epoxy. I then put a layer of epoxy on each end and place the bottom metal in the stock. I then take a Qtip and clean the holes out, use the screws to chech alignment and let it cure for about 10 minutes. While still some what soft i pop the metal out and take a razor knife and cut around the corners and clean the sides out so the metal can float inside the area inletted and on top of the new bedding. Let it cure over night and I'm good to go. May have to run a drill bit back through to cleanup any epoxy I missed during clean up.

 

[kujo929]

Re: bedding question

thanks for the help. So as long as I bed the bottom metal then I shouldn't need to pillar bed the action?

 

[USGUNWORKS]

Re: bedding question

I always recommend pillars. Even with bedding already done, the fill material that separates the action and bottom metal will crush with enough force applied to the screws. Ive seen it several times. pillar height is fairly critical. If the height can be compromised by over tightening action screws = Issues.....

 

[kujo929]

Re: bedding question

30cal,

Any recommended pillars for a first timer or are they all basically equal? I was thinking of getting the adjustable pillars rather than needing to machine them down to fit. Is that recommended?

 

[LRI]

Re: bedding question

My two bits:

Pillars are used in every rifle I build.. mine are likely the most exotic/over engineered in existance.

You pillar bed an action. The name is the description. You don't skin bed then later add pillars. Done right its all one operation.

I leave them long and qualify the height when fitting the bottom metal. A 1/2" endmill makes this quick work.

If you must trim prior then measure several times and cut once.

Good luck.

C.

 

[kujo929]

Re: bedding question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: C. Dixon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My two bits:

Pillars are used in every rifle I build.. mine are likely the most exotic/over engineered in existance.

You pillar bed an action. The name is the description. You don't skin bed then later add pillars. Done right its all one operation.

I leave them long and qualify the height when fitting the bottom metal. A 1/2" endmill makes this quick work.

If you must trim prior then measure several times and cut once.

Good luck.

C. </div></div>


So if I am understanding you correctly, I should hog out the bedding and start fresh, pillar bedding the action rather than trying to fix what should have been done when the gun shop set up this rifle? I kinda thought that may be required. Oh well, I wanted a project. It looks like I really got it with this one.